Figure 9
Immunostaining of synchronized two cardiomyocytes connected by a fibroblast. (a) - (e) Phase-contrast images of arrangement process of cardiomyocytes and a fibroblast. (a) Agarose microchamber. (b) Two cardiomyocytes set in both ends of the microchambers (white arrowheads). (c) Two cardiomyocytes with different beating rhythms were observed 3 days after cultivation started. (d) A fibroblast set at the center of the microchambers (white arrow). (e) Two cardiomyocytes were synchronized through the fibroblast (12 h after recultivation started). (f) Phase-contrast image of two cardiomyocytes connected by a fibroblast 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).