title: Multi-beam two-photon imaging of fast Ca2+ signals in the Langendorff mouse heart.
abstract: Although the role of calcium (Ca(2+)) in excitation-contraction coupling in the heart can be comprehensively studied at the cellular level, propagation of Ca(2+) signals intercellularly requires tissue-based investigations. To access cells below the epicardium, an optical-sectioning technique is necessary. Multi-photon microscopy allows reliable imaging for penetration to depths of up to 0.5 mm. Here, we provide a protocol that uses multibeam two-photon microscopy for measuring Ca(2+) signals in a Langendorff-perfused mouse heart.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of California at Davis, Davis, California; Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Research Center for Molecular Imaging and Screening, School of Medicine, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hammer
authors.affiliation: Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Research Center for Molecular Imaging and Screening, School of Medicine, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lipp
authors.affiliation: Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Research Center for Molecular Imaging and Screening, School of Medicine, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kaestner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D036641:Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton / Q000379:methods*; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000379:methods*