Publications by authors named "Marbely C Fernandez"

Article Synopsis
  • The study aims to understand the immune cell composition in human atherosclerotic plaques, which differs significantly from what is observed in mouse models, often used for research.
  • Single-cell RNA sequencing was employed to reveal a diverse immune cell landscape in human plaques, primarily consisting of T-cells, highlighting activation and memory formation that aren't adequately represented in mice.
  • The findings suggest that traditional mouse models may not effectively translate to human atherosclerosis, particularly regarding activated T-cell responses, posing questions about their relevance in studying adaptive immune cell behavior.
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Background: Although aging is known to be associated with an increased incidence of both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, there is limited knowledge about how Schwann cells (SC) and the intracardiac nervous system (iCNS) remodel with age. Here we investigate the differences in cardiac SC, parasympathetic nerve fibers, and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M2 (M2R) expression in young and old mice. Additionally, we examine age-related changes in cardiac responses to sympathomimetic and parasympathomimetic drugs.

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Aims: Macrophages (MΦ), known for immunological roles, such as phagocytosis and antigen presentation, have been found to electrotonically couple to cardiomyocytes (CM) of the atrioventricular node via Cx43, affecting cardiac conduction in isolated mouse hearts. Here, we characterize passive and active electrophysiological properties of murine cardiac resident MΦ, and model their potential electrophysiological relevance for CM.

Methods And Results: We combined classic electrophysiological approaches with 3D florescence imaging, RNA-sequencing, pharmacological interventions, and computer simulations.

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Optogenetic approaches have evolved as potent means to investigate cardiac electrophysiology, with research ranging from the study of arrhythmia mechanisms to effects of cardiac innervation and heterocellular structural and functional interactions, both in healthy and diseased myocardium. Most commonly, these studies use channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2)-expressing murine models that enable light-activated depolarization of the target cell population. However, each newly generated mouse line requires thorough characterization, as cell-type specific ChR2 expression cannot be taken for granted, and the electrophysiological response of its activation in the target cell should be evaluated.

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Pomolic acid (PA) isolated from Licania pittieri has hypotensive effects in rats, inhibits human platelet aggregation and elicits endothelium-dependent relaxation in rat aortic rings. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of PA on cardiomyocytes. Trabeculae and enzymatically isolated cardiomyocytes from rats were used to evaluate the concentration-dependent effects of PA on cardiac muscle tension and excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) by recording Ca transients reported with Fluo-3 and Fura-2, as well as L-type Ca currents (LTCC).

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