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Simmons DW, Malayath G, Schuftan DR, Guo J, Oguntuyo K, Ramahdita G, Sun Y, Jordan SD, Munsell MK, Kandalaft B, Pear M, Rentschler SL, Huebsch N. Engineered tissue geometry and Plakophilin-2 regulate electrophysiology of human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:016118. [PMID: 38476404 PMCID: PMC10932571 DOI: 10.1063/5.0160677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Engineered heart tissues have been created to study cardiac biology and disease in a setting that more closely mimics in vivo heart muscle than 2D monolayer culture. Previously published studies suggest that geometrically anisotropic micro-environments are crucial for inducing "in vivo like" physiology from immature cardiomyocytes. We hypothesized that the degree of cardiomyocyte alignment and prestress within engineered tissues is regulated by tissue geometry and, subsequently, drives electrophysiological development. Thus, we studied the effects of tissue geometry on electrophysiology of micro-heart muscle arrays (μHM) engineered from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Elongated tissue geometries elicited cardiomyocyte shape and electrophysiology changes led to adaptations that yielded increased calcium intake during each contraction cycle. Strikingly, pharmacologic studies revealed that a threshold of prestress and/or cellular alignment is required for sodium channel function, whereas L-type calcium and rapidly rectifying potassium channels were largely insensitive to these changes. Concurrently, tissue elongation upregulated sodium channel (NaV1.5) and gap junction (Connexin 43, Cx43) protein expression. Based on these observations, we leveraged elongated μHM to study the impact of loss-of-function mutation in Plakophilin 2 (PKP2), a desmosome protein implicated in arrhythmogenic disease. Within μHM, PKP2 knockout cardiomyocytes had cellular morphology similar to what was observed in isogenic controls. However, PKP2-/- tissues exhibited lower conduction velocity and no functional sodium current. PKP2 knockout μHM exhibited geometrically linked upregulation of sodium channel but not Cx43, suggesting that post-translational mechanisms, including a lack of ion channel-gap junction communication, may underlie the lower conduction velocity observed in tissues harboring this genetic defect. Altogether, these observations demonstrate that simple, scalable micro-tissue systems can provide the physiologic stresses necessary to induce electrical remodeling of iPS-CM to enable studies on the electrophysiologic consequences of disease-associated genomic variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W. Simmons
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - Ganesh Malayath
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - David R. Schuftan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - Jingxuan Guo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - Kasoorelope Oguntuyo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - Ghiska Ramahdita
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - Yuwen Sun
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - Samuel D. Jordan
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Mary K. Munsell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - Brennan Kandalaft
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - Missy Pear
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - Stacey L. Rentschler
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Nathaniel Huebsch
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
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Basirun C, Ferlazzo ML, Howell NR, Liu GJ, Middleton RJ, Martinac B, Narayanan SA, Poole K, Gentile C, Chou J. Microgravity × Radiation: A Space Mechanobiology Approach Toward Cardiovascular Function and Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:750775. [PMID: 34778261 PMCID: PMC8586646 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.750775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in space exploration, supported by the accelerated technological advancements in the field. This has led to a new potential environment that humans could be exposed to in the very near future, and therefore an increasing request to evaluate the impact this may have on our body, including health risks associated with this endeavor. A critical component in regulating the human pathophysiology is represented by the cardiovascular system, which may be heavily affected in these extreme environments of microgravity and radiation. This mini review aims to identify the impact of microgravity and radiation on the cardiovascular system. Being able to understand the effect that comes with deep space explorations, including that of microgravity and space radiation, may also allow us to get a deeper understanding of the heart and ultimately our own basic physiological processes. This information may unlock new factors to consider with space exploration whilst simultaneously increasing our knowledge of the cardiovascular system and potentially associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carin Basirun
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Melanie L. Ferlazzo
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
- Inserm, U1296 Unit, Radiation: Defense, Health and Environment, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Nicholas R. Howell
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Guo-Jun Liu
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
- Discipline of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Ryan J. Middleton
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Boris Martinac
- Molecular Cardiology and Biophysics Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - S. Anand Narayanan
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Kate Poole
- EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, Faculty of Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Carmine Gentile
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Joshua Chou
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Guo J, Jiang H, Oguntuyo K, Rios B, Boodram Z, Huebsch N. Interplay of Genotype and Substrate Stiffness in Driving the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Phenotype in iPSC-Micro-Heart Muscle Arrays. Cell Mol Bioeng 2021; 14:409-425. [PMID: 34777601 PMCID: PMC8548480 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-021-00684-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In clinical and animal studies, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) shares many similarities with non-inherited cardiac hypertrophy induced by pressure overload (hypertension). This suggests a potential role for mechanical stress in priming tissues with mutation-induced changes in the sarcomere to develop phenotypes associated with HCM, including hypercontractility and aberrant calcium handling. Here, we tested the hypothesis that heterozygous loss of function of Myosin Binding Protein C (MYBCP3 +/- , mutations in which account for almost 50% of inherited HCM) combines with environmental stiffness to drive HCM phenotypes. METHODS We differentiated isogenic control (WTC) and MYBPC3 +/- iPSC into cardiomyocytes using small molecule manipulation of Wnt signaling, and then purified them using lactate media. The purified cardiomyocytes were seeded into "dog