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Bannerman D, Pascual-Gil S, Wu Q, Fernandes I, Zhao Y, Wagner KT, Okhovatian S, Landau S, Rafatian N, Bodenstein DF, Wang Y, Nash TR, Vunjak-Novakovic G, Keller G, Epelman S, Radisic M. Heart-on-a-Chip Model of Epicardial-Myocardial Interaction in Ischemia Reperfusion Injury. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2302642. [PMID: 38683053 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Epicardial cells (EPIs) form the outer layer of the heart and play an important role in development and disease. Current heart-on-a-chip platforms still do not fully mimic the native cardiac environment due to the absence of relevant cell types, such as EPIs. Here, using the Biowire II platform, engineered cardiac tissues with an epicardial outer layer and inner myocardial structure are constructed, and an image analysis approach is developed to track the EPI cell migration in a beating myocardial environment. Functional properties of EPI cardiac tissues improve over two weeks in culture. In conditions mimicking ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI), the EPI cardiac tissues experience less cell death and a lower impact on functional properties. EPI cell coverage is significantly reduced and more diffuse under normoxic conditions compared to the post-IRI conditions. Upon IRI, migration of EPI cells into the cardiac tissue interior is observed, with contributions to alpha smooth muscle actin positive cell population. Altogether, a novel heart-on-a-chip model is designed to incorporate EPIs through a formation process that mimics cardiac development, and this work demonstrates that EPI cardiac tissues respond to injury differently than epicardium-free controls, highlighting the importance of including EPIs in heart-on-a-chip constructs that aim to accurately mimic the cardiac environment.
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Keller G, Corvalan N, Carello MA, Arruabarrena MM, Martínez-Canyazo C, De Los Santos L, Spehrs J, Vila-Castelar C, Allegri RF, Quiroz YT, Crivelli L. Performance on the Latin American version of the Face-Name Associative Memory Exam (LAS-FNAME) distinguishes individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment from age-matched controls in a sample from Argentina. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. ADULT 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38447166 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2024.2323627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Latin American Spanish version of the Face-Name Associative Memory Exam (LAS-FNAME) has shown promise in identifying cognitive changes in those at risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, its applicability for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) detection in the Latin American population remains unexplored. This study aims to analyze the psychometric properties in terms of validity and reliability and diagnostic performance of the LAS-FNAME for the detection of memory disorders in patients with amnestic MCI (aMCI). MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 31 participants with aMCI, diagnosed by a neurologist according to Petersen's criteria, and 19 healthy controls. Inclusion criteria for the aMCI group were to be 60 years of age or older, report cognitive complaints, have a memory test score (Craft Story 21) below a -1.5 z-score and have preserved functioning in activities of daily living. Participants completed LAS-FNAME and a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. RESULTS LAS-FNAME showed the ability to discriminate against healthy controls from patients with aMCI (AUC= 75) in comparison with a gold-standard memory test (AUC = 69.1). LAS-FNAME also showed evidence of concurrent and divergent validity with a standard memory test (RAVLT) (r = 0.58, p < .001) and with an attention task (Digit Span) (r = -0.37, p = .06). Finally, the reliability index was very high (α = 0.88). DISCUSSION LAS-FNAME effectively distinguished aMCI patients from healthy controls, suggesting its potential for detecting early cognitive changes in Alzheimer's prodromal stages among Spanish speakers.
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Strohm EM, Callaghan NI, Ding Y, Latifi N, Rafatian N, Funakoshi S, Fernandes I, Reitz CJ, Di Paola M, Gramolini AO, Radisic M, Keller G, Kolios MC, Simmons CA. Noninvasive Quantification of Contractile Dynamics in Cardiac Cells, Spheroids, and Organs-on-a-Chip Using High-Frequency Ultrasound. ACS NANO 2024; 18:314-327. [PMID: 38147684 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c06325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Cell-based models that mimic in vivo heart physiology are poised to make significant advances in cardiac disease modeling and drug discovery. In these systems, cardiomyocyte (CM) contractility is an important functional metric, but current measurement methods are inaccurate and low-throughput or require complex setups. To address this need, we developed a standalone noninvasive, label-free ultrasound technique operating at 40-200 MHz to measure the contractile kinetics of cardiac models, ranging from single adult CMs to 3D microtissue constructs in standard cell culture formats. The high temporal resolution of 1000 fps resolved the beat profile of single mouse CMs paced at up to 9 Hz, revealing limitations of lower speed optical based measurements to resolve beat kinetics or characterize aberrant beats. Coupling of ultrasound with traction force microscopy enabled the measurement of the CM longitudinal modulus and facile estimation of adult mouse CM contractile forces of 2.34 ± 1.40 μN, comparable to more complex measurement techniques. Similarly, the beat rate, rhythm, and drug responses of CM spheroid and microtissue models were measured, including in configurations without optical access. In conclusion, ultrasound can be used for the rapid characterization of CM contractile function in a wide range of commonly studied configurations ranging from single cells to 3D tissue constructs using standard well plates and custom microdevices, with applications in cardiac drug discovery and cardiotoxicity evaluation.
