1
|
Florido MHC, Ziats NP. Endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases: The role of human induced pluripotent stem cells and tissue engineering. J Biomed Mater Res A 2024; 112:1286-1304. [PMID: 38230548 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37669] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains to be the leading cause of death globally today and therefore the need for the development of novel therapies has become increasingly important in the cardiovascular field. The mechanism(s) behind the pathophysiology of CVD have been laboriously investigated in both stem cell and bioengineering laboratories. Scientific breakthroughs have paved the way to better mimic cell types of interest in recent years, with the ability to generate any cell type from reprogrammed human pluripotent stem cells. Mimicking the native extracellular matrix using both organic and inorganic biomaterials has allowed full organs to be recapitulated in vitro. In this paper, we will review techniques from both stem cell biology and bioengineering which have been fruitfully combined and have fueled advances in the cardiovascular disease field. We will provide a brief introduction to CVD, reviewing some of the recent studies as related to the role of endothelial cells and endothelial cell dysfunction. Recent advances and the techniques widely used in both bioengineering and stem cell biology will be discussed, providing a broad overview of the collaboration between these two fields and their overall impact on tissue engineering in the cardiovascular devices and implications for treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary H C Florido
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nicholas P Ziats
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Anatomy, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Saotome H, Yatsuka Y, Minowa O, Shinotsuka K, Tsuchida K, Hirose H, Dai K, Tokuno H, Hayakawa T, Hiranuma H, Hasegawa A, Nakatomi I, Okazaki A, Okazaki Y. Microstripe pattern substrate consisting of alternating planar and nanoprotrusive regions improved hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes' unidirectional alignment and functional properties. Biomed Mater 2024; 19:045031. [PMID: 38815609 DOI: 10.1088/1748-605x/ad525d] [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: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
The alignment of each cell in human myocardium is considered critical for the efficient movement of cardiac tissue. We investigated 96-well microstripe-patterned plates to align human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes (CMs), which resemble fetal myocardium. The aligned CMs (ACMs) cultured on the microstripe-patterned plates exhibited pathology, motor function, gene expression, and drug response that more closely resembled those of adult cells than did unaligned CMs cultured on a flat plate (FCMs). We used these ACMs to evaluate drug side effects and efficacy, and to determine whether these were similar to adult-like responses. When CMs from patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCMs) were seeded and cultured on the microstripe-patterned plates or layered on top of the ACMs, both sets of HCMs showed increased heart rate and synchronized contractions, indicating improved cardiac function. It is suggested that the ACMs could be used for drug screening as cells representative of adult-like CMs and be transplanted in the form of a cell sheet for regenerative treatment of heart failure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hideo Saotome
- Diagnostics and Therapeutic of Intractable Diseases, Intractable Disease Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukiko Yatsuka
- Diagnostics and Therapeutic of Intractable Diseases, Intractable Disease Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Osamu Minowa
- Diagnostics and Therapeutic of Intractable Diseases, Intractable Disease Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kei Shinotsuka
- Strategic Planning Department, Innovation Promotion Division, Oji Holdings Corporation, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katsuharu Tsuchida
- Diagnostics and Therapeutic of Intractable Diseases, Intractable Disease Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hitomi Hirose
- Diagnostics and Therapeutic of Intractable Diseases, Intractable Disease Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kotaro Dai
- Strategic Planning Department, Innovation Promotion Division, Oji Holdings Corporation, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hisako Tokuno
- Strategic Planning Department, Innovation Promotion Division, Oji Holdings Corporation, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Hayakawa
- Diagnostics and Therapeutic of Intractable Diseases, Intractable Disease Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
- Next Generation Medical Business Development Division, Sysmex Corporation, Kobe, Japan
| | - Hidenori Hiranuma
- Strategic Planning Department, Innovation Promotion Division, Oji Holdings Corporation, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akari Hasegawa
- Strategic Planning Department, Innovation Promotion Division, Oji Holdings Corporation, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ichiro Nakatomi
- Strategic Planning Department, Innovation Promotion Division, Oji Holdings Corporation, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsuko Okazaki
- Diagnostics and Therapeutic of Intractable Diseases, Intractable Disease Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Okazaki
- Diagnostics and Therapeutic of Intractable Diseases, Intractable Disease Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wu Q, Xue R, Zhao Y, Ramsay K, Wang EY, Savoji H, Veres T, Cartmell SH, Radisic M. Automated fabrication of a scalable heart-on-a-chip device by 3D printing of thermoplastic elastomer nanocomposite and hot embossing. Bioact Mater 2024; 33:46-60. [PMID: 38024233 PMCID: PMC10654006 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The successful translation of organ-on-a-chip devices requires the development of an automated workflow for device fabrication, which is challenged by the need for precise deposition of multiple classes of materials in micro-meter scaled configurations. Many current heart-on-a-chip devices are produced manually, requiring the expertise and dexterity of skilled operators. Here, we devised an automated and scalable fabrication method to engineer a Biowire II multiwell platform to generate human iPSC-derived cardiac tissues. This high-throughput heart-on-a-chip platform incorporated fluorescent nanocomposite microwires as force sensors, produced from quantum dots and thermoplastic elastomer, and 3D printed on top of a polystyrene tissue culture base patterned by hot embossing. An array of built-in carbon electrodes was embedded in a single step into the base, flanking the microwells on both sides. The facile and rapid 3D printing approach efficiently and seamlessly scaled up the Biowire II system from an 8-well chip to a 24-well and a 96-well format, resulting in an increase of platform fabrication efficiency by 17,5000-69,000% per well. The device's compatibility with long-term electrical stimulation in each well facilitated the targeted generation of mature human iPSC-derived cardiac tissues, evident through a positive force-frequency relationship, post-rest potentiation, and well-aligned sarcomeric apparatus. This system's ease of use and its capacity to gauge drug responses in matured cardiac tissue make it a powerful and reliable platform for rapid preclinical drug screening and development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qinghua Wu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G9, Canada
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Ruikang Xue
- Department of Materials, School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering and The Henry Royce Institute, Royce Hub Building, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Yimu Zhao
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Kaitlyn Ramsay
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Erika Yan Wang
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Houman Savoji
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1J4, Canada
- Research Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1C5, Canada
- Montreal TransMedTech Institute, Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Teodor Veres
- National Research Council of Canada, Boucherville, QC, J4B 6Y4, Canada
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Sarah H. Cartmell
- Department of Materials, School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering and The Henry Royce Institute, Royce Hub Building, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Milica Radisic
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G9, Canada
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3E5, Canada
- Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric M Strohm
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 3G8, Canada
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Center for Heart Research, Toronto, M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Neal I Callaghan
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Center for Heart Research, Toronto, M5G 1M1, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Yu Ding
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Center for Heart Research, Toronto, M5G 1M1, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Neda Latifi
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 3G8, Canada
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Center for Heart Research, Toronto, M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Naimeh Rafatian
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Shunsuke Funakoshi
- McEwen Stem Cell Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Ian Fernandes
- McEwen Stem Cell Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Cristine J Reitz
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Center for Heart Research, Toronto, M5G 1M1, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Michelle Di Paola
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Center for Heart Research, Toronto, M5G 1M1, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Anthony O Gramolini
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Center for Heart Research, Toronto, M5G 1M1, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Milica Radisic
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 3G9, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, M5G 2C4, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Gordon Keller
- McEwen Stem Cell Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Michael C Kolios
- Department of Physics, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Craig A Simmons
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 3G8, Canada
- Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Center for Heart Research, Toronto, M5G 1M1, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 3G9, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Deir S, Mozhdehbakhsh Mofrad Y, Mashayekhan S, Shamloo A, Mansoori-Kermani A. Step-by-step fabrication of heart-on-chip systems as models for cardiac disease modeling and drug screening. Talanta 2024; 266:124901. [PMID: 37459786 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.124901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are caused by hereditary factors, environmental conditions, and medication-related issues. On the other hand, the cardiotoxicity of drugs should be thoroughly examined before entering the market. In this regard, heart-on-chip (HOC) systems have been developed as a more efficient and cost-effective solution than traditional methods, such as 2D cell culture and animal models. HOCs must replicate the biology, physiology, and pathology of human heart tissue to be considered a reliable platform for heart disease modeling and drug testing. Therefore, many efforts have been made to find the best methods to fabricate different parts of HOCs and to improve the bio-mimicry of the systems in the last decade. Beating HOCs with different platforms have been developed and techniques, such as fabricating pumpless HOCs, have been used to make HOCs more user-friendly systems. Recent HOC platforms have the ability to simultaneously induce and record electrophysiological stimuli. Additionally, systems including both heart and cancer tissue have been developed to investigate tissue-tissue interactions' effect on cardiac tissue response to cancer drugs. In this review, all steps needed to be considered to fabricate a HOC were introduced, including the choice of cellular resources, biomaterials, fabrication techniques, biomarkers, and corresponding biosensors. Moreover, the current HOCs used for modeling cardiac diseases and testing the drugs are discussed. We finally introduced some suggestions for fabricating relatively more user-friendly HOCs and facilitating the commercialization process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Deir
- School of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yasaman Mozhdehbakhsh Mofrad
- Nano-Bioengineering Lab, School of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran; Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shohreh Mashayekhan
- School of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Amir Shamloo
- Nano-Bioengineering Lab, School of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran; Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kim SL, Trembley MA, Lee KY, Choi S, MacQueen LA, Zimmerman JF, de Wit LHC, Shani K, Henze DE, Drennan DJ, Saifee SA, Loh LJ, Liu X, Parker KK, Pu WT. Spatiotemporal cell junction assembly in human iPSC-CM models of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:1811-1826. [PMID: 37595583 PMCID: PMC10545490 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited cardiac disorder that causes life-threatening arrhythmias and myocardial dysfunction. Pathogenic variants in Plakophilin-2 (PKP2), a desmosome component within specialized cardiac cell junctions, cause the majority of ACM cases. However, the molecular mechanisms by which PKP2 variants induce disease phenotypes remain unclear. Here we built bioengineered platforms using genetically modified human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes to model the early spatiotemporal process of cardiomyocyte junction assembly in vitro. Heterozygosity for truncating variant PKP2R413X reduced Wnt/β-catenin signaling, impaired myofibrillogenesis, delayed mechanical coupling, and reduced calcium wave velocity in engineered tissues. These abnormalities were ameliorated by SB216763, which activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling, improved cytoskeletal organization, restored cell junction integrity in cell pairs, and improved calcium wave velocity in engineered tissues. Together, these findings highlight the therapeutic potential of modulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling in a human model of ACM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sean L Kim
- Disease Biophysics Group, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02134, USA; Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michael A Trembley
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Keel Yong Lee
- Disease Biophysics Group, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02134, USA; Department of Integrative Bioscience and Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - Suji Choi
- Disease Biophysics Group, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02134, USA
| | - Luke A MacQueen
- Disease Biophysics Group, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02134, USA
| | - John F Zimmerman
- Disease Biophysics Group, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02134, USA
| | - Lousanne H C de Wit
- Disease Biophysics Group, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02134, USA
| | - Kevin Shani
- Disease Biophysics Group, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02134, USA; Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Douglas E Henze
