Abstract:

Modeling of mechanisms involved in electrophysiology and tension development of cardiac myocytes can enhance the understanding of physiological and pathophysiological cardiac phenomena. Interactions of divers components are necessary for cellular electro-mechanics. Particularly, the interactions between proteins in the cell membrane, sarcoplasmic reticulum and sarcomere are of importance. In this work hybrid electro-mechanical models of cardiac myocytes were derived on basis of recently developed models as well as of measurements ranging from protein to multi-cell level. The models quantify dynamically the electrophysiology and tension development by states, partly associated to configurations of the involved proteins, and the transition between these states. The models allow the reconstruction of electro-mechanical phenomena. Results of simulations with the hybrid models were performed illustrating their properties. The models may help to clarify feedback and cooperativity mechanisms, pathophysiological changes and metabolism of myocytes.