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Fernandes I, Funakoshi S, Hamidzada H, Epelman S, Keller G. Modeling cardiac fibroblast heterogeneity from human pluripotent stem cell-derived epicardial cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8183. [PMID: 38081833 PMCID: PMC10713677 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43312-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac fibroblasts play an essential role in the development of the heart and are implicated in disease progression in the context of fibrosis and regeneration. Here, we establish a simple organoid culture platform using human pluripotent stem cell-derived epicardial cells and ventricular cardiomyocytes to study the development, maturation, and heterogeneity of cardiac fibroblasts under normal conditions and following treatment with pathological stimuli. We demonstrate that this system models the early interactions between epicardial cells and cardiomyocytes to generate a population of fibroblasts that recapitulates many aspects of fibroblast behavior in vivo, including changes associated with maturation and in response to pathological stimuli associated with cardiac injury. Using single cell transcriptomics, we show that the hPSC-derived organoid fibroblast population displays a high degree of heterogeneity that approximates the heterogeneity of populations in both the normal and diseased human heart. Additionally, we identify a unique subpopulation of fibroblasts possessing reparative features previously characterized in the hearts of model organisms. Taken together, our system recapitulates many aspects of human cardiac fibroblast specification, development, and maturation, providing a platform to investigate the role of these cells in human cardiovascular development and disease.
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Wauchop M, Rafatian N, Zhao Y, Chen W, Gagliardi M, Massé S, Cox BJ, Lai P, Liang T, Landau S, Protze S, Gao XD, Wang EY, Tung KC, Laksman Z, Lu RXZ, Keller G, Nanthakumar K, Radisic M, Backx PH. Maturation of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes in a heart-on-a-chip device enables modeling of dilated cardiomyopathy caused by R222Q-SCN5A mutation. Biomaterials 2023; 301:122255. [PMID: 37651922 PMCID: PMC10942743 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
To better understand sodium channel (SCN5A)-related cardiomyopathies, we generated ventricular cardiomyocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells obtained from a dilated cardiomyopathy patient harbouring the R222Q mutation, which is only expressed in adult SCN5A isoforms. Because the adult SCN5A isoform was poorly expressed, without functional differences between R222Q and control in both embryoid bodies and cell sheet preparations (cultured for 29-35 days), we created heart-on-a-chip biowires which promote myocardial maturation. Indeed, biowires expressed primarily adult SCN5A with R222Q preparations displaying (arrhythmogenic) short action potentials, altered Na+ channel biophysical properties and lower contractility compared to corrected controls. Comprehensive RNA sequencing revealed differential gene regulation between R222Q and control biowires in cellular pathways related to sarcoplasmic reticulum and dystroglycan complex as well as biological processes related to calcium ion regulation and action potential. Additionally, R222Q biowires had marked reductions in actin expression accompanied by profound sarcoplasmic disarray, without differences in cell composition (fibroblast, endothelial cells, and cardiomyocytes) compared to corrected biowires. In conclusion, we demonstrate that in addition to altering cardiac electrophysiology and Na+ current, the R222Q mutation also causes profound sarcomere disruptions and mechanical destabilization. Possible mechanisms for these observations are discussed.
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Baniya P, Tebyani M, Asefifeyzabadi N, Nguyen T, Hernandez C, Zhu K, Li H, Selberg J, Hsieh HC, Pansodtee P, Yang HY, Recendez C, Keller G, Hee WS, Aslankoohi E, Isseroff RR, Zhao M, Gomez M, Rolandi M, Teodorescu M. A system for bioelectronic delivery of treatment directed toward wound healing. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14766. [PMID: 37679425 PMCID: PMC10485133 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41572-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of wearable bioelectronic systems is a promising approach for optimal delivery of therapeutic treatments. These systems can provide continuous delivery of ions, charged biomolecules, and an electric field for various medical applications. However, rapid prototyping of wearable bioelectronic systems for controlled delivery of specific treatments with a scalable fabrication process is challenging. We present a wearable bioelectronic system comprised of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) device cast in customizable 3D printed molds and a printed circuit board (PCB), which employs commercially available engineering components and tools throughout design and fabrication. The system, featuring solution-filled reservoirs, embedded electrodes, and hydrogel-filled capillary tubing, is assembled modularly. The PDMS and PCB both contain matching through-holes designed to hold metallic contact posts coated with silver epoxy, allowing for mechanical and electrical integration. This assembly scheme allows us to interchange subsystem components, such as various PCB designs and reservoir solutions. We present three PCB designs: a wired version and two battery-powered versions with and without onboard memory. The wired design uses an external voltage controller for device actuation. The battery-powered PCB design uses a microcontroller unit to enable pre-programmed applied voltages and deep sleep mode to prolong battery run time. Finally, the battery-powered PCB with onboard memory is developed to record delivered currents, which enables us to verify treatment dose delivered. To demonstrate the functionality of the platform, the devices are used to deliver H[Formula: see text] in vivo using mouse models and fluoxetine ex vivo using a simulated wound environment. Immunohistochemistry staining shows an improvement of 35.86% in the M1/M2 ratio of H[Formula: see text]-treated wounds compared with control wounds, indicating the potential of the platform to improve wound healing.
