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Fusco-Allison G, Li DK, Hunter B, Jackson D, Bannon PG, Lal S, O'Sullivan JF. Optimizing the discovery and assessment of therapeutic targets in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. ESC Heart Fail 2021; 8:3643-3655. [PMID: 34342166 PMCID: PMC8497375 DOI: 10.1002/ehf2.13504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need for models that faithfully replicate heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), now recognized as the most common form of heart failure in the world. In vitro approaches have several shortcomings, most notably the immature nature of stem cell‐derived human cardiomyocytes [induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)] and the relatively short lifespan of primary cardiomyocytes. Three‐dimensional ‘organoids’ incorporating mature iPSCs with other cell types such as endothelial cells and fibroblasts are a significant advance, but lack the complexity of true myocardium. Animal models can replicate many features of human HFpEF, and rodent models are the most common, and recent attempts to incorporate haemodynamic, metabolic, and ageing contributions are encouraging. Differences relating to species, physiology, heart rate, and heart size are major limitations for rodent models. Porcine models mitigate many of these shortcomings and approximate human physiology more closely, but cost and time considerations limit their potential for widespread use. Ex vivo analysis of failing hearts from animal models offer intriguing possibilities regarding cardiac substrate utilisation, but are ultimately subject to the same constrains as the animal models from which the hearts are obtained. Ex vivo approaches using human myocardial biopsies can uncover new insights into pathobiology leveraging myocardial energetics, substrate turnover, molecular changes, and systolic/diastolic function. In collaboration with a skilled cardiothoracic surgeon, left ventricular endomyocardial biopsies can be obtained at the time of valvular surgery in HFpEF patients. Critically, these tissues maintain their disease phenotype, preserving inter‐relationship of myocardial cells and extracellular matrix. This review highlights a novel approach, where ultra‐thin myocardial tissue slices from human HFpEF hearts can be used to assess changes in myocardial structure and function. We discuss current approaches to modelling HFpEF, describe in detail the novel tissue slice model, expand on exciting opportunities this model provides, and outline ways to improve this model further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Fusco-Allison
- Precision Cardiovascular Laboratory, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Heart Research Institute, Newtown, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Desmond K Li
- Precision Cardiovascular Laboratory, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Heart Research Institute, Newtown, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Benjamin Hunter
- Precision Cardiovascular Laboratory, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Dan Jackson
- Precision Cardiovascular Laboratory, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Discipline of Surgery, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Paul G Bannon
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Discipline of Surgery, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sean Lal
- Precision Cardiovascular Laboratory, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John F O'Sullivan
- Precision Cardiovascular Laboratory, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Heart Research Institute, Newtown, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Watson SA, Terracciano CM, Perbellini F. Myocardial Slices: an Intermediate Complexity Platform for Translational Cardiovascular Research. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 2020; 33:239-244. [PMID: 30671746 PMCID: PMC6509068 DOI: 10.1007/s10557-019-06853-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Myocardial slices, also known as “cardiac tissue slices” or “organotypic heart slices,” are ultrathin (100–400 μm) slices of living adult ventricular myocardium prepared using a high-precision vibratome. They are a model of intermediate complexity as they retain the native multicellularity, architecture, and physiology of the heart, while their thinness ensures adequate oxygen and metabolic substrate diffusion in vitro. Myocardial slices can be produced from a variety of animal models and human biopsies, thus providing a representative human in vitro platform for translational cardiovascular research. In this review, we compare myocardial slices to other in vitro models and highlight some of the unique advantages provided by this platform. Additionally, we discuss the work performed in our laboratory to optimize myocardial slice preparation methodology, which resulted in highly viable myocardial slices from both large and small mammalian hearts with only 2–3% cardiomyocyte damage and preserved structure and function. Applications of myocardial slices span both basic and translational cardiovascular science. Our laboratory has utilized myocardial slices for the investigation of cardiac multicellularity, visualizing 3D collagen distribution and micro/macrovascular networks using tissue clearing protocols and investigating the effects of novel conductive biomaterials on cardiac physiology. Myocardial slices have been widely used for pharmacological testing. Finally, the current challenges and future directions for the technology are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel A Watson
- National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Watson SA, Scigliano M, Bardi I, Ascione R, Terracciano CM, Perbellini F. Preparation of viable adult ventricular myocardial slices from large and small mammals. Nat Protoc 2017; 12:2623-2639. [PMID: 29189769 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2017.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
This protocol describes the preparation of highly viable adult ventricular myocardial slices from the hearts of small and large mammals, including rodents, pigs, dogs and humans. Adult ventricular myocardial slices are 100- to 400-μm-thick slices of living myocardium that retain the native multicellularity, architecture and physiology of the heart. This protocol provides a list of the equipment and reagents required alongside a detailed description of the methodology for heart explantation, tissue preparation, slicing with a vibratome and handling of myocardial slices. Supplementary videos are included to visually demonstrate these steps. A number of critical steps are addressed that must be followed in order to prepare highly viable myocardial slices. These include identification of myocardial fiber direction and fiber alignment within the tissue block, careful temperature control, use of an excitation-contraction uncoupler, optimal vibratome settings and correct handling of myocardial slices. Many aspects of cardiac structure and function can be studied using myocardial slices in vitro. Typical results obtained with hearts from a small mammal (rat) and a large mammal (human) with heart failure are shown, demonstrating myocardial slice viability, maximum contractility, Ca2+ handling and structure. This protocol can be completed in ∼4 h.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel A Watson
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Myocardial Function, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Martina Scigliano
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Myocardial Function, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Ifigeneia Bardi
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Myocardial Function, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Raimondo Ascione
- Translational Biomedical Research Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Cesare M Terracciano
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Myocardial Function, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Filippo Perbellini
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Myocardial Function, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
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