Novel Analysis Software for Detecting and Classifying Ca2+ Transient Abnormalities in Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes

PLoS One. 2015 Aug 26;10(8):e0135806. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135806. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Comprehensive functioning of Ca2+ cycling is crucial for excitation-contraction coupling of cardiomyocytes (CMs). Abnormal Ca2+ cycling is linked to arrhythmogenesis, which is associated with cardiac disorders and heart failure. Accordingly, we have generated spontaneously beating CMs from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) derived from patients with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), which is an inherited and severe cardiac disease. Ca2+ cycling studies have revealed substantial abnormalities in these CMs. Ca2+ transient analysis performed manually lacks accepted analysis criteria, and has both low throughput and high variability. To overcome these issues, we have developed a software tool, AnomalyExplorer based on interactive visualization, to assist in the classification of Ca2+ transient patterns detected in CMs. Here, we demonstrate the usability and capability of the software, and we also compare the analysis efficiency to manual analysis. We show that AnomalyExplorer is suitable for detecting normal and abnormal Ca2+ transients; furthermore, this method provides more defined and consistent information regarding the Ca2+ abnormality patterns and cell line specific differences when compared to manual analysis. This tool will facilitate and speed up the analysis of CM Ca2+ transients, making it both more accurate and user-independent. AnomalyExplorer can be exploited in Ca2+ cycling analysis to study basic disease pathology and the effects of different drugs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / physiology
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium Signaling / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Excitation Contraction Coupling
  • Humans
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Myocardial Contraction*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / cytology
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism*
  • Polymorphic Catecholaminergic Ventricular Tachycardia
  • Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel / metabolism*
  • Software*
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel
  • Calcium

Grants and funding

This work was supported by TEKES (http://www.tekes.fi/), Biocenter Finland (http://www.biocenter.fi/), the Finnish Cultural Foundation (https://www.skr.fi/en), the Finnish Cardiovascular Foundation (http://www.sydantutkimussaatio.fi/welcome-to-the-finnish-foundation-for-cardiovascular-research/?lang=en), Pirkanmaa Hospital District (EVO) funding (http://www.tays.fi/default.aspx?contentid=2488), the Council of Tampere Region (http://www.pirkanmaa.fi/en/home/council-tampere-region), the European Regional Development Fund (http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/agriculture/general_framework/g24234_en.htm), Ida Montin Foundation (http://www.idamontininsaatio.fi/pages/suomi/etusivu.php), the Aarne Koskelo Foundation (http://www.aarnekoskelonsaatio.fi/) and the Orion-Farmos Research Foundation (http://www.orion.fi/tutkimus/orionin-tutkimussaatio/). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.