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Stocker G, Lorenzen S, Ettrich T, Herz AL, Longo F, Kiani A, Venerito M, Trojan J, Mahlberg R, Moosmann N, Chibaudel B, Kubicka S, Greil R, Daum S, Geissler M, Larcher-Senn J, Keller G, Lordick F, Haag GM. S-1 maintenance therapy in Caucasian patients with metastatic esophagogastric adenocarcinoma-final results of the randomized AIO MATEO phase II trial. ESMO Open 2023; 8:101572. [PMID: 37270871 PMCID: PMC10373924 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2023.101572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Platinum-fluoropyrimidine combinations are standard of care for treatment of metastatic esophagogastric adenocarcinoma. The optimal duration of first-line chemotherapy is unknown, however, and maintenance strategies have not yet been established. DESIGN MATEO is an international randomized phase II trial exploring efficacy and safety of S-1 maintenance therapy in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced esophagogastric adenocarcinoma. After 3 months of first-line platinum-fluoropyrimidine-based induction therapy, patients without progression were randomized in a 2 : 1 allocation to receive S-1 monotherapy (arm A) or to continue combination chemotherapy (arm B). The primary objective was to show non-inferiority of overall survival in the S-1 maintenance group. Progression-free survival, adverse events, and quality of life were secondary endpoints. RESULTS From 2014 to 2019, 110 and 55 patients were randomized in arm A and arm B, respectively (recruitment closed prematurely). Median overall survival from randomization was 13.4 months for arm A and 11.4 months for arm B [hazard ratio 0.97 (80% confidence interval 0.76-1.23), P = 0.86]. Median progression-free survival from randomization was 4.3 and 6.1 months for arm A versus arm B, respectively [hazard ratio 1.10 (80% confidence interval 0.86-1.39), P = 0.62]. Patients in arm A had numerically fewer treatment-related adverse events (84.9% versus 93.9%) and significantly less peripheral sensory polyneuropathy ≥grade 2 (9.4% versus 36.7%). CONCLUSIONS S-1 maintenance following platinum-based induction therapy leads to non-inferior survival outcomes compared with the continuation of platinum-based combination. Toxicity patterns favor a fluoropyrimidine maintenance strategy. These data challenge the continued use of platinum combination chemotherapy after response to 3 months induction therapy in patients with advanced human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative esophagogastric adenocarcinoma.
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Dhahri W, Sadikov Valdman T, Wilkinson D, Pereira E, Ceylan E, Andharia N, Qiang B, Masoudpour H, Wulkan F, Quesnel E, Jiang W, Funakoshi S, Mazine A, Gomez-Garcia MJ, Latifi N, Jiang Y, Huszti E, Simmons CA, Keller G, Laflamme MA. In Vitro Matured Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Cardiomyocytes Form Grafts With Enhanced Structure and Function in Injured Hearts. Circulation 2022; 145:1412-1426. [PMID: 35089805 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.121.053563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) have tremendous promise for application in cardiac regeneration, but their translational potential is limited by an immature phenotype. We hypothesized that large-scale manufacturing of mature hPSC-CMs could be achieved via culture on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) lined roller bottles and that the transplantation of these cells would mediate better structural and functional outcomes than with conventional immature hPSC-CM populations. METHODS We comprehensively phenotyped hPSC-CMs after in vitro maturation for 20 and 40 days on either PDMS or standard tissue culture plastic (TCP) substrates. All hPSC-CMs were generated using a transgenic hPSC line that stably expressed a voltage-sensitive fluorescent reporter to facilitate in vitro and in vivo electrophysiological studies, and cardiomyocyte populations were also analyzed in vitro by immunocytochemistry, ultrastructure and fluorescent calcium imaging, as well as bulk and single-cell transcriptomics. We next compared outcomes after the transplantation of these populations into a guinea pig model of myocardial infarction (MI) using endpoints including histology, optical mapping of graft- and host-derived action potentials, echocardiography, and telemetric electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring. RESULTS We demonstrated the economic generation of >1x108 mature hPSC-CMs per PDMS-lined roller bottle. Compared to their counterparts generated on TCP substrates, PDMS-matured hPSC-CMs exhibited increased cardiac gene expression and more mature structural and functional properties in vitro. More importantly, intra-cardiac grafts formed with PDMS-matured myocytes showed greatly enhanced structure and alignment, better host-graft electromechanical integration, less pro-arrhythmic behavior, and greater beneficial effects on contractile function. CONCLUSIONS In summary, we describe practical methods for the scaled generation of mature hPSC-CMs and provide the first evidence that the transplantation of more mature cardiomyocytes yields better outcomes in vivo.
