In vitro studies on single beating rat heart cells: I. Growth and organization

Experimental Cell Research

Volume 29, Issue 3, February 1963, Pages 451-465

Summary

1.
Single beating cells may be prepared from the young rat heart.
2.
These cells may beat for up to 40 days.
3.
The process of dedifferentiation is seemingly accompanied by loss of striations and cessation of beating.
4.
The histological appearance was discussed.
5.
Single independently beating cells grow into synchronously beating nets of cells and eventually develop into beating fibers. Synchrony depends upon protoplasmic contact.
6.
Two types of cells are seen, independent “leading” cells which may beat spontaneously and “following” cells which beat only upon contact with beating cells.

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¹: This work was supported in part by research grant No. A-2135 from the National Institutes of Health, U. S. Public Health Service, and under contract No. AT-04-1-GEN-12 between the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission and the University of California, Los Angeles.