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Lickiss B, Hunker J, Bhagwan J, Linder P, Thomas U, Lotay H, Broadbent S, Dragicevic E, Stoelzle-Feix S, Turner J, Gossmann M. Chamber-specific contractile responses of atrial and ventricular hiPSC-cardiomyocytes to GPCR and ion channel targeting compounds: A microphysiological system for cardiac drug development. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2024; 128:107529. [PMID: 38857637 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2024.107529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes (CMs) have found utility for conducting in vitro drug screening and disease modelling to gain crucial insights into pharmacology or disease phenotype. However, diseases such as atrial fibrillation, affecting >33 M people worldwide, demonstrate the need for cardiac subtype-specific cells. Here, we sought to investigate the base characteristics and pharmacological differences between commercially available chamber-specific atrial or ventricular hiPSC-CMs seeded onto ultra-thin, flexible PDMS membranes to simultaneously measure contractility in a 96 multi-well format. We investigated the effects of GPCR agonists (acetylcholine and carbachol), a Ca2+ channel agonist (S-Bay K8644), an HCN channel antagonist (ivabradine) and K+ channel antagonists (4-AP and vernakalant). We observed differential effects between atrial and ventricular hiPSC-CMs on contractile properties including beat rate, beat duration, contractile force and evidence of arrhythmias at a range of concentrations. As an excerpt of the compound analysis, S-Bay K8644 treatment showed an induced concentration-dependent transient increase in beat duration of atrial hiPSC-CMs, whereas ventricular cells showed a physiological increase in beat rate over time. Carbachol treatment produced marked effects on atrial cells, such as increased beat duration alongside a decrease in beat rate over time, but only minimal effects on ventricular cardiomyocytes. In the context of this chamber-specific pharmacology, we not only add to contractile characterization of hiPSC-CMs but propose a multi-well platform for medium-throughput early compound screening. Overall, these insights illustrate the key pharmacological differences between chamber-specific cardiomyocytes and their application on a multi-well contractility platform to gain insights for in vitro cardiac liability studies and disease modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jan Hunker
- innoVitro GmbH, Artilleriestr 2, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Jamie Bhagwan
- Axol Bioscience Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Peter Linder
- innoVitro GmbH, Artilleriestr 2, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Ulrich Thomas
- Nanion Technologies GmbH, Ganghoferstr 70A, 80339 Munich, Germany
| | - Hardeep Lotay
- Axol Bioscience Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Steven Broadbent
- Axol Bioscience Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Elena Dragicevic
- Nanion Technologies GmbH, Ganghoferstr 70A, 80339 Munich, Germany
| | | | - Jan Turner
- Axol Bioscience Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
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2
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Stiefbold M, Zhang H, Wan LQ. Engineered platforms for mimicking cardiac development and drug screening. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:197. [PMID: 38664263 PMCID: PMC11045633 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05231-1] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Congenital heart defects are associated with significant health challenges, demanding a deep understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms and, thus, better devices or platforms that can recapitulate human cardiac development. The discovery of human pluripotent stem cells has substantially reduced the dependence on animal models. Recent advances in stem cell biology, genetic editing, omics, microfluidics, and sensor technologies have further enabled remarkable progress in the development of in vitro platforms with increased fidelity and efficiency. In this review, we provide an overview of advancements in in vitro cardiac development platforms, with a particular focus on technological innovation. We categorize these platforms into four areas: two-dimensional solid substrate cultures, engineered substrate architectures that enhance cellular functions, cardiac organoids, and embryos/explants-on-chip models. We conclude by addressing current limitations and presenting future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison Stiefbold
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Biotech 2147, 110 8t Street, Troy, NY, 12180, USA
| | - Haokang Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Biotech 2147, 110 8t Street, Troy, NY, 12180, USA
| | - Leo Q Wan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Biotech 2147, 110 8t Street, Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
- Center for Modeling, Simulation, and Imaging in Medicine, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
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Raniga K, Nasir A, Vo NTN, Vaidyanathan R, Dickerson S, Hilcove S, Mosqueira D, Mirams GR, Clements P, Hicks R, Pointon A, Stebbeds W, Francis J, Denning C. Strengthening cardiac therapy pipelines using human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Cell Stem Cell 2024; 31:292-311. [PMID: 38366587 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2024.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Advances in hiPSC isolation and reprogramming and hPSC-CM differentiation have prompted their therapeutic application and utilization for evaluating potential cardiovascular safety liabilities. In this perspective, we showcase key efforts toward the large-scale production of hiPSC-CMs, implementation of hiPSC-CMs in industry settings, and recent clinical applications of this technology. The key observations are a need for traceable gender and ethnically diverse hiPSC lines, approaches to reduce cost of scale-up, accessible clinical trial datasets, and transparent guidelines surrounding the safety and efficacy of hiPSC-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavita Raniga
- The Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; Pathology, Non-Clinical Safety, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Stevenage SG1 2NY, UK.
