Figure 8
Immunostaining of synchronized three cardiomyocyte network. (a) - (e) Phase-contrast images of arrangement and cultivation process of three cardiomyocyte network. (a) Agarose microchamber. (b) Two cardiomyocytes set in both ends of the microchambers (white arrowheads). (c) Two cardiomyocytes having different beating rhythms was observed 1 day after cultivation started. (d) The third cardiomyocyte set in the center microchamber (white arrow). (e) After their physical contact, all three cardiomyocytes synchronized (12 h after recultivation started). (f) Phase-contrast image of three cardiomyocyte after fixation with 4% Formaldehyde solution. (g) - (i) Fluorescence images of (g) Nucleus (Hoechst33342; blue), (h) connexin-43 (green), (i) heavy chain cardiac myosin (red). (j) Phase-contrast image superimposed on the fluorescence images (g) - (i).