- Disease Biophysics Group, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02134, USA
| | - Daniel J Drennan
- Disease Biophysics Group, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02134, USA
| | - Shaila A Saifee
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Li Jun Loh
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Xujie Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kevin Kit Parker
- Disease Biophysics Group, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02134, USA; Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - William T Pu
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Malihi G, Nikoui V, Elson EL. A review on qualifications and cost effectiveness of induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs)-induced cardiomyocytes in drug screening tests. Arch Physiol Biochem 2023; 129:131-142. [PMID: 32783745 DOI: 10.1080/13813455.2020.1802600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hIPSCs) have initiated a higher degree of successes in disease modelling, preclinical evaluation of drug therapy and pharmaco-toxicological testing. Since the discovery of iPSCs in 2006, many advanced techniques have been introduced to differentiate iPSCs to cardiomyocytes, which have been progressively improved. The disease models from iPSC-induced cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CM) have been successfully helping to study a variety of cardiac diseases such as long QT syndrome, drug-induced long QT, different cardiomyopathies related to mutations in mitochondria or desmosomal proteins and other rare genetic diseases. IPSC-CMs have also been used to screen the role of chemicals in cardiovascular drug discovery and individualisation of drug dosages. In this review, the quality of current procedures for characterisation and maturation of iPSC-CM lines will be discussed. Also, we will focus on time efficiency and cost of standard differentiation methods after reprogramming.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Vahid Nikoui
- Razi Drug Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elliot L Elson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Chirico N, Kessler EL, Maas RGC, Fang J, Qin J, Dokter I, Daniels M, Šarić T, Neef K, Buikema JW, Lei Z, Doevendans PA, Sluijter JPG, van Mil A. Small molecule-mediated rapid maturation of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:531. [PMID: 36575473 PMCID: PMC9795728 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-03209-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) do not display all hallmarks of mature primary cardiomyocytes, especially the ability to use fatty acids (FA) as an energy source, containing high mitochondrial mass, presenting binucleation and increased DNA content per nuclei (polyploidism), and synchronized electrical conduction. This immaturity represents a bottleneck to their application in (1) disease modelling-as most cardiac (genetic) diseases have a middle-age onset-and (2) clinically relevant models, where integration and functional coupling are key. So far, several methods have been reported to enhance iPSC-CM maturation; however, these protocols are laborious, costly, and not easily scalable. Therefore, we developed a simple, low-cost, and rapid protocol to promote cardiomyocyte maturation using two small molecule activators of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β/δ and gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PPAR/PGC-1α) pathway: asiatic acid (AA) and GW501516 (GW). METHODS AND RESULTS: Monolayers of iPSC-CMs were incubated with AA or GW every other day for ten days resulting in increased expression of FA metabolism-related genes and markers for mitochondrial activity. AA-treated iPSC-CMs responsiveness to the mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibitors increased and exhibited higher flexibility in substrate utilization. Additionally, structural maturity improved after treatment as demonstrated by an increase in mRNA expression of sarcomeric-related genes and higher nuclear polyploidy in AA-treated samples. Furthermore, treatment led to increased ion channel gene expression and protein levels. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, we developed a fast, easy, and economical method to induce iPSC-CMs maturation via PPAR/PGC-1α activation. Treatment with AA or GW led to increased metabolic, structural, functional, and electrophysiological maturation, evaluated using a multiparametric quality assessment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nino Chirico
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Circulatory Health Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands ,grid.7692.a0000000090126352Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elise L. Kessler
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Circulatory Health Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands ,grid.7692.a0000000090126352Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Renée G. C. Maas
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Circulatory Health Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands ,grid.7692.a0000000090126352Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Juntao Fang
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Circulatory Health Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands ,grid.7692.a0000000090126352Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jiabin Qin
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Circulatory Health Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands ,grid.7692.a0000000090126352Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Inge Dokter
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Circulatory Health Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands ,grid.7692.a0000000090126352Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mark Daniels
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Circulatory Health Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands ,grid.7692.a0000000090126352Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tomo Šarić
- grid.6190.e0000 0000 8580 3777Center for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute for Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Klaus Neef
- grid.7692.a0000000090126352Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands ,grid.491096.3Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam Medical Centre, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan-Willem Buikema
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Circulatory Health Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands ,grid.7692.a0000000090126352Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Zhiyong Lei
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Circulatory Health Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands ,grid.7692.a0000000090126352Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter A. Doevendans
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Circulatory Health Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands ,grid.7692.a0000000090126352Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands ,grid.411737.7Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Joost P. G. Sluijter
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Circulatory Health Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands ,grid.7692.a0000000090126352Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Alain van Mil
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Circulatory Health Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands ,grid.7692.a0000000090126352Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Morris TA, Eldeen S, Tran RDH, Grosberg A. A comprehensive review of computational and image analysis techniques for quantitative evaluation of striated muscle tissue architecture. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2022; 3:041302. [PMID: 36407035 PMCID: PMC9667907 DOI: 10.1063/5.0057434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Unbiased evaluation of morphology is crucial to understanding development, mechanics, and pathology of striated muscle tissues. Indeed, the ability of striated muscles to contract and the strength of their contraction is dependent on their tissue-, cellular-, and cytoskeletal-level organization. Accordingly, the study of striated muscles often requires imaging and assessing aspects of their architecture at multiple different spatial scales. While an expert may be able to qualitatively appraise tissues, it is imperative to have robust, repeatable tools to quantify striated myocyte morphology and behavior that can be used to compare across different labs and experiments. There has been a recent effort to define the criteria used by experts to evaluate striated myocyte architecture. In this review, we will describe metrics that have been developed to summarize distinct aspects of striated muscle architecture in multiple different tissues, imaged with various modalities. Additionally, we will provide an overview of metrics and image processing software that needs to be developed. Importantly to any lab working on striated muscle platforms, characterization of striated myocyte morphology using the image processing pipelines discussed in this review can be used to quantitatively evaluate striated muscle tissues and contribute to a robust understanding of the development and mechanics of striated muscles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Eldeen
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-2700, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Abstract
An ensemble of in vitro cardiac tissue models has been developed over the past several decades to aid our understanding of complex cardiovascular disorders using a reductionist approach. These approaches often rely on recapitulating single or multiple clinically relevant end points in a dish indicative of the cardiac pathophysiology. The possibility to generate disease-relevant and patient-specific human induced pluripotent stem cells has further leveraged the utility of the cardiac models as screening tools at a large scale. To elucidate biological mechanisms in the cardiac models, it is critical to integrate physiological cues in form of biochemical, biophysical, and electromechanical stimuli to achieve desired tissue-like maturity for a robust phenotyping. Here, we review the latest advances in the directed stem cell differentiation approaches to derive a wide gamut of cardiovascular cell types, to allow customization in cardiac model systems, and to study diseased states in multiple cell types. We also highlight the recent progress in the development of several cardiovascular models, such as cardiac organoids, microtissues, engineered heart tissues, and microphysiological systems. We further expand our discussion on defining the context of use for the selection of currently available cardiac tissue models. Last, we discuss the limitations and challenges with the current state-of-the-art cardiac models and highlight future directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dilip Thomas
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA (D.T., C.A., J.C.W.).,Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA (D.T., C.A., J.C.W.)
| | - Suji Choi
- Disease Biophysics Group, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA (S.C., K.K.P.)
| | - Christina Alamana
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA (D.T., C.A., J.C.W.).,Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA (D.T., C.A., J.C.W.)
| | - Kevin Kit Parker
- Disease Biophysics Group, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA (S.C., K.K.P.).,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Boston, MA (K.K.P.)
| | - Joseph C Wu
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA (D.T., C.A., J.C.W.).,Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA (D.T., C.A., J.C.W.).,Greenstone Biosciences, Palo Alto, CA (J.C.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Gomes MR, Castelo Ferreira F, Sanjuan-Alberte P. Electrospun piezoelectric scaffolds for cardiac tissue engineering. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2022; 137:212808. [PMID: 35929248 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2022.212808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The use of smart materials in tissue engineering is becoming increasingly appealing to provide additional functionalities and control over cell fate. The stages of tissue development and regeneration often require various electrical and electromechanical cues supported by the extracellular matrix, which is often neglected in most tissue engineering approaches. Particularly, in cardiac cells, electrical signals modulate cell activity and are responsible for the maintenance of the excitation-contraction coupling. Addition of electroconductive and topographical cues improves the biomimicry of cardiac tissues and plays an important role in driving cells towards the desired phenotype. Current platforms used to apply electrical stimulation to cells in vitro often require large external equipment and wires and electrodes immersed in the culture media, limiting the scalability and applicability of this process. Piezoelectric materials represent a shift in paradigm in materials and methods aimed at providing electrical stimulation to cardiac cells since they can produce and deliver electrical signals to cells and tissues by mechanoelectrical transduction. Despite the ability of piezoelectric materials to mimic the mechanoelectrical transduction of the heart, the use of these materials is limited in cardiac tissue engineering and methods to characterise piezoelectricity are often built in-house, which poses an additional difficulty when comparing results from the literature. In this work, we aim at providing an overview of the main challenges in cardiac tissue engineering and how piezoelectric materials could offer a solution to them. A revision on the existing literature in electrospun piezoelectric materials applied to cardiac tissue engineering is performed for the first time, as electrospinning plays an important role in the manufacturing of scaffolds with enhanced piezoelectricity and extracellular matrix native-like morphology. Finally, an overview of the current techniques used to evaluate piezoelectricity and their limitations is provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Ramalho Gomes
- Department of Bioengineering and Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Frederico Castelo Ferreira
- Department of Bioengineering and Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paola Sanjuan-Alberte
- Department of Bioengineering and Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Bioengineering approaches to treat the failing heart: from cell biology to 3D printing. Nat Rev Cardiol 2022; 19:83-99. [PMID: 34453134 DOI: 10.1038/s41569-021-00603-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Successfully engineering a functional, human, myocardial pump would represent a therapeutic alternative for the millions of patients with end-stage heart disease and provide an alternative to animal-based preclinical models. Although the field of cardiac tissue engineering has made tremendous advances, major challenges remain, which, if properly resolved, might allow the clinical implementation of engineered, functional, complex 3D structures in the future. In this Review, we provide an overview of state-of-the-art studies, challenges that have not yet been overcome and perspectives on cardiac tissue engineering. We begin with the most clinically relevant cell sources used in this field and discuss the use of topological, biophysical and metabolic stimuli to obtain mature phenotypes of cardiomyocytes, particularly in relation to organized cytoskeletal and contractile intracellular structures. We then move from the cellular level to engineering planar cardiac patches and discuss the need for proper vascularization and the main strategies for obtaining it. Finally, we provide an overview of several different approaches for the engineering of volumetric organs and organ parts - from whole-heart decellularization and recellularization to advanced 3D printing technologies.