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Williams K, Liang T, Massé S, Khan S, Hatkar R, Keller G, Nanthakumar K, Nunes SS. A 3-D human model of complex cardiac arrhythmias. Acta Biomater 2021; 132:149-161. [PMID: 33713861 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias impact over 12 million people globally, with an increasing incidence of acquired arrhythmias. Although animal models have shed light onto fundamental arrhythmic mechanisms, species-specific differences and ethical concerns remain. Current human models using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) either lack the higher order tissue organization of the heart or implement unreliable arrhythmia induction techniques. Our goal was to develop a robust model of acquired arrhythmia by disrupting cardiomyocyte cell-cell signaling - one of the hallmarks of complex arrhythmias. Human 3D microtissues were generated by seeding hydrogel-embedded hiPSC-CMs and cardiac fibroblasts into an established microwell system designed to enable active and passive force assessment. Cell-cell signaling was disrupted using methyl-beta cyclodextrin (MBCD), previously shown to disassemble cardiac gap junctions. We demonstrate that arrhythmias were progressive and present in all microtissues within 5 days of treatment. Arrhythmic tissues exhibited reduced conduction velocity, an increased number of distinct action potentials, and reduced action potential cycle length. Arrhythmic tissues also showed significant reduction in contractile force generation, increased beating frequency, and increased passive tension and collagen deposition, in line with fibrosis. A subset of tissues with more complex arrhythmias exhibited 3D spatial differences in action potential propagation. Pharmacological and electrical defibrillation was successful. Transcriptomic data indicated an enrichment of genes consistent with cardiac arrhythmias. MBCD removal reversed the arrhythmic phenotype, resulting in synchronicity despite not resolving fibrosis. This innovative & reliable human-relevant 3D acquired arrhythmia model shows potential for improving our understanding of arrhythmic action potential conduction and furthering therapeutic development. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This work describes a 3D human model of cardiac arrhythmia-on-a-chip with high reproducibility, fidelity, and extensive functional applicability. To mimic in vivo conditions, human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) and cardiac fibroblasts from healthy controls were combined in a biocompatible fibrin hydrogel and seeded between two deflectable polymeric rods. Using the innate functional properties of this 3D model as well as advanced optical imaging techniques we demonstrated dramatic changes in contraction rate, synchronicity, and electrophysiological conduction in arrhythmic tissues relative to controls. Taken together, these data demonstrate the distinctive potential of this new model for pathophysiological studies, and for arrhythmia drug testing applications.
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Sun X, Wu J, Qiang B, Romagnuolo R, Gagliardi M, Keller G, Laflamme MA, Li RK, Nunes SS. Transplanted microvessels improve pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte engraftment and cardiac function after infarction in rats. Sci Transl Med 2021; 12:12/562/eaax2992. [PMID: 32967972 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aax2992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) offer an unprecedented opportunity to remuscularize infarcted human hearts. However, studies have shown that most hiPSC-CMs do not survive after transplantation into the ischemic myocardial environment, limiting their regenerative potential and clinical application. We established a method to improve hiPSC-CM survival by cotransplanting ready-made microvessels obtained from adipose tissue. Ready-made microvessels promoted a sixfold increase in hiPSC-CM survival and superior functional recovery when compared to hiPSC-CMs transplanted alone or cotransplanted with a suspension of dissociated endothelial cells in infarcted rat hearts. Microvessels showed unprecedented persistence and integration at both early (~80%, week 1) and late (~60%, week 4) time points, resulting in increased vessel density and graft perfusion, and improved hiPSC-CM maturation. These findings provide an approach to cell-based therapies for myocardial infarction, whereby incorporation of ready-made microvessels can improve functional outcomes in cell replacement therapies.
