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Han JL, Heinson YW, Chua CJ, Liu W, Entcheva E. CRISPRi gene modulation and all-optical electrophysiology in post-differentiated human iPSC-cardiomyocytes. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1236. [PMID: 38062109 PMCID: PMC10703822 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05627-y] [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: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Uncovering gene-phenotype relationships can be enabled by precise gene modulation in human induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) and follow up phenotyping using scalable all-optical electrophysiology platforms. Such efforts towards human functional genomics can be aided by recent CRISPR-derived technologies for reversible gene inhibition or activation (CRISPRi/a). We set out to characterize the performance of CRISPRi in post-differentiated iPSC-CMs, targeting key cardiac ion channel genes, KCNH2, KCNJ2, and GJA1, and providing a multiparametric quantification of the effects on cardiac repolarization, stability of the resting membrane potential and conduction properties using all-optical tools. More potent CRISPRi effectors, e.g., Zim3, and optimized viral delivery led to improved performance on par with the use of CRISPRi iPSC lines. Confirmed mild yet specific phenotype changes when CRISPRi is deployed in non-dividing differentiated heart cells is an important step towards more holistic pre-clinical cardiotoxicity testing and for future therapeutic use in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie L Han
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Yuli W Heinson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Christianne J Chua
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Emilia Entcheva
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA.
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Heinson YW, Han JL, Entcheva E. OptoDyCE-plate as an affordable high throughput imager for all optical cardiac electrophysiology. JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR CARDIOLOGY PLUS 2023; 6:100054. [PMID: 38130942 PMCID: PMC10735237 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmccpl.2023.100054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
We present a simple low-cost system for comprehensive functional characterization of cardiac function under spontaneous and paced conditions, in standard 96 and 384-well plates. This full-plate actuator/imager, OptoDyCE-plate, uses optogenetic stimulation and optical readouts of voltage and calcium (parallel recordings from up to 100 wells in 384-well plates are demonstrated). The system is validated with syncytia of human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes, iPSC-CMs, grown as monolayers, or in quasi-3D isotropic and anisotropic constructs using electrospun matrices, in 96 and 384-well format. Genetic modifications, e.g. interference CRISPR (CRISPRi), and nine compounds of acute and chronic action were tested, including five histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis). Their effects on voltage and calcium were compared across growth conditions and pacing rates. We also demonstrated optogenetic point pacing via cell spheroids to study conduction in 96-well format, as well as temporal multiplexing to register voltage and calcium simultaneously on a single camera. Opto-DyCE-plate showed excellent performance even in the small samples in 384-well plates. Anisotropic structured constructs may provide some benefits in drug testing, although drug responses were consistent across tested configurations. Differential voltage vs. calcium responses were seen for some drugs, especially for non-traditional modulators of cardiac function, e.g. HDACi, and pacing rate was a powerful modulator of drug response, highlighting the need for comprehensive multiparametric assessment, as offered by OptoDyCE-plate. Increasing throughput and speed and reducing cost of screening can help stratify potential compounds early in the drug development process and accelerate the development of safer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Emilia Entcheva
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, United States of America
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3
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Song Q, Alvarez-Laviada A, Schrup SE, Reilly-O'Donnell B, Entcheva E, Gorelik J. Opto-SICM framework combines optogenetics with scanning ion conductance microscopy for probing cell-to-cell contacts. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1131. [PMID: 37938652 PMCID: PMC10632396 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05509-3] [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: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
We present a novel framework, Opto-SICM, for studies of cellular interactions in live cells with high spatiotemporal resolution. The approach combines scanning ion conductance microscopy, SICM, and cell-type-specific optogenetic interrogation. Light-excitable cardiac fibroblasts (FB) and myofibroblasts (myoFB) were plated together with non-modified cardiomyocytes (CM) and then paced with periodic illumination. Opto-SICM reveals the extent of FB/myoFB-CM cell-cell contacts and the dynamic changes over time not visible by optical microscopy. FB-CM pairs have lower gap junctional expression of connexin-43 and higher contact dynamism compared to myoFB-CM pairs. The responsiveness of CM to pacing via FB/myoFB depends on the dynamics of the contact but not on the area. The non-responding pairs have higher net cell-cell movement at the contact. These findings are relevant to cardiac disease states, where adverse remodeling leads to abnormal electrical excitation of CM. The Opto-SICM framework can be deployed to offer new insights on cellular and subcellular interactions in various cell types, in real-time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Song
- Imperial College London, Du Cane road, W12 0NN, London, UK
| | | | - Sarah E Schrup
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Emilia Entcheva
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Julia Gorelik
- Imperial College London, Du Cane road, W12 0NN, London, UK.