Collapse
|
13
|
Müller D, Donath S, Brückner EG, Biswanath Devadas S, Daniel F, Gentemann L, Zweigerdt R, Heisterkamp A, Kalies SMK. How Localized Z-Disc Damage Affects Force Generation and Gene Expression in Cardiomyocytes. Bioengineering (Basel) 2021; 8:bioengineering8120213. [PMID: 34940366 PMCID: PMC8698600 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering8120213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The proper function of cardiomyocytes (CMs) is highly related to the Z-disc, which has a pivotal role in orchestrating the sarcomeric cytoskeletal function. To better understand Z-disc related cardiomyopathies, novel models of Z-disc damage have to be developed. Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived CMs can serve as an in vitro model to better understand the sarcomeric cytoskeleton. A femtosecond laser system can be applied for localized and defined damage application within cells as single Z-discs can be removed. We have investigated the changes in force generation via traction force microscopy, and in gene expression after Z-disc manipulation in hPSC-derived CMs. We observed a significant weakening of force generation after removal of a Z-disc. However, no significant changes of the number of contractions after manipulation were detected. The stress related gene NF-kB was significantly upregulated. Additionally, α-actinin (ACTN2) and filamin-C (FLNc) were upregulated, pointing to remodeling of the Z-disc and the sarcomeric cytoskeleton. Ultimately, cardiac troponin I (TNNI3) and cardiac muscle troponin T (TNNT2) were significantly downregulated. Our results allow a better understanding of transcriptional coupling of Z-disc damage and the relation of damage to force generation and can therefore finally pave the way to novel therapies of sarcomeric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Müller
- Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany; (D.M.); (S.D.); (E.G.B.); (F.D.); (L.G.); (A.H.)
- REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (S.B.D.); (R.Z.)
- Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering and Implant Research and Development (NIFE), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Sören Donath
- Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany; (D.M.); (S.D.); (E.G.B.); (F.D.); (L.G.); (A.H.)
- Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering and Implant Research and Development (NIFE), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Emanuel Georg Brückner
- Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany; (D.M.); (S.D.); (E.G.B.); (F.D.); (L.G.); (A.H.)
- Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering and Implant Research and Development (NIFE), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Santoshi Biswanath Devadas
- REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (S.B.D.); (R.Z.)
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Fiene Daniel
- Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany; (D.M.); (S.D.); (E.G.B.); (F.D.); (L.G.); (A.H.)
- Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering and Implant Research and Development (NIFE), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Lara Gentemann
- Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany; (D.M.); (S.D.); (E.G.B.); (F.D.); (L.G.); (A.H.)
- REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (S.B.D.); (R.Z.)
- Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering and Implant Research and Development (NIFE), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Robert Zweigerdt
- REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (S.B.D.); (R.Z.)
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Alexander Heisterkamp
- Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany; (D.M.); (S.D.); (E.G.B.); (F.D.); (L.G.); (A.H.)
- REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (S.B.D.); (R.Z.)
- Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering and Implant Research and Development (NIFE), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefan Michael Klaus Kalies
- Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany; (D.M.); (S.D.); (E.G.B.); (F.D.); (L.G.); (A.H.)
- REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (S.B.D.); (R.Z.)
- Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering and Implant Research and Development (NIFE), 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Cisterna B, Malatesta M, Zancanaro C, Boschi F. A computational approach to quantitatively define sarcomere dimensions and arrangement in skeletal muscle. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2021; 211:106437. [PMID: 34624632 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2021.106437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The skeletal muscle is composed of integrated tissues mainly composed of myofibers i.e., long, cylindrical syncytia, whose cytoplasm is mostly occupied by parallel myofibrils. In section, each myofibril is organized in serially end-to-end arranged sarcomeres connected by Z lines. In muscle disorders, these structural and functional units can undergo structural alterations in terms of Z-line and sarcomere lengths, as well as lateral alignment of Z-line among adjacent myofibrils. In this view, objectifying alterations of the myofibril and sarcomere architecture would provide a solid foundation for qualitative observations. In this work, specific quantitative parameters characterizing the sarcomere and myofibril arrangement were defined using a computerized analysis of ultrastructural images. METHODS computerized analysis was carried out on transmission electron microscopy pictures of the murine vastus lateralis muscle. Samples from both euploid (control) and trisomic (showing myofiber alterations) Ts65Dn mice were used. Two routines were written in MATLAB to measure specific structural parameters on sarcomeres and myofibrils. The output included the Z-line, M-line, and sarcomere lengths, the Aspect Ratio (AsR) and Curviness (Cur) sarcomere shape parameters, myofibril axis (α angle), and the H parameter (evaluation of sequence of Z-lines of adjacent myofibrils). RESULTS Both routines worked well in control (euploid) skeletal muscle yielding consistent quantitative data of sarcomere and myofibril structural organization. In comparison with euploid, trisomic muscle showed statistically significant lower Z-line length, similar M-line length, and statistically significant lower sarcomere length. Both AsR and Cur were statistically significantly lower in trisomic muscle, suggesting the sarcomere is barrel-shaped in the latter. The angle (α) distribution showed that the sarcomere axes are almost parallel in euploid muscle, while a large variability occurs in trisomic tissue. The mean value of H was significantly higher in trisomic versus euploid muscle indicating that Z-lines are not perfectly aligned in trisomic muscle. CONCLUSIONS Our procedure allowed us to accurately extract and quantify sarcomere and myofibril parameters from the high-resolution electron micrographs thereby yielding an effective tool to quantitatively define trisomy-associated muscle alterations. These results pave the way to future objective quantification of skeletal muscle changes in pathological conditions. SHORT ABSTRACT The skeletal muscle is composed of integrated tissues mainly composed of myofibers i.e., long, cylindrical syncytia, whose cytoplasm is mostly occupied by parallel myofibrils organized in serially end-to-end arranged sarcomeres. Several pieces of evidence have highlighted that in muscle disorders and diseases the sarcomere structure may be altered. Therefore, objectifying alterations of the myofibril and sarcomere architecture would provide a solid foundation for qualitative observations. A computerized analysis was carried out on transmission electron microscopy images of euploid (control) and trisomic (showing myofiber alterations) skeletal muscle. Two routines were written in MATLAB to measure nine sarcomere and myofibril structural parameters. Our computational method confirmed and expanded on previous qualitative ultrastructural findings defining several trisomy-associated skeletal muscle alterations. The proposed procedure is a potentially useful tool to quantitatively define skeletal muscle changes in pathological conditions involving the sarcomere.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Cisterna
- Anatomy and Histology Section, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, Verona 37134, Italy
| | - Manuela Malatesta
- Anatomy and Histology Section, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, Verona 37134, Italy
| | - Carlo Zancanaro
- Anatomy and Histology Section, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, Verona 37134, Italy
| | - Federico Boschi
- Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, Verona 37134, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Zhao B, Zhang K, Chen CS, Lejeune E. Sarc-Graph: Automated segmentation, tracking, and analysis of sarcomeres in hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1009443. [PMID: 34613960 PMCID: PMC8523047 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
A better fundamental understanding of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) has the potential to advance applications ranging from drug discovery to cardiac repair. Automated quantitative analysis of beating hiPSC-CMs is an important and fast developing component of the hiPSC-CM research pipeline. Here we introduce “Sarc-Graph,” a computational framework to segment, track, and analyze sarcomeres in fluorescently tagged hiPSC-CMs. Our framework includes functions to segment z-discs and sarcomeres, track z-discs and sarcomeres in beating cells, and perform automated spatiotemporal analysis and data visualization. In addition to reporting good performance for sarcomere segmentation and tracking with little to no parameter tuning and a short runtime, we introduce two novel analysis approaches. First, we construct spatial graphs where z-discs correspond to nodes and sarcomeres correspond to edges. This makes measuring the network distance between each sarcomere (i.e., the number of connecting sarcomeres separating each sarcomere pair) straightforward. Second, we treat tracked and segmented components as fiducial markers and use them to compute the approximate deformation gradient of the entire tracked population. This represents a new quantitative descriptor of hiPSC-CM function. We showcase and validate our approach with both synthetic and experimental movies of beating hiPSC-CMs. By publishing Sarc-Graph, we aim to make automated quantitative analysis of hiPSC-CM behavior more accessible to the broader research community. Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Because of this, many researchers are studying heart cells in the lab and trying to create artificial heart tissue. Recently, there has been a growing focus on human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). These are cells that are safely sampled from living humans, for example from the blood or skin, that are then transformed into human heart muscle cells. One active research goal is to use these cells to repair the damaged heart. Another active research goal is to test new drugs on these cells before testing them in animals and humans. However, one major challenge is that hiPSC-CMs often have an irregular internal structure that is difficult to analyze. At present, their behavior is far from fully understood. To address this, we have created software to automatically analyze movies of beating hiPSC-CMs. With our software, it is possible to quantify properties such as the amount and direction of beating cell contraction, and the variation in behavior across different parts of each cell. These tools will enable further quantitative analysis of hiPSC-CMs. With these tools, it will be easier to understand, control, and optimize artificial heart tissue created with hiPSC-CMs, and quantify the effects of drugs on hiPSC-CM behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bill Zhao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kehan Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Christopher S. Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Emma Lejeune
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Mehrabi M, Morris TA, Cang Z, Nguyen CHH, Sha Y, Asad MN, Khachikyan N, Greene TL, Becker DM, Nie Q, Zaragoza MV, Grosberg A. A Study of Gene Expression, Structure, and Contractility of iPSC-Derived Cardiac Myocytes from a Family with Heart Disease due to LMNA Mutation. Ann Biomed Eng 2021; 49:3524-3539. [PMID: 34585335 PMCID: PMC8671287 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-021-02850-8] [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: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Genetic mutations to the Lamin A/C gene (LMNA) can cause heart disease, but the mechanisms making cardiac tissues uniquely vulnerable to the mutations remain largely unknown. Further, patients with LMNA mutations have highly variable presentation of heart disease progression and type. In vitro patient-specific experiments could provide a powerful platform for studying this phenomenon, but the use of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CM) introduces heterogeneity in maturity and function thus complicating the interpretation of the results of any single experiment. We hypothesized that integrating single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) with analysis of the tissue architecture and contractile function would elucidate some of the probable mechanisms. To test this, we investigated five iPSC-CM lines, three controls and two patients with a (c.357-2A>G) mutation. The patient iPSC-CM tissues had significantly weaker stress generation potential than control iPSC-CM tissues demonstrating the viability of our in vitro approach. Through scRNA-seq, differentially expressed genes between control and patient lines were identified. Some of these genes, linked to quantitative structural and functional changes, were cardiac specific, explaining the targeted nature of the disease progression seen in patients. The results of this work demonstrate the utility of combining in vitro tools in exploring heart disease mechanics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mehrsa Mehrabi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.,UCI Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Cardiovascular Innovation and Research Center (CIRC), University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Tessa A Morris