| | - Aishah Nasir
- The Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Nguyen T N Vo
- The Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | | | | | | | - Diogo Mosqueira
- The Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Gary R Mirams
- Centre for Mathematical Medicine & Biology, School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Peter Clements
- Pathology, Non-Clinical Safety, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Stevenage SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Ryan Hicks
- BioPharmaceuticals R&D Cell Therapy Department, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden; School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Amy Pointon
- Safety Sciences, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB2 0AA, UK
| | | | - Jo Francis
- Mechanstic Biology and Profiling, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB2 0AA, UK
| | - Chris Denning
- The Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
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4
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Xia Y, Zhang XH, Yamaguchi N, Morad M. Point mutations in RyR2 Ca2+-binding residues of human cardiomyocytes cause cellular remodelling of cardiac excitation contraction-coupling. Cardiovasc Res 2024; 120:44-55. [PMID: 37890099 PMCID: PMC10898933 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvad163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS CRISPR/Cas9 gene edits of cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) in human-induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) provide a novel platform for introducing mutations in RyR2 Ca2+-binding residues and examining the resulting excitation contraction (EC)-coupling remodelling consequences. METHODS AND RESULTS Ca2+-signalling phenotypes of mutations in RyR2 Ca2+-binding site residues associated with cardiac arrhythmia (RyR2-Q3925E) or not proven to cause cardiac pathology (RyR2-E3848A) were determined using ICa- and caffeine-triggered Ca2+ releases in voltage-clamped and total internal reflection fluorescence-imaged wild type and mutant cardiomyocytes infected with sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR)-targeted ER-GCaMP6 probe. (i) ICa- and caffeine-triggered Fura-2 or ER-GCaMP6 signals were suppressed, even when ICa was significantly enhanced in Q3925E and E3848A mutant cardiomyocytes; (ii) spontaneous beating (Fura-2 Ca2+ transients) persisted in mutant cells without the SR-release signals; (iii) while 5-20 mM caffeine failed to trigger Ca2+-release in voltage-clamped mutant cells, only ∼20% to ∼70% of intact myocytes responded respectively to caffeine; (iv) and 20 mM caffeine transients, however, activated slowly, were delayed, and variably suppressed by 2-APB, FCCP, or ruthenium red. CONCLUSION Mutating RyR2 Ca2+-binding residues, irrespective of their reported pathogenesis, suppressed both ICa- and caffeine-triggered Ca2+ releases, suggesting interaction between Ca2+- and caffeine-binding sites. Enhanced transmembrane calcium influx and remodelling of EC-coupling pathways may underlie the persistence of spontaneous beating in Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release-suppressed mutant myocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanli Xia
- Cardiac Signaling Center of University of South Carolina, Medical University of South Carolina and Clemson University, 68 President Street, Bioengineering building Rm 306, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Xiao-hua Zhang
- Cardiac Signaling Center of University of South Carolina, Medical University of South Carolina and Clemson University, 68 President Street, Bioengineering building Rm 306, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Naohiro Yamaguchi
- Cardiac Signaling Center of University of South Carolina, Medical University of South Carolina and Clemson University, 68 President Street, Bioengineering building Rm 306, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, 68 President Street, Bioengineering building Rm 306, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Martin Morad
- Cardiac Signaling Center of University of South Carolina, Medical University of South Carolina and Clemson University, 68 President Street, Bioengineering building Rm 306, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, 68 President Street, Bioengineering building Rm 306, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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Johnson BB, Cosson MV, Tsansizi LI, Holmes TL, Gilmore T, Hampton K, Song OR, Vo NTN, Nasir A, Chabronova A, Denning C, Peffers MJ, Merry CLR, Whitelock J, Troeberg L, Rushworth SA, Bernardo AS, Smith JGW. Perlecan (HSPG2) promotes structural, contractile, and metabolic development of human cardiomyocytes. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113668. [PMID: 38198277 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113668] [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: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Perlecan (HSPG2), a heparan sulfate proteoglycan similar to agrin, is key for extracellular matrix (ECM) maturation and stabilization. Although crucial for cardiac development, its role remains elusive. We show that perlecan expression increases as cardiomyocytes mature in vivo and during human pluripotent stem cell differentiation to cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs). Perlecan-haploinsuffient hPSCs (HSPG2+/-) differentiate efficiently, but late-stage CMs have structural, contractile, metabolic, and ECM gene dysregulation. In keeping with this, late-stage HSPG2+/- hPSC-CMs have immature features, including reduced ⍺-actinin expression and increased glycolytic metabolism and proliferation. Moreover, perlecan-haploinsuffient engineered heart tissues have reduced tissue thickness and force generation. Conversely, hPSC-CMs grown on a perlecan-peptide substrate are enlarged and display increased nucleation, typical of hypertrophic growth. Together, perlecan appears to play the opposite role of agrin, promoting cellular maturation rather than hyperplasia and proliferation. Perlecan signaling is likely mediated via its binding to the dystroglycan complex. Targeting perlecan-dependent signaling may help reverse the phenotypic switch common to heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin B Johnson
- Centre for Metabolic Health, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Marie-Victoire Cosson
- The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK; NHLI, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Lorenza I Tsansizi
- The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK; NHLI, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Terri L Holmes
- Centre for Metabolic Health, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK
| | | | - Katherine Hampton
- Centre for Metabolic Health, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Ok-Ryul Song
- The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK; High-Throughput Screening Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Nguyen T N Vo
- School of Medicine, Regenerating and Modelling Tissues, Biodiscovery Institute, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Aishah Nasir
- School of Medicine, Regenerating and Modelling Tissues, Biodiscovery Institute, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Alzbeta Chabronova
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, William Henry Duncan Building, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK
| | - Chris Denning
- School of Medicine, Regenerating and Modelling Tissues, Biodiscovery Institute, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Mandy J Peffers
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, William Henry Duncan Building, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK
| | - Catherine L R Merry
- School of Medicine, Regenerating and Modelling Tissues, Biodiscovery Institute, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - John Whitelock
- School of Medicine, Regenerating and Modelling Tissues, Biodiscovery Institute, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Linda Troeberg
- Centre for Metabolic Health, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Stuart A Rushworth
- Centre for Metabolic Health, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Andreia S Bernardo
- The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK; NHLI, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - James G W Smith
- Centre for Metabolic Health, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK.
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Ormrod B, Ehler E. Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes-more show than substance? Biophys Rev 2023; 15:1941-1950. [PMID: 38192353 PMCID: PMC10771368 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-023-01099-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiomyocytes that are derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC-CM) are an exciting tool to investigate cardiomyopathy disease mechanisms at the cellular level as well as to screen for potential side effects of novel drugs. However, currently their benefit is limited due to their fairly immature differentiation status under conventional culture conditions. This review is mainly aimed at researchers outside of the iPSC-CM field and will describe potential pitfalls and which features at the level of the myofibrils would be desired to make them a more representative model system. We will also discuss different strategies that may help to achieve these.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth Ormrod
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 1UL UK
| | - Elisabeth Ehler
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 1UL UK
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics (School of Basic and Biosciences), Room 3.26A, New Hunt’s House, Guy’s Campus, London, SE1 1UL UK
- British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, King’s College London, London, SE1 1UL UK
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