Abstract
While ion channels and transporters involved in excitation-contraction coupling have been linked and constructed as comprehensive computational models, validation of whether each individual component of a model can be reused has not been previously attempted. Here we address this issue while using a novel modular modeling approach to investigate the underlying mechanism for the differences between left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV). Our model was developed from modules constructed using the module assembly principles of the CellML model markup language. The components of three existing separate models of cardiac function were disassembled as to create smaller modules, validated individually, and then the component parts were combined into a new integrative model of a rat ventricular myocyte. The model was implemented in OpenCOR using the CellML standard in order to ensure reproducibility. Simulated action potential (AP), Ca(2+) transient, and tension were in close agreement with our experimental measurements: LV AP showed a prolonged duration and a more prominent plateau compared with RV AP; Ca(2+) transient showed prolonged duration and slow decay in LV compared to RV; the peak value and relaxation of tension were larger and slower, respectively, in LV compared to RV. Our novel approach of module-based mathematical modeling has established that the ionic mechanisms underlying the APs and Ca(2+) handling play a role in the variation in force production between ventricles. This simulation process also provides a useful way to reuse and elaborate upon existing models in order to develop a new model.