- UCI Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Cardiovascular Innovation and Research Center (CIRC), University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.,Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Zixuan Cang
- Department of Mathematics and Developmental & Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.,The NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Cecilia H H Nguyen
- Genetics & Genomics Division, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Yutong Sha
- Department of Mathematics and Developmental & Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Mira N Asad
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.,UCI Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Cardiovascular Innovation and Research Center (CIRC), University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Nyree Khachikyan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.,UCI Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Cardiovascular Innovation and Research Center (CIRC), University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Taylor L Greene
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.,UCI Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Cardiovascular Innovation and Research Center (CIRC), University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Danielle M Becker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.,UCI Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Cardiovascular Innovation and Research Center (CIRC), University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Qing Nie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.,Department of Mathematics and Developmental & Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.,The NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Michael V Zaragoza
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.,Genetics & Genomics Division, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Anna Grosberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA. .,UCI Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Cardiovascular Innovation and Research Center (CIRC), University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA. .,Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA. .,The NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA. .,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA. .,The Henry Samueli School of Engineering, University of California, Irvine, 2418 Engineering Hall, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Banaszkiewicz M, Olejnik A, Krzywonos-Zawadzka A, Hałucha K, Bil-Lula I. Expression of atrial‑fetal light chains in cultured human cardiomyocytes after chemical ischemia‑reperfusion injury. Mol Med Rep 2021; 24:770. [PMID: 34490485 PMCID: PMC8430302 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12410] [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: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrial light chains (ALC1) are naturally present in adult heart atria, while ventricular light chains (VLC1) are predominant in ventricles. Degradation of VLC1 and re-expression of ALC1 in heart ventricles are associated with heart disorders in response to pressure overload. The aim of the current study was to investigate changes in myosin light chain expression after simulated ischemia and simulated reperfusion (sI/sR). Human cardiomyocytes (HCM) isolated from adult heart ventricles were subjected to chemical ischemia. The control group was maintained under aerobic conditions. Myocyte injury was determined by testing lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. The gene expression of ALC1, VLC1 and MMP-2 were assessed by reverse transcription-quatitive PCR. Additionally, protein synthesis was measured using ELISA kits and MMP-2 activity was measured by zymography. The results revealed that LDH activity was increased in sI/sR cell-conditioned medium (P=0.02), confirming the ischemic damage of HCM. ALC1 gene expression and content in HCM were also increased in the sI/sR group (P=0.03 and P<0.001, respectively), while VLC1 gene expression after sI/sR was decreased (P=0.008). Furthermore, MMP-2 gene expression and synthesis were lower in the sI/sR group when compared with the aerobic control group (P<0.001 and P=0.03, respectively). MMP-2 activity was also increased in sI/sR cell-conditioned medium (P=0.006). In conclusion, sI/sR treatment led to increased ALC1 and decreased VLC1 expression in ventricular cardiomyocytes, which may constitute an adaptive mechanism to altered conditions and contribute to the improvement of heart function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Banaszkiewicz
- Division of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Haematology, Department of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, 50‑556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Olejnik
- Division of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Haematology, Department of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, 50‑556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Anna Krzywonos-Zawadzka
- Division of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Haematology, Department of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, 50‑556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Kornela Hałucha
- Division of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Haematology, Department of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, 50‑556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Iwona Bil-Lula
- Division of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Haematology, Department of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, 50‑556 Wroclaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Gerbin KA, Grancharova T, Donovan-Maiye RM, Hendershott MC, Anderson HG, Brown JM, Chen J, Dinh SQ, Gehring JL, Johnson GR, Lee H, Nath A, Nelson AM, Sluzewski MF, Viana MP, Yan C, Zaunbrecher RJ, Cordes Metzler KR, Gaudreault N, Knijnenburg TA, Rafelski SM, Theriot JA, Gunawardane RN. Cell states beyond transcriptomics: Integrating structural organization and gene expression in hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. Cell Syst 2021; 12:670-687.e10. [PMID: 34043964 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2021.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Although some cell types may be defined anatomically or by physiological function, a rigorous definition of cell state remains elusive. Here, we develop a quantitative, imaging-based platform for the systematic and automated classification of subcellular organization in single cells. We use this platform to quantify subcellular organization and gene expression in >30,000 individual human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, producing a publicly available dataset that describes the population distributions of local and global sarcomere organization, mRNA abundance, and correlations between these traits. While the mRNA abundance of some phenotypically important genes correlates with subcellular organization (e.g., the beta-myosin heavy chain, MYH7), these two cellular metrics are heterogeneous and often uncorrelated, which suggests that gene expression alone is not sufficient to classify cell states. Instead, we posit that cell state should be defined by observing full distributions of quantitative, multidimensional traits in single cells that also account for space, time, and function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaytlyn A Gerbin
- Allen Institute for Cell Science, 615 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Tanya Grancharova
- Allen Institute for Cell Science, 615 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Helen G Anderson
- Allen Institute for Cell Science, 615 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jackson M Brown
- Allen Institute for Cell Science, 615 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jianxu Chen
- Allen Institute for Cell Science, 615 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Stephanie Q Dinh
- Allen Institute for Cell Science, 615 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jamie L Gehring
- Allen Institute for Cell Science, 615 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Gregory R Johnson
- Allen Institute for Cell Science, 615 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - HyeonWoo Lee
- Allen Institute for Cell Science, 615 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Aditya Nath
- Allen Institute for Cell Science, 615 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - M Filip Sluzewski
- Allen Institute for Cell Science, 615 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Matheus P Viana
- Allen Institute for Cell Science, 615 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Calysta Yan
- Allen Institute for Cell Science, 615 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Julie A Theriot
- Allen Institute for Cell Science, 615 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Inbody SC, Sinquefield BE, Lewis JP, Horton RE. Biomimetic microsystems for cardiovascular studies. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2021; 320:C850-C872. [PMID: 33760660 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00026.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Traditional tissue culture platforms have been around for several decades and have enabled key findings in the cardiovascular field. However, these platforms failed to recreate the mechanical and dynamic features found within the body. Organs-on-chips (OOCs) are cellularized microfluidic-based devices that can mimic the basic structure, function, and responses of organs. These systems have been successfully utilized in disease, development, and drug studies. OOCs are designed to recapitulate the mechanical, electrical, chemical, and structural features of the in vivo microenvironment. Here, we review cardiovascular-themed OOC studies, design considerations, and techniques used to generate these cellularized devices. Furthermore, we will highlight the advantages of OOC models over traditional cell culture vessels, discuss implementation challenges, and provide perspectives on the state of the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shelby C Inbody
- Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Biomedical Engineering Department, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Bridgett E Sinquefield
- Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Biomedical Engineering Department, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Joshua P Lewis
- Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Biomedical Engineering Department, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Renita E Horton
- Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Biomedical Engineering Department, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Dame K, Ribeiro AJ. Microengineered systems with iPSC-derived cardiac and hepatic cells to evaluate drug adverse effects. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2020; 246:317-331. [PMID: 32938227 PMCID: PMC7859673 DOI: 10.1177/1535370220959598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic and cardiac drug adverse effects are among the leading causes of attrition in drug development programs, in part due to predictive failures of current animal or in vitro models. Hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) hold promise for predicting clinical drug effects, given their human-specific properties and their ability to harbor genetically determined characteristics that underlie inter-individual variations in drug response. Currently, the fetal-like properties and heterogeneity of hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes differentiated from iPSCs make them physiologically different from their counterparts isolated from primary tissues and limit their use for predicting clinical drug effects. To address this hurdle, there have been ongoing advances in differentiation and maturation protocols to improve the quality and use of iPSC-differentiated lineages. Among these are in vitro hepatic and cardiac cellular microsystems that can further enhance the physiology of cultured cells, can be used to better predict drug adverse effects, and investigate drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics to facilitate successful drug development. In this article, we discuss how cellular microsystems can establish microenvironments for these applications and propose how they could be used for potentially controlling the differentiation of hepatocytes or cardiomyocytes. The physiological relevance of cells is enhanced in cellular microsystems by simulating properties of tissue microenvironments, such as structural dimensionality, media flow, microfluidic control of media composition, and co-cultures with interacting cell types. Recent studies demonstrated that these properties also affect iPSC differentiations and we further elaborate on how they could control differentiation efficiency in microengineered devices. In summary, we describe recent advances in the field of cellular microsystems that can control the differentiation and maturation of hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes for drug evaluation. We also propose how future research with iPSCs within engineered microenvironments could enable their differentiation for scalable evaluations of drug effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keri Dame
- Division of Applied Regulatory Science, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translation Sciences, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Alexandre Js Ribeiro
