Isolating Ventricular Cardiomyocytes from a Mouse Model of Doxorubicin Cardiotoxicity

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective chemotherapeutic drug whose clinical application is limited by progressive, dose-dependent cardiotoxicity that predominantly affects the ventricular myocardium. Studying cellular injury mechanisms in this context requires reliable isolation of adult cardiomyocytes, a process that is technically challenging in diseased or structurally fragile hearts. Here, we describe a simplified and reproducible Langendorff-free protocol for isolating functional ventricular cardiomyocytes from mice with DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. After establishing the DOX model in C57BL/6 mice, the heart is rapidly excised, and the aorta is clamped ex vivo. Non-recirculating antegrade perfusion is performed directly through the left ventricle using calcium-free and enzyme-containing buffers. Gentle mechanical dissociation of digested ventricular tissue yields individual cardiomyocytes, followed by controlled calcium reintroduction to restore calcium tolerance. This method provides high-quality, viable, rod-shaped cardiomyocytes that are compatible with downstream assays, including immunofluorescence, sarcomere organization analysis, apoptosis detection, and molecular signaling studies. By eliminating the need for specialized Langendorff perfusion equipment, this protocol offers an accessible, high-yield solution for laboratories investigating mechanisms of DOX-induced cardiac injury.