Can photothermal gold nanoparticle mediated laser manipulation be applied to induce cardiac contraction? Based on our previous work, we present a novel concept of cell stimulation. A 532 nm picosecond laser was employed to heat gold nanoparticles on cardiomyocytes. This leads to calcium oscillations in the HL-1 cardiomyocyte cell line. As calcium is connected to the contractility, we aimed to alter the contraction rate of native and stem cell derived cardiomyocytes. A contraction rate increase was particularly observed in calcium containing buffer with neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Consequently, the study provides conceptual ideas for a light based, nanoparticle mediated stimulation system. References and links1. X. Huang, P. K. Jain, I. H. El-Sayed, and M. A. El-Sayed, "Gold nanoparticles: interesting optical properties and recent applications in cancer diagnostics and therapy," Nanomedicine (Lond.) 2(5), 681-693 (2007). 2. H. Jans and Q. Huo, "Gold nanoparticle-enabled biological and chemical detection and analysis," Chem. Soc.Rev. 41(7), 2849-2866 (2012). 3. X. Huang, P. K. Jain, I. H. El-Sayed, and M. A. El-Sayed, "Plasmonic photothermal therapy (PPTT) using gold nanoparticles," Lasers Med. Sci. 23(3), 217-228 (2008). 4. Z. Qin and J. C. Bischof, "Thermophysical and biological responses of gold nanoparticle laser heating," Chem.Soc. Rev. 41(3), 1191-1217 (2012 Heisterkamp, "Optical and electron microscopy study of laser-based intracellular molecule delivery using peptide-conjugated photodispersible gold nanoparticle agglomerates," J. Nanobiotechnology 14(1), 2 (2016). Junghanß, H. Meyer, H. Murua Escobar, and A. Heisterkamp, "Biophysical effects in off-resonant gold nanoparticle mediated (GNOME) laser transfection of cell lines, primary-and stem cells using fs laser pulses," J.

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Whereas it is evident that a well aligned and regular sarcomeric structure in cardiomyocytes is vital for heart function, considerably less is known about the contribution of individual elements to the mechanics of the entire cell. For instance, it is unclear whether altered Z-disc elements are the reason or the outcome of related cardiomyopathies. Therefore, it is crucial to gain more insight into this cellular organization. This study utilizes femtosecond laser-based nanosurgery to better understand sarcomeres and their repair upon damage. We investigated the influence of the extent and the location of the Z-disc damage. A single, three, five or ten Z-disc ablations were performed in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. We employed image-based analysis using a self-written software together with different already published algorithms. We observed that cardiomyocyte survival associated with the damage extent, but not with the cell area or the total number of Z-discs per cell. The cell survival is independent of the damage position and can be compensated. However, the sarcomere alignment/orientation is changing over time after ablation. The contraction time is also independent of the extent of damage for the tested parameters. Additionally, we observed shortening rates between 6–7% of the initial sarcomere length in laser treated cardiomyocytes. This rate is an important indicator for force generation in myocytes. In conclusion, femtosecond laser-based nanosurgery together with image-based sarcomere tracking is a powerful tool to better understand the Z-disc complex and its force propagation function and role in cellular mechanisms.

The proper function of cardiomyocytes (CMs) is highly related to the Z-disc, which has a pivotal role in orchestrating the sarcomeric cytoskeletal function. To better understand Z-disc related cardiomyopathies, novel models of Z-disc damage have to be developed. Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived CMs can serve as an in vitro model to better understand the sarcomeric cytoskeleton. A femtosecond laser system can be applied for localized and defined damage application within cells as single Z-discs can be removed. We have investigated the changes in force generation via traction force microscopy, and in gene expression after Z-disc manipulation in hPSC-derived CMs. We observed a significant weakening of force generation after removal of a Z-disc. However, no significant changes of the number of contractions after manipulation were detected. The stress related gene NF-kB was significantly upregulated. Additionally, α-actinin (ACTN2) and filamin-C (FLNc) were upregulated, pointing to remodeling of the Z-disc and the sarcomeric cytoskeleton. Ultimately, cardiac troponin I (TNNI3) and cardiac muscle troponin T (TNNT2) were significantly downregulated. Our results allow a better understanding of transcriptional coupling of Z-disc damage and the relation of damage to force generation and can therefore finally pave the way to novel therapies of sarcomeric disorders.