- Division of Applied Regulatory Science, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translation Sciences, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Kim MS, Fleres B, Lovett J, Anfinson M, Samudrala SSK, Kelly LJ, Teigen LE, Cavanaugh M, Marquez M, Geurts AM, Lough JW, Mitchell ME, Fitts RH, Tomita-Mitchell A. Contractility of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Cardiomyocytes With an MYH6 Head Domain Variant Associated With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:440. [PMID: 32656206 PMCID: PMC7324479 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a clinically and anatomically severe form of congenital heart disease; however, its etiology remains largely unknown. We previously demonstrated that genetic variants in the MYH6 gene are significantly associated with HLHS. Additionally, induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) from an HLHS-affected family trio (affected parent, unaffected parent, affected proband) carrying an MYH6-R443P head domain variant demonstrated dysmorphic sarcomere structure and increased compensatory MYH7 expression. Analysis of iPSC-CMs derived from the HLHS trio revealed that only beta myosin heavy chain expression was observed in CMs carrying the MYH6-R443P variant after differentiation day 15 (D15). Functional assessments performed between D20-D23 revealed that MYH6-R443P variant CMs contracted more slowly (40 ± 2 vs. 47 ± 2 contractions/min, P < 0.05), shortened less (5.6 ± 0.5 vs. 8.1 ± 0.7% of cell length, P < 0.05), and exhibited slower shortening rates (19.9 ± 1.7 vs. 28.1 ± 2.5 μm/s, P < 0.05) and relaxation rates (11.0 ± 0.9 vs. 19.7 ± 2.0 μm/s, P < 0.05). Treatment with isoproterenol had no effect on iPSC-CM mechanics. Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology, introduction of the R443P variant into the unaffected parent's iPSCs recapitulated the phenotype of the proband's iPSC-CMs, and conversely, correction of the R443P variant in the proband's iPSCs rescued the cardiomyogenic differentiation, sarcomere organization, slower contraction (P < 0.05) and decreased velocity phenotypes (P < 0.0001). This is the first report to identify that cardiac tissues from HLHS patients with MYH6 variants can exhibit sarcomere disorganization in atrial but not ventricular tissues. This new discovery was not unexpected, since MYH6 is expressed predominantly in the postnatal atria in humans. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of employing patient-derived iPSC-CMs, in combination with patient cardiac tissues, to gain mechanistic insight into how genetic variants can lead to HLHS. Results from this study suggest that decreased contractility of CMs due to sarcomere disorganization in the atria may effect hemodynamic changes preventing development of a normal left ventricle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min-Su Kim
- Division of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Herma Heart Institute, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Brandon Fleres
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Jerrell Lovett
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Melissa Anfinson
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Sai Suma K Samudrala
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Lauren J Kelly
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Laura E Teigen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Matthew Cavanaugh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Maribel Marquez
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Aron M Geurts
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - John W Lough
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Michael E Mitchell
- Division of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Herma Heart Institute, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Robert H Fitts
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Aoy Tomita-Mitchell
- Division of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Herma Heart Institute, Milwaukee, WI, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Parrotta EI, Lucchino V, Scaramuzzino L, Scalise S, Cuda G. Modeling Cardiac Disease Mechanisms Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes: Progress, Promises and Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4354. [PMID: 32575374 PMCID: PMC7352327 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a class of disorders affecting the heart or blood vessels. Despite progress in clinical research and therapy, CVDs still represent the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The hallmarks of cardiac diseases include heart dysfunction and cardiomyocyte death, inflammation, fibrosis, scar tissue, hyperplasia, hypertrophy, and abnormal ventricular remodeling. The loss of cardiomyocytes is an irreversible process that leads to fibrosis and scar formation, which, in turn, induce heart failure with progressive and dramatic consequences. Both genetic and environmental factors pathologically contribute to the development of CVDs, but the precise causes that trigger cardiac diseases and their progression are still largely unknown. The lack of reliable human model systems for such diseases has hampered the unraveling of the underlying molecular mechanisms and cellular processes involved in heart diseases at their initial stage and during their progression. Over the past decade, significant scientific advances in the field of stem cell biology have literally revolutionized the study of human disease in vitro. Remarkably, the possibility to generate disease-relevant cell types from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has developed into an unprecedented and powerful opportunity to achieve the long-standing ambition to investigate human diseases at a cellular level, uncovering their molecular mechanisms, and finally to translate bench discoveries into potential new therapeutic strategies. This review provides an update on previous and current research in the field of iPSC-driven cardiovascular disease modeling, with the aim of underlining the potential of stem-cell biology-based approaches in the elucidation of the pathophysiology of these life-threatening diseases.
Collapse
|
23
|
Lemcke H, Skorska A, Lang CI, Johann L, David R. Quantitative Evaluation of the Sarcomere Network of Human hiPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes Using Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21082819. [PMID: 32316650 PMCID: PMC7216082 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The maturation of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes is still a critical point for their application in cardiovascular research as well as for their clinical use. Although multiple differentiation protocols have been established, researchers failed to generate fully mature cardiomyocytes in vitro possessing identical phenotype-related and functional properties as their native adult counterparts. Besides electrophysiological and metabolic changes, the establishment of a well structured sarcomere network is important for the development of a mature cardiac phenotype. Here, we present a super resolution-based approach to quantitatively evaluate the structural maturation of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. Fluorescence labelling of the α-actinin cytoskeleton and subsequent visualization by photoactivated localization microscopy allows the acquisition of highly resolved images for measuring sarcomere length and z-disc thickness. Our image analysis revealed that iPSC and neonatal cardiomyocyte share high similarity with respect to their sarcomere organization, however, contraction capacity was inferior in iPSC-derived cardiac cells, indicating an early maturation level. Moreover, we demonstrate that this imaging approach can be used as a tool to monitor cardiomyocyte integrity, helping to optimize iPSC differentiation as well as somatic cell direct-reprogramming strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heiko Lemcke
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Reference and Translation Center for Cardiac Stem Cell Therapy (RTC), Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (H.L.); (A.S.); (L.J.)
- Faculty of Interdisciplinary Research, Department Life, Light & Matter, University Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
| | - Anna Skorska
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Reference and Translation Center for Cardiac Stem Cell Therapy (RTC), Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (H.L.); (A.S.); (L.J.)
- Faculty of Interdisciplinary Research, Department Life, Light & Matter, University Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
| | - Cajetan Immanuel Lang
- Department of Cardiology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany;
| | - Lisa Johann
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Reference and Translation Center for Cardiac Stem Cell Therapy (RTC), Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (H.L.); (A.S.); (L.J.)
- Faculty of Interdisciplinary Research, Department Life, Light & Matter, University Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
| | - Robert David
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Reference and Translation Center for Cardiac Stem Cell Therapy (RTC), Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (H.L.); (A.S.); (L.J.)
- Faculty of Interdisciplinary Research, Department Life, Light & Matter, University Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Gintant G, Traebert M. The roles of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes in drug discovery: managing in vitro safety study expectations. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 15:719-729. [PMID: 32129680 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1736549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte (hiPSC-CM) preparations are increasingly employed in in vitro cardiac safety studies to support candidate drug selection and regulatory submissions. The value of hiPSC-CM-based approaches depends on their ability to recapitulate the cellular mechanisms responsible for cardiotoxicity as well as overall assay characteristics (thus defining model performance). Different expectations at different drug development stages define the utility of these human-derived models. AREAS COVERED Herein, the authors review the importance of understanding the functional characteristics of the evolving spectrum of simpler (2D) and more complex (co-cultures, 3D constructs, and engineered tissues) human-derived cardiac preparations, and how their performance may be evaluated based on analytical sensitivity, variability, and reproducibility in order to correctly match preparations with expectations of different safety assays. The need for consensus clinical examples of electrophysiologic, contractile, and structural cardiotoxicities essential for benchmarking human-derived models is also discussed. EXPERT OPINION It is helpful (but not essential) that hiPSC-CMs preparations fully recapitulate pharmacological responses of native adult human ventricular myocytes when evaluating cardiotoxicity in vitro. Further calibration and model standardization (aligning concordance with clinical findings) are necessary to understand the role of hiPSC-CMs in guiding cardiotoxicity assessments in early drug discovery efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gary Gintant
- Department of Integrative Pharmacology (ZR13), AP-9A-LL, AbbVie Inc. , North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Martin Traebert
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research , Safety Pharmacology, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Morris TA, Naik J, Fibben KS, Kong X, Kiyono T, Yokomori K, Grosberg A. Striated myocyte structural integrity: Automated analysis of sarcomeric z-discs. PLoS Comput Biol 2020; 16:e1007676. [PMID: 32130207 PMCID: PMC7075639 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
As sarcomeres produce the force necessary for contraction, assessment of sarcomere order is paramount in evaluation of cardiac and skeletal myocytes. The uniaxial force produced by sarcomeres is ideally perpendicular to their z-lines, which couple parallel myofibrils and give cardiac and skeletal myocytes their distinct striated appearance. Accordingly, sarcomere structure is often evaluated by staining for z-line proteins such as α-actinin. However, due to limitations of current analysis methods, which require manual or semi-manual handling of images, the mechanism by which sarcomere and by extension z-line architecture can impact contraction and which characteristics of z-line architecture should be used to assess striated myocytes has not been fully explored. Challenges such as isolating z-lines from regions of off-target staining that occur along immature stress fibers and cell boundaries and choosing metrics to summarize overall z-line architecture have gone largely unaddressed in previous work. While an expert can qualitatively appraise tissues, these challenges leave researchers without robust, repeatable tools to assess z-line architecture across different labs and experiments. Additionally, the criteria used by experts to evaluate sarcomeric architecture have not been well-defined. We address these challenges by providing metrics that summarize different aspects of z-line architecture that correspond to expert tissue quality assessment and demonstrate their efficacy through an examination of engineered tissues and single cells. In doing so, we have elucidated a mechanism by which highly elongated cardiomyocytes become inefficient at producing force. Unlike previous manual or semi-manual methods, characterization of z-line architecture using the metrics discussed and implemented in this work can quantitatively evaluate engineered tissues and contribute to a robust understanding of the development and mechanics of striated muscles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Altair Morris
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Jasmine Naik
- Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Kirby Sinclair Fibben
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Xiangduo Kong
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Tohru Kiyono
- Division of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kyoko Yokomori
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Anna Grosberg