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Funakoshi S, Fernandes I, Mastikhina O, Wilkinson D, Tran T, Dhahri W, Mazine A, Yang D, Burnett B, Lee J, Protze S, Bader GD, Nunes SS, Laflamme M, Keller G. Generation of mature compact ventricular cardiomyocytes from human pluripotent stem cells. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3155. [PMID: 34039977 PMCID: PMC8155185 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23329-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Compact cardiomyocytes that make up the ventricular wall of the adult heart represent an important therapeutic target population for modeling and treating cardiovascular diseases. Here, we established a differentiation strategy that promotes the specification, proliferation and maturation of compact ventricular cardiomyocytes from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). The cardiomyocytes generated under these conditions display the ability to use fatty acids as an energy source, a high mitochondrial mass, well-defined sarcomere structures and enhanced contraction force. These ventricular cells undergo metabolic changes indicative of those associated with heart failure when challenged in vitro with pathological stimuli and were found to generate grafts consisting of more mature cells than those derived from immature cardiomyocytes following transplantation into infarcted rat hearts. hPSC-derived atrial cardiomyocytes also responded to the maturation cues identified in this study, indicating that the approach is broadly applicable to different subtypes of the heart. Collectively, these findings highlight the power of recapitulating key aspects of embryonic and postnatal development for generating therapeutically relevant cell types from hPSCs. Cardiomyocytes of heart ventricles consist of subpopulations of trabecular and compact subtypes. Here the authors describe the generation of structurally, metabolically and functionally mature compact ventricular cardiomyocytes as well as mature atrial cardiomyocytes from human pluripotent stem cells.
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Harbowy R, Nielsen B, Logan A, Pritchard A, Vergara-Hernandez F, Li J, Keller G, Robison C, Herkelman K. 148 Analysis of purported insulin modulators on glycemic and insulinemic responses to various feeds in mature horses. J Equine Vet Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Siraj MA, Mundil D, Beca S, Momen A, Shikatani EA, Afroze T, Sun X, Liu Y, Ghaffari S, Lee W, Wheeler MB, Keller G, Backx P, Husain M. Cardioprotective GLP-1 metabolite prevents ischemic cardiac injury by inhibiting mitochondrial trifunctional protein-α. J Clin Invest 2020; 130:1392-1404. [PMID: 31985487 DOI: 10.1172/jci99934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanisms mediating the cardioprotective actions of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) were unknown. Here, we show in both ex vivo and in vivo models of ischemic injury that treatment with GLP-1(28-36), a neutral endopeptidase-generated (NEP-generated) metabolite of GLP-1, was as cardioprotective as GLP-1 and was abolished by scrambling its amino acid sequence. GLP-1(28-36) enters human coronary artery endothelial cells (caECs) through macropinocytosis and acts directly on mouse and human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (caSMCs) and caECs, resulting in soluble adenylyl cyclase Adcy10-dependent (sAC-dependent) increases in cAMP, activation of protein kinase A, and cytoprotection from oxidative injury. GLP-1(28-36) modulates sAC by increasing intracellular ATP levels, with accompanying cAMP accumulation lost in sAC-/- cells. We identify mitochondrial trifunctional protein-α (MTPα) as a binding partner of GLP-1(28-36) and demonstrate that the ability of GLP-1(28-36) to shift substrate utilization from oxygen-consuming fatty acid metabolism toward oxygen-sparing glycolysis and glucose oxidation and to increase cAMP levels is dependent on MTPα. NEP inhibition with sacubitril blunted the ability of GLP-1 to increase cAMP levels in coronary vascular cells in vitro. GLP-1(28-36) is a small peptide that targets novel molecular (MTPα and sAC) and cellular (caSMC and caEC) mechanisms in myocardial ischemic injury.
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Ballan N, Shaheen N, Keller G, Gepstein L. Measuring the systolic and the diastolic properties of single human pluripotent stem-cell cardiomyocyte for drug testing and disease modeling. Eur Heart J 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.3580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The advent of human pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) provided exciting tools for cardiovascular physiological studies, disease modeling and drug testing applications. Current platforms for studying the mechanical properties of human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) as single-cells do not measure forces directly, require numerous assumptions, and cannot study cell mechanics at different loading conditions.
Objective
To establish a novel platform to assess the active and passive mechanical properties of single-cell hPSC-CMs at different loading conditions and to demonstrate the potential of this approach for drug testing and disease modeling applications.
Methods and results
To allow morphological maturation, hPSC-CMs were treated with Tri-iodo-thyronine hormone, dexamethasone and Insulin-like growth factor-1. The hPSC-CM were then lifted and attached to a highly sensitive optical-force transducer and a piezoelectric length controller and electrically-stimulated. The attached hPSC-CM remained intact and contractile allowing evaluation of their passive and active mechanical properties. Utilizing this technique, single-cell hPSC-CMs exhibited positive length-tension (Frank-Starling) relationships, and appropriate inotropic, klinotropic, and lusitropic changes in response to treatment with isoproterenol. The unique potential of the approach for drug testing and disease modeling was exemplified by treating the cells with doxorubicin (a potential cardiotoxic anti-cancer agent) and omecamtiv mecarbil (a positive ionotropic drug currently in stage 3 clinical trial). The results of these studies recapitulated the drugs' known actions to suppress (doxorubicin) and augment (omecamtiv mecarbil at low dose) cardiomyocyte contractility. Finally, novel insights were gained regarding the cellular effects of these drugs as doxorubicin treatment led to cellular mechanical alternans and high doses of omecamtiv mecarbil suppressed contractility and worsened the cellular diastolic properties.