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4
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Heinson YW, Han JL, Entcheva E. OptoDyCE-plate as an affordable high throughput imager for all optical cardiac electrophysiology. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.29.555447. [PMID: 37693544 PMCID: PMC10491208 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.29.555447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
We present a simple low-cost system for comprehensive functional characterization of cardiac function under spontaneous and paced conditions, in standard 96 and 384-well plates. This full-plate actuator/imager, OptoDyCE-plate, uses optogenetic stimulation and optical readouts of voltage and calcium from all wells in parallel. The system is validated with syncytia of human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes, iPSC-CMs, grown as monolayers, or in quasi-3D isotropic and anisotropic constructs using electrospun matrices, in 96 and 394-well format. Genetic modifications, e.g. interference CRISPR (CRISPRi), and nine compounds of acute and chronic action were tested, including five histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis). Their effects on voltage and calcium were compared across growth conditions and pacing rates. We also demonstrated deployment of optogenetic cell spheroids for point pacing to study conduction in 96-well format, and the use of temporal multiplexing to register voltage and calcium simultaneously on a single camera in this stand-alone platform. Opto-DyCE-plate showed excellent performance even in the small samples in 384-well plates, in the various configurations. Anisotropic structured constructs may provide some benefits in drug testing, although drug responses were consistent across tested configurations. Differential voltage vs. calcium responses were seen for some drugs, especially for non-traditional modulators of cardiac function, e.g. HDACi, and pacing rate was a powerful modulator of drug response, highlighting the need for comprehensive multiparametric assessment, as offered by OptoDyCE-plate. Increasing throughput and speed and reducing cost of screening can help stratify potential compounds early in the drug development process and accelerate the development of safer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Emilia Entcheva
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037
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5
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Han JL, Heinson YW, Chua CJ, Liu W, Entcheva E. CRISPRi Gene Modulation and All-Optical Electrophysiology in Post-Differentiated Human iPSC-Cardiomyocytes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.07.539756. [PMID: 37214814 PMCID: PMC10197536 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.07.539756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Uncovering gene-phenotype relationships can be enabled by precise gene modulation in human induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) and follow up phenotyping using scalable all-optical electrophysiology platforms. Such efforts towards human functional genomics can be aided by recent CRISPR-derived technologies for reversible gene inhibition or activation (CRISPRi/a). We set out to characterize the performance of CRISPRi in post-differentiated iPSC-CMs, targeting key cardiac ion channel genes, KCNH2, KCNJ2, and GJA1, and providing a multiparametric quantification of the effects on cardiac repolarization, stability of the resting membrane potential and conduction properties using all-optical tools. More potent CRISPRi effectors, e.g. Zim3, and optimized viral delivery led to improved performance on par with the use of CRISPRi iPSC lines. Confirmed mild yet specific phenotype changes when CRISPRi is deployed in non-dividing differentiated heart cells is an important step towards more holistic pre-clinical cardiotoxicity testing and for future therapeutic use in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie L. Han
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington DC 20052, USA
| | - Yuli W. Heinson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington DC 20052, USA
| | - Christianne J. Chua
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington DC 20052, USA
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington DC 20052, USA
| | - Emilia Entcheva
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington DC 20052, USA
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Han JL, Entcheva E. Gene Modulation with CRISPR-based Tools in Human iPSC-Cardiomyocytes. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023; 19:886-905. [PMID: 36656467 PMCID: PMC9851124 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10506-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Precise control of gene expression (knock-out, knock-in, knockdown or overexpression) is at the heart of functional genomics - an approach to dissect the contribution of a gene/protein to the system's function. The development of a human in vitro system that can be patient-specific, induced pluripotent stem cells, iPSC, and the ability to obtain various cell types of interest, have empowered human disease modeling and therapeutic development. Scalable tools have been deployed for gene modulation in these cells and derivatives, including pharmacological means, DNA-based RNA interference and standard RNA interference (shRNA/siRNA). The CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system, borrowed from bacteria and adopted for use in mammalian cells a decade ago, offers cell-specific genetic targeting and versatility. Outside genome editing, more subtle, time-resolved gene modulation is possible by using a catalytically "dead" Cas9 enzyme linked to an effector of gene transcription in combination with a guide RNA. The CRISPRi / CRISPRa (interference/activation) system evolved over the last decade as a scalable technology for performing functional genomics with libraries of gRNAs. Here, we review key developments of these approaches and their deployment in cardiovascular research. We discuss specific use with iPSC-cardiomyocytes and the challenges in further translation of these techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Leann Han
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, 800 22nd St NW, Suite 5000, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Emilia Entcheva
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, 800 22nd St NW, Suite 5000, Washington, DC, 20052, USA.
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Liu W, Han JL, Tomek J, Bub G, Entcheva E. Simultaneous Widefield Voltage and Dye-Free Optical Mapping Quantifies Electromechanical Waves in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes. ACS PHOTONICS 2023; 10:1070-1083. [PMID: 37096210 PMCID: PMC10119986 DOI: 10.1021/acsphotonics.2c01644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Coupled electromechanical waves define a heart's function in health and diseases. Optical mapping of electrical waves using fluorescent labels offers mechanistic insights into cardiac conduction abnormalities. Dye-free/label-free mapping of mechanical waves presents an attractive non-invasive alternative. In this study, we developed a simultaneous widefield voltage and interferometric dye-free optical imaging methodology that was used as follows: (1) to validate dye-free optical mapping for quantification of cardiac wave properties in human iPSC-cardiomyocytes (CMs); (2) to demonstrate low-cost optical mapping of electromechanical waves in hiPSC-CMs using recent near-infrared (NIR) voltage sensors and orders of magnitude cheaper miniature industrial CMOS cameras; (3) to uncover previously underexplored frequency- and space-varying parameters of cardiac electromechanical waves in hiPSC-CMs. We find similarity in the frequency-dependent responses of electrical (NIR fluorescence-imaged) and mechanical (dye-free-imaged) waves, with the latter being more sensitive to faster rates and showing steeper restitution and earlier appearance of wavefront tortuosity. During regular pacing, the dye-free-imaged conduction velocity and electrical wave velocity are correlated; both modalities are sensitive to pharmacological uncoupling and dependent on gap-junctional protein (connexins) determinants of wave propagation. We uncover the strong frequency dependence of the electromechanical delay (EMD) locally and globally in hiPSC-CMs on a rigid substrate. The presented framework and results offer new means to track the functional responses of hiPSC-CMs inexpensively and non-invasively for counteracting heart disease and aiding cardiotoxicity testing and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, George Washington
University, Washington, D.C. 20052, United States
| | - Julie L. Han
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, George Washington
University, Washington, D.C. 20052, United States
| | - Jakub Tomek
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of California−Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Gil Bub
- Department
of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Emilia Entcheva
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, George Washington
University, Washington, D.C. 20052, United States
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