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Helms AS, Tang VT, O'Leary TS, Friedline S, Wauchope M, Arora A, Wasserman AH, Smith ED, Lee LM, Wen XW, Shavit JA, Liu AP, Previs MJ, Day SM. Effects of MYBPC3 loss-of-function mutations preceding hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. JCI Insight 2020; 5:133782. [PMID: 31877118 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.133782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in cardiac myosin binding protein C (MyBP-C, encoded by MYBPC3) are the most common cause of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Most MYBPC3 mutations result in premature termination codons (PTCs) that cause RNA degradation and a reduction of MyBP-C in HCM patient hearts. However, a reduction in MyBP-C has not been consistently observed in MYBPC3-mutant induced pluripotent stem cell cardiomyocytes (iPSCMs). To determine early MYBPC3 mutation effects, we used patient and genome-engineered iPSCMs. iPSCMs with frameshift mutations were compared with iPSCMs with MYBPC3 promoter and translational start site deletions, revealing that allelic loss of function is the primary inciting consequence of mutations causing PTCs. Despite a reduction in wild-type mRNA in all heterozygous iPSCMs, no reduction in MyBP-C protein was observed, indicating protein-level compensation through what we believe is a previously uncharacterized mechanism. Although homozygous mutant iPSCMs exhibited contractile dysregulation, heterozygous mutant iPSCMs had normal contractile function in the context of compensated MyBP-C levels. Agnostic RNA-Seq analysis revealed differential expression in genes involved in protein folding as the only dysregulated gene set. To determine how MYBPC3-mutant iPSCMs achieve compensated MyBP-C levels, sarcomeric protein synthesis and degradation were measured with stable isotope labeling. Heterozygous mutant iPSCMs showed reduced MyBP-C synthesis rates but a slower rate of MyBP-C degradation. These findings indicate that cardiomyocytes have an innate capacity to attain normal MyBP-C stoichiometry despite MYBPC3 allelic loss of function due to truncating mutations. Modulating MyBP-C degradation to maintain MyBP-C protein levels may be a novel treatment approach upstream of contractile dysfunction for HCM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam S Helms
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Vi T Tang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Thomas S O'Leary
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Sabrina Friedline
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Mick Wauchope
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Akul Arora
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Eric D Smith
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | | | | | - Allen P Liu
- Mechanical Engineering.,Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Michael J Previs
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Sharlene M Day
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Departments of Molecular and Integrative Physiology
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Finkelstein J, Parvanova I, Zhang F. Informatics Approaches for Harmonized Intelligent Integration of Stem Cell Research. Stem Cells Cloning 2020; 13:1-20. [PMID: 32099411 PMCID: PMC6996484 DOI: 10.2147/sccaa.s237361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
As biomedical data integration and analytics play an increasing role in the field of stem cell research, it becomes important to develop ways to standardize, aggregate, and share data among researchers. For this reason, many databases have been developed in recent years in an attempt to systematically warehouse data from different stem cell projects and experiments at the same time. However, these databases vary widely in their implementation and structure. The aim of this scoping review is to characterize the main features of available stem cell databases in order to identify specifications useful for implementation in future stem cell databases. We conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed literature and online resources to identify and review available stem cell databases. To identify the relevant databases, we performed a PubMed search using relevant MeSH terms followed by a web search for databases which may not have an associated journal article. In total, we identified 16 databases to include in this review. The data elements reported in these databases represented a broad spectrum of parameters from basic socio-demographic variables to various cells characteristics, cell surface markers expression, and clinical trial results. Three broad sets of functional features that provide utility for future stem cell research and facilitate bioinformatics workflows were identified. These features consisted of the following: common data elements, data visualization and analysis tools, and biomedical ontologies for data integration. Stem cell bioinformatics is a quickly evolving field that generates a growing number of heterogeneous data sets. Further progress in the stem cell research may be greatly facilitated by development of applications for intelligent stem cell data aggregation, sharing and collaboration process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Finkelstein
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Irena Parvanova
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Frederick Zhang
- Center for Bioinformatics and Data Analytics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Jang Y, Jung DJ, Choi SC, Lim DS, Kim JH, Jeoung GS, Kim J, Park Y. Multidimensional assembly using layer-by-layer deposition for synchronized cardiac macro tissues. RSC Adv 2020; 10:18806-18815. [PMID: 35693693 PMCID: PMC9122566 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra01577f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The fabrication of biomimetic structures for tissues and organs is emerging in the fields of biomedical engineering and precision medicine. While current progress in biomedical research provides a number of biofabrication methods, the construction of multi-dimensional cardiac tissue is highly challenging due to difficulties in the maturation and synchronization of cardiomyocytes (CMs) in conjunction with other types of cells, such as myofibroblasts and endothelial cells. Here, we show a simple fabrication methodology to construct multi-dimensional cardiac macro tissue (mCMT) by layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition of cells on micro patterned PDMS. mCMTs formed by LBL deposition of pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts formed 3D patterned structures with synchronized beating characteristics. We also demonstrate that cardiac maturation factors such as the gene expression of MLC2v and cTNI and formation of sarcomeres in mCMTs were significantly enhanced by LBL deposition and growth factors during the maturation process. Fabrication of matured mCMTs with synchronized beating enables providing an efficient platform for evaluating the efficacy and toxicity of drug candidates. These results have important implications because mCMTs are applicable to diverse in vitro studies and drug screening methods that require tissue-like structures and functions in a physiological environment. We fabricated a cardiac macro tissue with synchronized beating by layer-by-layer deposition and evaluated the effect of drug candidates.![]()
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongjun Jang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Da Jung Jung
- Biomedical Engineering Research Center, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung-Cheol Choi
- Departments of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Do-Sun Lim
- Departments of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong-Hoon Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Gi Seok Jeoung
- Biomedical Engineering Research Center, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jongseong Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yongdoo Park
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Muscle tissue engineering in fibrous gelatin: implications for meat analogs. NPJ Sci Food 2019; 3:20. [PMID: 31646181 PMCID: PMC6803664 DOI: 10.1038/s41538-019-0054-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioprocessing applications that derive meat products from animal cell cultures require food-safe culture substrates that support volumetric expansion and maturation of adherent muscle cells. Here we demonstrate scalable production of microfibrous gelatin that supports cultured adherent muscle cells derived from cow and rabbit. As gelatin is a natural component of meat, resulting from collagen denaturation during processing and cooking, our extruded gelatin microfibers recapitulated structural and biochemical features of natural muscle tissues. Using immersion rotary jet spinning, a dry-jet wet-spinning process, we produced gelatin fibers at high rates (~ 100 g/h, dry weight) and, depending on process conditions, we tuned fiber diameters between ~ 1.3 ± 0.1 μm (mean ± SEM) and 8.7 ± 1.4 μm (mean ± SEM), which are comparable to natural collagen fibers. To inhibit fiber degradation during cell culture, we crosslinked them either chemically or by co-spinning gelatin with a microbial crosslinking enzyme. To produce meat analogs, we cultured bovine aortic smooth muscle cells and rabbit skeletal muscle myoblasts in gelatin fiber scaffolds, then used immunohistochemical staining to verify that both cell types attached to gelatin fibers and proliferated in scaffold volumes. Short-length gelatin fibers promoted cell aggregation, whereas long fibers promoted aligned muscle tissue formation. Histology, scanning electron microscopy, and mechanical testing demonstrated that cultured muscle lacked the mature contractile architecture observed in natural muscle but recapitulated some of the structural and mechanical features measured in meat products.
Collapse
|
30
|
Lyra-Leite DM, Andres AM, Cho N, Petersen AP, Ariyasinghe NR, Kim SS, Gottlieb RA, McCain ML. Matrix-guided control of mitochondrial function in cardiac myocytes. Acta Biomater 2019; 97:281-295. [PMID: 31401347 PMCID: PMC6801042 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2019.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In ventricular myocardium, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling is a hallmark of physiological and pathological growth, coincident with metabolic rewiring of cardiac myocytes. However, the direct impact of the biochemical and mechanical properties of the ECM on the metabolic function of cardiac myocytes is mostly unknown. Furthermore, understanding the impact of distinct biomaterials on cardiac myocyte metabolism is critical for engineering physiologically-relevant models of healthy and diseased myocardium. For these reasons, we systematically measured morphological and metabolic responses of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes cultured on fibronectin- or gelatin-coated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) of three elastic moduli and gelatin hydrogels with four elastic moduli. On all substrates, total protein content, cell morphology, and the ratio of mitochondrial DNA to nuclear DNA were preserved. Cytotoxicity was low on all substrates, although slightly higher on PDMS compared to gelatin hydrogels. We also quantified oxygen consumption rates and extracellular acidification rates using a Seahorse extracellular flux analyzer. Our data indicate that several metrics associated with baseline glycolysis and baseline and maximum mitochondrial function are enhanced when cardiac myocytes are cultured on gelatin hydrogels compared to all PDMS substrates, irrespective of substrate rigidity. These results yield new insights into how mechanical and biochemical cues provided by the ECM impact mitochondrial function in cardiac myocytes. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Cardiac development and disease are associated with remodeling of the extracellular matrix coincident with metabolic rewiring of cardiac myocytes. However, little is known about the direct impact of the biochemical and mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix on the metabolic function of cardiac myocytes. In this study, oxygen consumption rates were measured in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes maintained on several commonly-used biomaterial substrates to reveal new relationships between the extracellular matrix and cardiac myocyte metabolism. Several mitochondrial parameters were enhanced on gelatin hydrogels compared to synthetic PDMS substrates. These data are important for comprehensively understanding matrix-regulation of cardiac myocyte physiology. Additionally, these data should be considered when selecting scaffolds for engineering in vitro cardiac tissue models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Davi M Lyra-Leite
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles CA, 90089, United States
| | - Allen M Andres
- Smidt Heart Institute and Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles CA, 90048, United States
| | - Nathan Cho
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles CA, 90089, United States
| | - Andrew P Petersen
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles CA, 90089, United States
| | - Nethika R Ariyasinghe
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles CA, 90089, United States
| | - Suyon Sarah Kim
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles CA, 90089, United States
| | - Roberta A Gottlieb
- Smidt Heart Institute and Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles CA, 90048, United States
| | - Megan L McCain
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles CA, 90089, United States; Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles CA, 90033, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Gintant G, Burridge P, Gepstein L, Harding S, Herron T, Hong C, Jalife J, Wu JC. Use of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes in Preclinical Cancer Drug Cardiotoxicity Testing: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circ Res 2019; 125:e75-e92. [PMID: 31533542 DOI: 10.1161/res.0000000000000291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
It is now well recognized that many lifesaving oncology drugs may adversely affect the heart and cardiovascular system, including causing irreversible cardiac injury that can result in reduced quality of life. These effects, which may manifest in the short term or long term, are mechanistically not well understood. Research is hampered by the reliance on whole-animal models of cardiotoxicity that may fail to reflect the fundamental biology or cardiotoxic responses of the human myocardium. The emergence of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes as an in vitro research tool holds great promise for understanding drug-induced cardiotoxicity of oncological drugs that may manifest as contractile and electrophysiological dysfunction, as well as structural abnormalities, making it possible to deliver novel drugs free from cardiac liabilities and guide personalized therapy. This article briefly reviews the challenges of cardio-oncology, the strengths and limitations of using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes to represent clinical findings in the nonclinical research space, and future directions for their further use.
