Subcellular calcium dynamics in a whole-cell model of an atrial myocyte

Thul, Ruediger, Coombes, Stephen, Roderick, H. Llewelyn and Bootman, Martin D. (2012) Subcellular calcium dynamics in a whole-cell model of an atrial myocyte. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109 (6). pp. 2150-2155. ISSN 1091-6490

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Abstract

In this study, we present an innovative mathematical modeling approach that allows detailed characterization of Ca(2+) movement within the three-dimensional volume of an atrial myocyte. Essential aspects of the model are the geometrically realistic representation of Ca(2+) release sites and physiological Ca(2+) flux parameters, coupled with a computationally inexpensive framework. By translating nonlinear Ca(2+) excitability into threshold dynamics, we avoid the computationally demanding time stepping of the partial differential equations that are often used to model Ca(2+) transport. Our approach successfully reproduces key features of atrial myocyte Ca(2+) signaling observed using confocal imaging. In particular, the model displays the centripetal Ca(2+) waves that occur within atrial myocytes during excitation-contraction coupling, and the effect of positive inotropic stimulation on the spatial profile of the Ca(2+) signals. Beyond this validation of the model, our simulation reveals unexpected observations about the spread of Ca(2+) within an atrial myocyte. In particular, the model describes the movement of Ca(2+) between ryanodine receptor clusters within a specific z disk of an atrial myocyte. Furthermore, we demonstrate that altering the strength of Ca(2+) release, ryanodine receptor refractoriness, the magnitude of initiating stimulus, or the introduction of stochastic Ca(2+) channel activity can cause the nucleation of proarrhythmic traveling Ca(2+) waves. The model provides clinically relevant insights into the initiation and propagation of subcellular Ca(2+) signals that are currently beyond the scope of imaging technology.

Item Type: Article
RIS ID: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1009427
Additional Information: Copyright: National Academy of Sciences
Schools/Departments: University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Science > School of Mathematical Sciences
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1115855109
Depositing User: Thul, Dr Ruediger
Date Deposited: 21 Dec 2012 17:22
Last Modified: 04 May 2020 20:22
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/1761

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