Conclusion
A novel method that allows direct active and passive force measurements from single hPSC-CMs at different loading conditions for the first time was established and validated. Our results highlight the potential implications of this novel approach for pharmacological studies and disease modeling studies.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): European Research Council
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Mair B, Tomic J, Masud SN, Tonge P, Weiss A, Usaj M, Tong AHY, Kwan JJ, Brown KR, Titus E, Atkins M, Chan KSK, Munsie L, Habsid A, Han H, Kennedy M, Cohen B, Keller G, Moffat J. Essential Gene Profiles for Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Identify Uncharacterized Genes and Substrate Dependencies. Cell Rep 2020; 27:599-615.e12. [PMID: 30970261 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.02.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) provide an invaluable tool for modeling diseases and hold promise for regenerative medicine. For understanding pluripotency and lineage differentiation mechanisms, a critical first step involves systematically cataloging essential genes (EGs) that are indispensable for hPSC fitness, defined as cell reproduction in this study. To map essential genetic determinants of hPSC fitness, we performed genome-scale loss-of-function screens in an inducible Cas9 H1 hPSC line cultured on feeder cells and laminin to identify EGs. Among these, we found FOXH1 and VENTX, genes that encode transcription factors previously implicated in stem cell biology, as well as an uncharacterized gene, C22orf43/DRICH1. hPSC EGs are substantially different from other human model cell lines, and EGs in hPSCs are highly context dependent with respect to different growth substrates. Our CRISPR screens establish parameters for genome-wide screens in hPSCs, which will facilitate the characterization of unappreciated genetic regulators of hPSC biology.
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Thavandiran N, Hale C, Blit P, Sandberg ML, McElvain ME, Gagliardi M, Sun B, Witty A, Graham G, Do VTH, Bakooshli MA, Le H, Ostblom J, McEwen S, Chau E, Prowse A, Fernandes I, Norman A, Gilbert PM, Keller G, Tagari P, Xu H, Radisic M, Zandstra PW. Functional arrays of human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac microtissues. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6919. [PMID: 32332814 PMCID: PMC7181791 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62955-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
To accelerate the cardiac drug discovery pipeline, we set out to develop a platform that would be capable of quantifying tissue-level functions such as contractile force and be amenable to standard multiwell-plate manipulations. We report a 96-well-based array of 3D human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived cardiac microtissues - termed Cardiac MicroRings (CaMiRi) - in custom 3D-print-molded multiwell plates capable of contractile force measurement. Within each well, two elastomeric microcantilevers are situated above a circumferential ramp. The wells are seeded with cell-laden collagen, which, in response to the gradual slope of the circumferential ramp, self-organizes around tip-gated microcantilevers to form contracting CaMiRi. The contractile force exerted by the CaMiRi is measured and calculated using the deflection of the cantilevers. Platform responses were robust and comparable across wells, and we used it to determine an optimal tissue formulation. We validated the contractile force response of CaMiRi using selected cardiotropic compounds with known effects. Additionally, we developed automated protocols for CaMiRi seeding, image acquisition, and analysis to enable the measurement of contractile force with increased throughput. The unique tissue fabrication properties of the platform, and the consequent effects on tissue function, were demonstrated upon adding hPSC-derived epicardial cells to the system. This platform represents an open-source contractile force screening system useful for drug screening and tissue engineering applications.