Collapse
|
32
|
Ribeiro AJS, Guth BD, Engwall M, Eldridge S, Foley CM, Guo L, Gintant G, Koerner J, Parish ST, Pierson JB, Brock M, Chaudhary KW, Kanda Y, Berridge B. Considerations for an In Vitro, Cell-Based Testing Platform for Detection of Drug-Induced Inotropic Effects in Early Drug Development. Part 2: Designing and Fabricating Microsystems for Assaying Cardiac Contractility With Physiological Relevance Using Human iPSC-Cardiomyocytes. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:934. [PMID: 31555128 PMCID: PMC6727630 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Contractility of the myocardium engines the pumping function of the heart and is enabled by the collective contractile activity of its muscle cells: cardiomyocytes. The effects of drugs on the contractility of human cardiomyocytes in vitro can provide mechanistic insight that can support the prediction of clinical cardiac drug effects early in drug development. Cardiomyocytes differentiated from human-induced pluripotent stem cells have high potential for overcoming the current limitations of contractility assays because they attach easily to extracellular materials and last long in culture, while having human- and patient-specific properties. Under these conditions, contractility measurements can be non-destructive and minimally invasive, which allow assaying sub-chronic effects of drugs. For this purpose, the function of cardiomyocytes in vitro must reflect physiological settings, which is not observed in cultured cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells because of the fetal-like properties of their contractile machinery. Primary cardiomyocytes or tissues of human origin fully represent physiological cellular properties, but are not easily available, do not last long in culture, and do not attach easily to force sensors or mechanical actuators. Microengineered cellular systems with a more mature contractile function have been developed in the last 5 years to overcome this limitation of stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, while simultaneously measuring contractile endpoints with integrated force sensors/actuators and image-based techniques. Known effects of engineered microenvironments on the maturity of cardiomyocyte contractility have also been discovered in the development of these systems. Based on these discoveries, we review here design criteria of microengineered platforms of cardiomyocytes derived from pluripotent stem cells for measuring contractility with higher physiological relevance. These criteria involve the use of electromechanical, chemical and morphological cues, co-culture of different cell types, and three-dimensional cellular microenvironments. We further discuss the use and the current challenges for developing and improving these novel technologies for predicting clinical effects of drugs based on contractility measurements with cardiomyocytes differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells. Future research should establish contexts of use in drug development for novel contractility assays with stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre J S Ribeiro
- Division of Applied Regulatory Science, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translation Sciences, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Brian D Guth
- Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany.,PreClinical Drug Development Platform (PCDDP), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Michael Engwall
- Safety Pharmacology and Animal Research Center, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
| | - Sandy Eldridge
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - C Michael Foley
- Department of Integrative Pharmacology, Integrated Sciences and Technology, AbbVie, North Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Liang Guo
- Laboratory of Investigative Toxicology, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Gary Gintant
- Department of Integrative Pharmacology, Integrated Sciences and Technology, AbbVie, North Chicago, IL, United States
| | - John Koerner
- Division of Applied Regulatory Science, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translation Sciences, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Stanley T Parish
- Health and Environmental Sciences Institute, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Jennifer B Pierson
- Health and Environmental Sciences Institute, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Mathew Brock
- Department of Safety Assessment, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Khuram W Chaudhary
- Global Safety Pharmacology, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Collegeville, PA, United States
| | - Yasunari Kanda
- Division of Pharmacology, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Brian Berridge
- National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Vajanthri KY, Sidu RK, Poddar S, Singh AK, Mahto SK. Combined substrate micropatterning and FFT analysis reveals myotube size control and alignment by contact guidance. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2019; 76:269-285. [DOI: 10.1002/cm.21527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Yellappa Vajanthri
- Tissue Engineering and Biomicrofluidics Laboratory, School of Biomedical EngineeringIndian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) Varanasi Uttar Pradesh India
| | - Rakesh Kumar Sidu
- Tissue Engineering and Biomicrofluidics Laboratory, School of Biomedical EngineeringIndian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) Varanasi Uttar Pradesh India
| | - Suruchi Poddar
- Tissue Engineering and Biomicrofluidics Laboratory, School of Biomedical EngineeringIndian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) Varanasi Uttar Pradesh India
| | - Ashish Kumar Singh
- School of Biochemical EngineeringIndian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) Varanasi Uttar Pradesh India
| | - Sanjeev Kumar Mahto
- Tissue Engineering and Biomicrofluidics Laboratory, School of Biomedical EngineeringIndian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) Varanasi Uttar Pradesh India
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials and Tissue EngineeringIndian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) Varanasi Uttar Pradesh India
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Ariyasinghe NR, Lyra-Leite DM, McCain ML. Engineering cardiac microphysiological systems to model pathological extracellular matrix remodeling. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2018; 315:H771-H789. [PMID: 29906229 PMCID: PMC6230901 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00110.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 05/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Many cardiovascular diseases are associated with pathological remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the myocardium. ECM remodeling is a complex, multifactorial process that often contributes to declines in myocardial function and progression toward heart failure. However, the direct effects of the many forms of ECM remodeling on myocardial cell and tissue function remain elusive, in part because conventional model systems used to investigate these relationships lack robust experimental control over the ECM. To address these shortcomings, microphysiological systems are now being developed and implemented to establish direct relationships between distinct features in the ECM and myocardial function with unprecedented control and resolution in vitro. In this review, we will first highlight the most prominent characteristics of ECM remodeling in cardiovascular disease and describe how these features can be mimicked with synthetic and natural biomaterials that offer independent control over multiple ECM-related parameters, such as rigidity and composition. We will then detail innovative microfabrication techniques that enable precise regulation of cellular architecture in two and three dimensions. We will also describe new approaches for quantifying multiple aspects of myocardial function in vitro, such as contractility, action potential propagation, and metabolism. Together, these collective technologies implemented as cardiac microphysiological systems will continue to uncover important relationships between pathological ECM remodeling and myocardial cell and tissue function, leading to new fundamental insights into cardiovascular disease, improved human disease models, and novel therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nethika R Ariyasinghe
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California , Los Angeles, California
| | - Davi M Lyra-Leite
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California , Los Angeles, California
| | - Megan L McCain
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California , Los Angeles, California
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California , Los Angeles, California
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Ahn S, Ardoña HAM, Lind JU, Eweje F, Kim SL, Gonzalez GM, Liu Q, Zimmerman JF, Pyrgiotakis G, Zhang Z, Beltran-Huarac J, Carpinone P, Moudgil BM, Demokritou P, Parker KK. Mussel-inspired 3D fiber scaffolds for heart-on-a-chip toxicity studies of engineered nanomaterials. Anal Bioanal Chem 2018; 410:6141-6154. [PMID: 29744562 PMCID: PMC6230313 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-018-1106-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Due to the unique physicochemical properties exhibited by materials with nanoscale dimensions, there is currently a continuous increase in the number of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) used in consumer goods. However, several reports associate ENM exposure to negative health outcomes such as cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, understanding the pathological consequences of ENM exposure represents an important challenge, requiring model systems that can provide mechanistic insights across different levels of ENM-based toxicity. To achieve this, we developed a mussel-inspired 3D microphysiological system (MPS) to measure cardiac contractility in the presence of ENMs. While multiple cardiac MPS have been reported as alternatives to in vivo testing, most systems only partially recapitulate the native extracellular matrix (ECM) structure. Here, we show how adhesive and aligned polydopamine (PDA)/polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofiber can be used to emulate the 3D native ECM environment of the myocardium. Such nanofiber scaffolds can support the formation of anisotropic and contractile muscular tissues. By integrating these fibers in a cardiac MPS, we assessed the effects of TiO2 and Ag nanoparticles on the contractile function of cardiac tissues. We found that these ENMs decrease the contractile function of cardiac tissues through structural damage to tissue architecture. Furthermore, the MPS with embedded sensors herein presents a way to non-invasively monitor the effects of ENM on cardiac tissue contractility at different time points. These results demonstrate the utility of our MPS as an analytical platform for understanding the functional impacts of ENMs while providing a biomimetic microenvironment to in vitro cardiac tissue samples. Graphical Abstract Heart-on-a-chip integrated with mussel-inspired fiber scaffolds for a high-throughput toxicological assessment of engineered nanomaterials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seungkuk Ahn
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Herdeline Ann M Ardoña
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Johan U Lind
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Feyisayo Eweje
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Sean L Kim
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Grant M Gonzalez
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Qihan Liu
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - John F Zimmerman
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Georgios Pyrgiotakis
- Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Zhenyuan Zhang
- Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Juan Beltran-Huarac
- Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Paul Carpinone
- Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Brij M Moudgil
- Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Philip Demokritou
- Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Kevin Kit Parker
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Wheelwright M, Win Z, Mikkila JL, Amen KY, Alford PW, Metzger JM. Investigation of human iPSC-derived cardiac myocyte functional maturation by single cell traction force microscopy. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194909. [PMID: 29617427 PMCID: PMC5884520 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances have made it possible to readily derive cardiac myocytes from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-CMs). HiPSC-CMs represent a valuable new experimental model for studying human cardiac muscle physiology and disease. Many laboratories have devoted substantial effort to examining the functional properties of isolated hiPSC-CMs, but to date, force production has not been adequately characterized. Here, we utilized traction force microscopy (TFM) with micro-patterning cell printing to investigate the maximum force production of isolated single hiPSC-CMs under varied culture and assay conditions. We examined the role of length of differentiation in culture and the effects of varied extracellular calcium concentration in the culture media on the maturation of hiPSC-CMs. Results show that hiPSC-CMs developing in culture for two weeks produced significantly less force than cells cultured from one to three months, with hiPSC-CMs cultured for three months resembling the cell morphology and function of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes in terms of size, dimensions, and force production. Furthermore, hiPSC-CMs cultured long term in conditions of physiologic calcium concentrations were larger and produced more force than hiPSC-CMs cultured in standard media with sub-physiological calcium. We also examined relationships between cell morphology, substrate stiffness and force production. Results showed a significant relationship between cell area and force. Implementing directed modifications of substrate stiffness, by varying stiffness from embryonic-like to adult myocardium-like, hiPSC-CMs produced maximal forces on substrates with a lower modulus and significantly less force when assayed on increasingly stiff adult myocardium-like substrates. Calculated strain energy measurements paralleled these findings. Collectively, these findings further establish single cell TFM as a valuable approach to illuminate the quantitative physiological maturation of force in hiPSC-CMs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Wheelwright
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Zaw Win
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Mikkila
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Kamilah Y. Amen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Patrick W. Alford
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Joseph M. Metzger
