Shedding Light on Cardiac Excitation: In Vitro and In Silico Analysis of Native Ca2+ Channel Activation in Guinea Pig Cardiomyocytes Using Organic Photovoltaic Devices.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the potential of organic electrolytic photocapacitors (OEPCs), an innovative photovoltaic device, in mediating the activation of native voltage-gated Cav1.2 channels (ICa,L) in Guinea pig ventricular cardiomyocytes. METHODS: Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were employed to examine light-triggered OEPC mediated ICa,L activation, integrating the channel's kinetic properties into a multicompartment cell model to take intracellular ion concentrations into account. A multidomain model was additionally incorporated to evaluate effects of OEPC-mediated stimulation. The final model combines external stimulation, multicompartmental cell simulation, and a patch-clamp amplifier equivalent circuit to assess the impact on achievable intracellular voltage changes. RESULTS: Light pulses activated ICa,L, with amplitudes similar to voltage-clamp activation and high sensitivity to the L-type Ca2+ channel blocker, nifedipine. Light-triggered ICa,L inactivation exhibited kinetic parameters comparable to voltage-induced inactivation. CONCLUSION: OEPC-mediated activation of ICa,L demonstrates their potential for nongenetic optical modulation of cellular physiology potentially paving the way for the development of innovative therapies in cardiovascular health. The integrated model proves the light-mediated activation of ICa,L and advances the understanding of the interplay between the patch-clamp amplifier and external stimulation devices. SIGNIFICANCE: Treating cardiac conduction disorders by minimal-invasive means without genetic modifications could advance therapeutic approaches increasing patients' quality of life compared with conventional methods employing electronic devices.

Micropyramid structured photo capacitive interfaces.

Optically driven electronic neuromodulation devices are a novel tool in basic research and offer new prospects in medical therapeutic applications. Optimal operation of such devices requires efficient light capture and charge generation, effective electrical communication across the device's bioelectronic interface, conformal adhesion to the target tissue, and mechanical stability of the device during the lifetime of the implant-all of which can be tuned by spatial structuring of the device. We demonstrate a 3D structured opto-bioelectronic device-an organic electrolytic photocapacitor spatially designed by depositing the active device layers on an inverted micropyramid-shaped substrate. Ultrathin, transparent, and flexible micropyramid-shaped foil was fabricated by chemical vapour deposition of parylene C on silicon moulds containing arrays of inverted micropyramids, followed by a peel-off procedure. The capacitive current delivered by the devices showed a strong dependency on the underlying spatial structure. The device performance was evaluated by numerical modelling. We propose that the developed numerical model can be used as a basis for the design of future functional 3D design of opto-bioelectronic devices and electrodes.