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Romagnuolo R, Masoudpour H, Porta-Sánchez A, Qiang B, Barry J, Laskary A, Qi X, Massé S, Magtibay K, Kawajiri H, Wu J, Valdman Sadikov T, Rothberg J, Panchalingam KM, Titus E, Li RK, Zandstra PW, Wright GA, Nanthakumar K, Ghugre NR, Keller G, Laflamme MA. Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes Regenerate the Infarcted Pig Heart but Induce Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias. Stem Cell Reports 2019; 12:967-981. [PMID: 31056479 PMCID: PMC6524945 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2019.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hESC-CMs) show considerable promise for regenerating injured hearts, and we therefore tested their capacity to stably engraft in a translationally relevant preclinical model, the infarcted pig heart. Transplantation of immature hESC-CMs resulted in substantial myocardial implants within the infarct scar that matured over time, formed vascular networks with the host, and evoked minimal cellular rejection. While arrhythmias were rare in infarcted pigs receiving vehicle alone, hESC-CM recipients experienced frequent monomorphic ventricular tachycardia before reverting back to normal sinus rhythm by 4 weeks post transplantation. Electroanatomical mapping and pacing studies implicated focal mechanisms, rather than macro-reentry, for these graft-related tachyarrhythmias as evidenced by an abnormal centrifugal pattern with earliest electrical activation in histologically confirmed graft tissue. These findings demonstrate the suitability of the pig model for the preclinical development of a hESC-based cardiac therapy and provide new insights into the mechanistic basis of electrical instability following hESC-CM transplantation. hESC-CM transplantation partially remuscularizes the infarcted pig heart hESC-CM recipients show frequent tachyarrhythmias at early time points Graft-related arrhythmias arise from focal mechanisms rather than macro-reentry
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Shafaattalab S, Lin E, Christidi E, Huang H, Nartiss Y, Garcia A, Lee J, Protze S, Keller G, Brunham L, Tibbits GF, Laksman Z. Ibrutinib Displays Atrial-Specific Toxicity in Human Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes. Stem Cell Reports 2019; 12:996-1006. [PMID: 31031187 PMCID: PMC6524928 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2019.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Ibrutinib (IB) is an oral Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor that has demonstrated benefit in B cell cancers, but is associated with a dramatic increase in atrial fibrillation (AF). We employed cell-specific differentiation protocols and optical mapping to investigate the effects of IB and other tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) on the voltage and calcium transients of atrial and ventricular human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs). IB demonstrated direct cell-specific effects on atrial hPSC-CMs that would be predicted to predispose to AF. Second-generation BTK inhibitors did not have the same effect. Furthermore, IB exposure was associated with differential chamber-specific regulation of a number of regulatory pathways including the receptor tyrosine kinase pathway, which may be implicated in the pathogenesis of AF. Our study is the first to demonstrate cell-type-specific toxicity in hPSC-derived atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes, which reliably reproduces the clinical cardiotoxicity observed. hPSCs can be differentiated into atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes (CMs) Drug effects can be measured using optical mapping of voltage and calcium transients Ibrutinib demonstrates cell-specific toxicity on atrial hPSC-CMs Ibrutinib exposure is associated with chamber-specific effects on regulatory pathways
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Bauer L, Hapfelmeier A, Blank S, Reiche M, Slotta-Huspenina J, Jesinghaus M, Novotny A, Schmidt T, Grosser B, Kohlruss M, Weichert W, Ott K, Keller G. A novel pretherapeutic gene expression-based risk score for treatment guidance in gastric cancer. Ann Oncol 2019; 29:127-132. [PMID: 29069277 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdx685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Perioperative chemotherapy is an established treatment of advanced gastric cancer patients. Treatment selection is based on clinical staging (cT). We aimed to establish and validate a prognostic score including clinical and molecular factors, to optimize treatment decisions for these patients. Patients and methods We analyzed 626 carcinomas of the stomach and of the gastro-esophageal junction from two academic centers including primarily resected and pre-/perioperatively treated patients. Patients were divided into a training (N = 269) and validation (N = 357) set. Expression of 11 target genes was measured by quantitative PCR in resected tumors. A risk score to predict overall survival (OS) was generated and validated. Intra-tumoral heterogeneity was assessed by analyzing 50 tumor areas from 10 patients. Results A risk score including the expression of CCL5, CTNNB1, EXOSC3 and LZTR1 and the clinical parameters cT, tumor localization and histopathologic type suggested two groups with a significant difference in OS [hazard ratio (HR) 0.30; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17-0.52]. The risk score was successfully validated in an independent cohort (HR 0.32; 95% CI 0.21-0.51; P < 0.001) as well as in subgroups of primarily resected (HR 0.30; 95% CI 0.17-0.54; P < 0.001) and pre-/perioperatively treated patients (HR 0.37; 95% CI 0.17-0.81; P = 0.009). A significant difference in OS of high- and low-risk patients was also found in primarily resected patients with intestinal (HR 0.45; 95% CI 0.23-0.90; P = 0.020) and nonintestinal-type carcinomas (HR 0.1; 95% CI 0.02-0.42; P < 0.001). Intra-tumor heterogeneity analysis indicated a classification reliability of 95% for a supposed analysis of three biopsies. Conclusion The identified risk score could substantially contribute to an improved management of gastric cancer patients in the context of perioperative chemotherapy.