bone" shaped stencil molds to form micro-heart muscle arrays (μHM). To mimic changes in myocardial stiffness stemming from pressure overload, we varied the rigidity of the substrates μHM contract against. Stiffness levels ranged from those corresponding to fetal (5 kPa), healthy (15 kPa), pre-fibrotic (30 kPa) to fibrotic (65 kPa) myocardium. Substrates were embedded with a thin layer of fluorescent beads to track contractile force, and parent iPSC were engineered to express the genetic calcium indicator, GCaMP6f. High speed video microscopy and image analysis were used to quantify calcium handling and contractility of μHM. RESULTS Substrate rigidity triggered physiological adaptation for both genotypes. However, MYBPC3 +/- μHM showed a lower tolerance to substrate stiffness with the peak traction on 15 kPa, while WTC μHM had peak traction on 30 kPa. MYBPC3 +/- μHM exhibited hypercontractility, which was exaggerated by substrate rigidity. MYBPC3 +/- μHM hypercontractility was associated with longer rise times for calcium uptake and force development, along with higher overall Ca2+ intake. CONCLUSION We found MYBPC3 +/- mutations cause iPSC-μHM to exhibit hypercontractility, and also a lower tolerance for mechanical stiffness. Understanding how genetics work in combination with mechanical stiffness to trigger and/or exacerbate pathophysiology may lead to more effective therapies for HCM. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at (10.1007/s12195-021-00684-x).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxuan Guo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, USA
| | - Huanzhu Jiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, USA
| | - Kasoorelope Oguntuyo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, USA
| | - Brandon Rios
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, USA
| | - Zoë Boodram
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, USA
| | - Nathaniel Huebsch
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, USA
- NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, McKelvey School of Engineering, Saint Louis, USA
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Center for Regenerative Medicine, Center for Investigation of Membrane Excitability Diseases, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, USA
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Tonndorf R, Aibibu D, Cherif C. Isotropic and Anisotropic Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering: Collagen, Conventional, and Textile Fabrication Technologies and Properties. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9561. [PMID: 34502469 PMCID: PMC8431235 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review article, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine are briefly explained and the importance of scaffolds is highlighted. Furthermore, the requirements of scaffolds and how they can be fulfilled by using specific biomaterials and fabrication methods are presented. Detailed insight is given into the two biopolymers chitosan and collagen. The fabrication methods are divided into two categories: isotropic and anisotropic scaffold fabrication methods. Processable biomaterials and achievable pore sizes are assigned to each method. In addition, fiber spinning methods and textile fabrication methods used to produce anisotropic scaffolds are described in detail and the advantages of anisotropic scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Tonndorf
- Institute of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany; (D.A.); (C.C.)
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Guo J, Simmons DW, Ramahdita G, Munsell MK, Oguntuyo K, Kandalaft B, Rios B, Pear M, Schuftan D, Jiang H, Lake SP, Genin GM, Huebsch N. Elastomer-Grafted iPSC-Derived Micro Heart Muscles to Investigate Effects of Mechanical Loading on Physiology. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 7:2973-2989. [PMID: 34275296 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c00318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical loading plays a critical role in cardiac pathophysiology. Engineered heart tissues derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) allow rigorous investigations of the molecular and pathophysiological consequences of mechanical cues. However, many engineered heart muscle models have complex fabrication processes and require large cell numbers, making it difficult to use them together with iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes to study the influence of mechanical loading on pharmacology and genotype-phenotype relationships. To address this challenge, simple and scalable iPSC-derived micro-heart-muscle arrays (μHM) have been developed. "Dog-bone-shaped" molds define the boundary conditions for tissue formation. Here, we extend the μHM model by forming these tissues on elastomeric substrates with stiffnesses spanning from 5 to 30 kPa. Tissue assembly was achieved by covalently grafting fibronectin to the substrate. Compared to μHM formed on plastic, elastomer-grafted μHM exhibited a similar gross morphology, sarcomere assembly, and tissue alignment. When these tissues were formed on substrates with different elasticity, we observed marked shifts in contractility. Increased contractility was correlated with increases in calcium flux and a slight increase in cell size. This afterload-enhanced μHM system enables mechanical control of μHM and real-time tissue traction force microscopy for cardiac physiology measurements, providing a dynamic tool for studying pathophysiology and pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxuan Guo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Daniel W Simmons
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States.,NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, McKelvey School of Engineering, 1 Brookings Dr., St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Ghiska Ramahdita
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States.,NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, McKelvey School of Engineering, 1 Brookings Dr., St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Mary K Munsell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Kasoorelope Oguntuyo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Brennan Kandalaft
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Brandon Rios
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Missy Pear
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - David Schuftan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Huanzhu Jiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Spencer P Lake
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Guy M Genin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States.,NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, McKelvey School of Engineering, 1 Brookings Dr., St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Nathaniel Huebsch
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States.,NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, McKelvey School of Engineering, 1 Brookings Dr., St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States.,Center for Cardiovascular Research, Center for Regenerative Medicine, Center for Investigation of Membrane Excitability Diseases, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
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