Figure 5.

Normalization of transient heterogeneity following reverse remodeling of failing cardiomyocytes by SERCA2a gene therapy.

A. Representative images of Ca²⁺ transients acquired by line-scanning confocal microscopy in control (C, n=20), heart failure (HF, n=24) and HF+SERCA2a cardiomyocytes (HF+S, n=19). Images are F/F₀ corrected and the scales normalised to peak amplitude. Magnified sections from the corresponding white box on each transient, smoothed and the contrast enhanced to demonstrate the leading edge of the electrical field-stimulated Ca²⁺ transients, are shown in the centre panel.

B. Comparison of dyssynchrony in C, HF and HF+S Ca²⁺ transients showing a significant increase in heterogeneity in HF which was reduced with SERCA2a gene therapy. SD TT50M - standard deviation of time to 50% maximum amplitude of subtransients along the longitudinal axis of the cardiomyocyte. Data presented as mean±SEM. *p<0.05 vs HF.

C. Comparison of rise time of Ca²⁺ transients in C, HF and HF+S cells (mean±SEM). The reduction in heterogeneity in the SERCA2a treated myocytes corresponded with a significant reduction in 10-90% rise time. *p<0.05 vs HF.