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Wauchop M, Gagliardi M, Rafatian N, Massé S, Lai P, Tung KC, Protze S, Wang E, Radisic M, Keller G, Nanthakumar K, Backx P. Pathophysiology of R222Q mutant SCN5a channels. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2018.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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MacParland SA, Liu JC, Ma XZ, Innes BT, Bartczak AM, Gage BK, Manuel J, Khuu N, Echeverri J, Linares I, Gupta R, Cheng ML, Liu LY, Camat D, Chung SW, Seliga RK, Shao Z, Lee E, Ogawa S, Ogawa M, Wilson MD, Fish JE, Selzner M, Ghanekar A, Grant D, Greig P, Sapisochin G, Selzner N, Winegarden N, Adeyi O, Keller G, Bader GD, McGilvray ID. Single cell RNA sequencing of human liver reveals distinct intrahepatic macrophage populations. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4383. [PMID: 30348985 PMCID: PMC6197289 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06318-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 794] [Impact Index Per Article: 132.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver is the largest solid organ in the body and is critical for metabolic and immune functions. However, little is known about the cells that make up the human liver and its immune microenvironment. Here we report a map of the cellular landscape of the human liver using single-cell RNA sequencing. We provide the transcriptional profiles of 8444 parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells obtained from the fractionation of fresh hepatic tissue from five human livers. Using gene expression patterns, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemical examinations, we identify 20 discrete cell populations of hepatocytes, endothelial cells, cholangiocytes, hepatic stellate cells, B cells, conventional and non-conventional T cells, NK-like cells, and distinct intrahepatic monocyte/macrophage populations. Together, our study presents a comprehensive view of the human liver at single-cell resolution that outlines the characteristics of resident cells in the liver, and in particular provides a map of the human hepatic immune microenvironment. The development of single cell RNA sequencing technologies has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of tissue biology. Here, MacParland et al. performed single cell RNA sequencing of human liver samples, and identify distinct populations of intrahepatic macrophages that may play specific roles in liver disease.
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Keller G. Translating human development to new therapies with pluripotent stem cells. Exp Hematol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2018.06.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Yoon C, Song H, Yin T, Bausch-Fluck D, Frei AP, Kattman S, Dubois N, Witty AD, Hewel JA, Guo H, Emili A, Wollscheid B, Keller G, Zandstra PW. FZD4 Marks Lateral Plate Mesoderm and Signals with NORRIN to Increase Cardiomyocyte Induction from Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiac Progenitors. Stem Cell Reports 2017; 10:87-100. [PMID: 29249665 PMCID: PMC5768897 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Revised: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The identification of cell surface proteins on stem cells or stem cell derivatives is a key strategy for the functional characterization, isolation, and understanding of stem cell population dynamics. Here, using an integrated mass spectrometry- and microarray-based approach, we analyzed the surface proteome and transcriptome of cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) generated from the stage-specific differentiation of mouse and human pluripotent stem cells. Through bioinformatics analysis, we have identified and characterized FZD4 as a marker for lateral plate mesoderm. Additionally, we utilized FZD4, in conjunction with FLK1 and PDGFRA, to further purify CPCs and increase cardiomyocyte (CM) enrichment in both mouse and human systems. Moreover, we have shown that NORRIN presented to FZD4 further increases CM output via proliferation through the canonical WNT pathway. Taken together, these findings demonstrate a role for FZD4 in mammalian cardiac development. Identified and characterized FZD4 as a new marker for lateral plate mesoderm FZD4, in conjunction with FLK1 and PDGFRA, increases cardiomyocyte enrichment FZD4 is expressed in the human system and shows enrichment in cardiomyocytes NORRIN addition shows increase in cardiomyocyte output from FZD4 progenitor cells
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Martewicz S, Serena E, Zatti S, Keller G, Elvassore N. Substrate and mechanotransduction influence SERCA2a localization in human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes affecting functional performance. Stem Cell Res 2017; 25:107-114. [PMID: 29125993 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2017.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Revised: 07/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Physical cues are major determinants of cellular phenotype and evoke physiological and pathological responses on cell structure and function. Cellular models aim to recapitulate basic functional features of their in vivo counterparts or tissues in order to be of use in in vitro disease modeling or drug screening and testing. Understanding how culture systems affect in vitro development of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derivatives allows optimization of cellular human models and gives insight in the processes involved in their structural organization and function. In this work, we show involvement of the mechanotransduction pathway RhoA/ROCK in the structural reorganization of hPSC-derived cardiomyocytes after adhesion plating. These structural changes have a major impact on the intracellular localization of SERCA2 pumps and concurrent improvement in calcium cycling. The process is triggered by cell interaction with the culture substrate, which mechanical cues drive sarcomeric alignment and SERCA2a spreading and relocalization from a perinuclear to a whole-cell distribution. This structural reorganization is mediated by the mechanical properties of the substrate, as shown by the process failure in hPSC-CMs cultured on soft 4kPa hydrogels as opposed to physiologically stiff 16kPa hydrogels and glass. Finally, pharmacological inhibition of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) by different compounds identifies this specific signaling pathway as a major player in SERCA2 localization and the associated improvement in hPSC-CMs calcium handling ability in vitro.
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Ditadi A, Lechman E, Dick J, Keller G. Dissecting the cellular of down syndrome TMD and AMKL. Exp Hematol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2017.06.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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