title: Measurement of force developed by a single cardiac myocyte using novel carbon fibers.
abstract: In order to study the mechanical activity of a single cardiac myocyte under a wide range of load, we have developed a novel force measurement system using carbon fibers. Newly fabricated Graphite Reinforced by Carbon (GRC) fibers greatly facilitate the firm attachment of cell membrane to the fibers. A pair of fibers was attached to both ends of the cell; the rigid fiber as a mechanical ground and the compliant fiber for the strain gauge. By connecting the compliant fiber to the piezoelectric translator and applying the position signal to the driver, we could make the myocyte contract under isometric condition. Feedback control of the system also enabled us to study the relation between work output and the load. This system can be a useful tool in studying the mechanical activity of the cardiac myocyte under genetic as well as pharmacological interventions.
authors.affiliation: Author Institute of Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
authors.forename: Seiryo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sugiura
authors.forename: So-ichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yasuda
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamashita
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: Yasutake
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Saeki
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kaneko
authors.forename: Yoshihisa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Suda
authors.forename: Ryozo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nagai
authors.forename: Haruo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sugi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001671:Biochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D006108:Graphite; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology*; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000166:cytology*; D011107:Polylysine / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D011107:Polylysine; D002244:Carbon; D006108:Graphite