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Pasqualini FS, Agarwal A, O'Connor BB, Liu Q, Sheehy SP, Parker KK. Traction force microscopy of engineered cardiac tissues. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194706. [PMID: 29590169 PMCID: PMC5874032 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac tissue development and pathology have been shown to depend sensitively on microenvironmental mechanical factors, such as extracellular matrix stiffness, in both in vivo and in vitro systems. We present a novel quantitative approach to assess cardiac structure and function by extending the classical traction force microscopy technique to tissue-level preparations. Using this system, we investigated the relationship between contractile proficiency and metabolism in neonate rat ventricular myocytes (NRVM) cultured on gels with stiffness mimicking soft immature (1 kPa), normal healthy (13 kPa), and stiff diseased (90 kPa) cardiac microenvironments. We found that tissues engineered on the softest gels generated the least amount of stress and had the smallest work output. Conversely, cardiomyocytes in tissues engineered on healthy- and disease-mimicking gels generated significantly higher stresses, with the maximal contractile work measured in NRVM engineered on gels of normal stiffness. Interestingly, although tissues on soft gels exhibited poor stress generation and work production, their basal metabolic respiration rate was significantly more elevated than in other groups, suggesting a highly ineffective coupling between energy production and contractile work output. Our novel platform can thus be utilized to quantitatively assess the mechanotransduction pathways that initiate tissue-level structural and functional remodeling in response to substrate stiffness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Silvio Pasqualini
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
| | - Ashutosh Agarwal
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States of America
- Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Blakely Bussie O'Connor
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
| | - Qihan Liu
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
| | - Sean P. Sheehy
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
| | - Kevin Kit Parker
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Chantre CO, Campbell PH, Golecki HM, Buganza AT, Capulli AK, Deravi LF, Dauth S, Sheehy SP, Paten JA, Gledhill K, Doucet YS, Abaci HE, Ahn S, Pope BD, Ruberti JW, Hoerstrup SP, Christiano AM, Parker KK. Production-scale fibronectin nanofibers promote wound closure and tissue repair in a dermal mouse model. Biomaterials 2018; 166:96-108. [PMID: 29549768 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Wounds in the fetus can heal without scarring. Consequently, biomaterials that attempt to recapitulate the biophysical and biochemical properties of fetal skin have emerged as promising pro-regenerative strategies. The extracellular matrix (ECM) protein fibronectin (Fn) in particular is believed to play a crucial role in directing this regenerative phenotype. Accordingly, Fn has been implicated in numerous wound healing studies, yet remains untested in its fibrillar conformation as found in fetal skin. Here, we show that high extensional (∼1.2 ×105 s-1) and shear (∼3 ×105 s-1) strain rates in rotary jet spinning (RJS) can drive high throughput Fn fibrillogenesis (∼10 mL/min), thus producing nanofiber scaffolds that are used to effectively enhance wound healing. When tested on a full-thickness wound mouse model, Fn nanofiber dressings not only accelerated wound closure, but also significantly improved tissue restoration, recovering dermal and epidermal structures as well as skin appendages and adipose tissue. Together, these results suggest that bioprotein nanofiber fabrication via RJS could set a new paradigm for enhancing wound healing and may thus find use in a variety of regenerative medicine applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christophe O Chantre
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, ZH, Switzerland
| | - Patrick H Campbell
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Holly M Golecki
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Adrian T Buganza
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IL, USA
| | - Andrew K Capulli
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Leila F Deravi
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stephanie Dauth
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sean P Sheehy
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Paten
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, UK
| | - Karl Gledhill
- Department of Dermatology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yanne S Doucet
- Department of Dermatology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hasan E Abaci
- Department of Dermatology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Seungkuk Ahn
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin D Pope
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Ruberti
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, UK
| | - Simon P Hoerstrup
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, ZH, Switzerland
| | | | - Kevin Kit Parker
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Sutcliffe MD, Tan PM, Fernandez-Perez A, Nam YJ, Munshi NV, Saucerman JJ. High content analysis identifies unique morphological features of reprogrammed cardiomyocytes. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1258. [PMID: 29352247 PMCID: PMC5775342 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-19539-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into cardiomyocytes is a promising approach for cardiac regeneration but still faces challenges in efficiently generating mature cardiomyocytes. Systematic optimization of reprogramming protocols requires scalable, objective methods to assess cellular phenotype beyond what is captured by transcriptional signatures alone. To address this question, we automatically segmented reprogrammed cardiomyocytes from immunofluorescence images and analyzed cell morphology. We also introduce a method to quantify sarcomere structure using Haralick texture features, called SarcOmere Texture Analysis (SOTA). We show that induced cardiac-like myocytes (iCLMs) are highly variable in expression of cardiomyocyte markers, producing subtypes that are not typically seen in vivo. Compared to neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes, iCLMs have more variable cell size and shape, have less organized sarcomere structure, and demonstrate reduced sarcomere length. Taken together, these results indicate that traditional methods of assessing cardiomyocyte reprogramming by quantifying induction of cardiomyocyte marker proteins may not be sufficient to predict functionality. The automated image analysis methods described in this study may enable more systematic approaches for improving reprogramming techniques above and beyond existing algorithms that rely heavily on transcriptome profiling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Sutcliffe
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Philip M Tan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Antonio Fernandez-Perez
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Young-Jae Nam
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Nikhil V Munshi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.,McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.,Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Saucerman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Nawroth JC, Scudder LL, Halvorson RT, Tresback J, Ferrier JP, Sheehy SP, Cho A, Kannan S, Sunyovszki I, Goss JA, Campbell PH, Parker KK. Automated fabrication of photopatterned gelatin hydrogels for organ-on-chips applications. Biofabrication 2018; 10:025004. [PMID: 29337695 PMCID: PMC6221195 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/aa96de] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Organ-on-chip platforms aim to improve preclinical models for organ-level responses to novel drug compounds. Heart-on-a-chip assays in particular require tissue engineering techniques that rely on labor-intensive photolithographic fabrication or resolution-limited 3D printing of micropatterned substrates, which limits turnover and flexibility of prototyping. We present a rapid and automated method for large scale on-demand micropatterning of gelatin hydrogels for organ-on-chip applications using a novel biocompatible laser-etching approach. Fast and automated micropatterning is achieved via photosensitization of gelatin using riboflavin-5'phosphate followed by UV laser-mediated photoablation of the gel surface in user-defined patterns only limited by the resolution of the 15 μm wide laser focal point. Using this photopatterning approach, we generated microscale surface groove and pillar structures with feature dimensions on the order of 10-30 μm. The standard deviation of feature height was 0.3 μm, demonstrating robustness and reproducibility. Importantly, the UV-patterning process is non-destructive and does not alter gelatin micromechanical properties. Furthermore, as a quality control step, UV-patterned heart chip substrates were seeded with rat or human cardiac myocytes, and we verified that the resulting cardiac tissues achieved structural organization, contractile function, and long-term viability comparable to manually patterned gelatin substrates. Start-to-finish, UV-patterning shortened the time required to design and manufacture micropatterned gelatin substrates for heart-on-chip applications by up to 60% compared to traditional lithography-based approaches, providing an important technological advance enroute to automated and continuous manufacturing of organ-on-chips.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janna C. Nawroth
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Lisa L. Scudder
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ryan T. Halvorson
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jason Tresback
- Center for Nanoscale Systems, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - John P. Ferrier
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sean P. Sheehy
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alex Cho
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Suraj Kannan
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ilona Sunyovszki
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Josue A. Goss
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Patrick H. Campbell
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kevin Kit Parker
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Besser RR, Ishahak M, Mayo V, Carbonero D, Claure I, Agarwal A. Engineered Microenvironments for Maturation of Stem Cell Derived Cardiac Myocytes. Am J Cancer Res 2018; 8:124-140. [PMID: 29290797 PMCID: PMC5743464 DOI: 10.7150/thno.19441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Through the use of stem cell-derived cardiac myocytes, tissue-engineered human myocardial constructs are poised for modeling normal and diseased physiology of the heart, as well as discovery of novel drugs and therapeutic targets in a human relevant manner. This review highlights the recent bioengineering efforts to recapitulate microenvironmental cues to further the maturation state of newly differentiated cardiac myocytes. These techniques include long-term culture, co-culture, exposure to mechanical stimuli, 3D culture, cell-matrix interactions, and electrical stimulation. Each of these methods has produced various degrees of maturation; however, a standardized measure for cardiomyocyte maturation is not yet widely accepted by the scientific community.
Collapse
|
42
|
Fong AH, Romero-López M, Heylman CM, Keating M, Tran D, Sobrino A, Tran AQ, Pham HH, Fimbres C, Gershon PD, Botvinick EL, George SC, Hughes CCW. Three-Dimensional Adult Cardiac Extracellular Matrix Promotes Maturation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes. Tissue Eng Part A 2017; 22:1016-25. [PMID: 27392582 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2016.0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (CMs) have great potential in the development of new therapies for cardiovascular disease. In particular, human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) may prove especially advantageous due to their pluripotency, their self-renewal potential, and their ability to create patient-specific cell lines. Unfortunately, pluripotent stem cell-derived CMs are immature, with characteristics more closely resembling fetal CMs than adult CMs, and this immaturity has limited their use in drug screening and cell-based therapies. Extracellular matrix (ECM) influences cellular behavior and maturation, as does the geometry of the environment-two-dimensional (2D) versus three-dimensional (3D). We therefore tested the hypothesis that native cardiac ECM and 3D cultures might enhance the maturation of iPSC-derived CMs in vitro. We demonstrate that maturation of iPSC-derived CMs was enhanced when cells were seeded into a 3D cardiac ECM scaffold, compared with 2D culture. 3D cardiac ECM promoted increased expression of calcium-handling genes, Junctin, CaV1.2, NCX1, HCN4, SERCA2a, Triadin, and CASQ2. Consistent with this, we find that iPSC-derived CMs in 3D adult cardiac ECM show increased calcium signaling (amplitude) and kinetics (maximum upstroke and downstroke) compared with cells in 2D. Cells in 3D culture were also more responsive to caffeine, likely reflecting an increased availability of calcium in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Taken together, these studies provide novel strategies for maturing iPSC-derived CMs that may have applications in drug screening and transplantation therapies to treat heart disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley H Fong
- 1 Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences , UC Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Mónica Romero-López
- 2 Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Henry Samueli School of Engineering , UC Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Christopher M Heylman
- 2 Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Henry Samueli School of Engineering , UC Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Mark Keating
- 2 Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Henry Samueli School of Engineering , UC Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - David Tran
- 3 Department of Chemical Engineering and Material Science, The Henry Samueli School of Engineering , UC Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Agua Sobrino
- 1 Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences , UC Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Anh Q Tran
- 1 Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences , UC Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Hiep H Pham
- 1 Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences , UC Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Cristhian Fimbres
- 1 Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences , UC Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Paul D Gershon
- 1 Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences , UC Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Elliot L Botvinick
- 2 Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Henry Samueli School of Engineering , UC Irvine, Irvine, California.,4 The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology , UC Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Steven C George
- 5 Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Washington University in St. Louis , St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Christopher C W Hughes
- 1 Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences , UC Irvine, Irvine, California.,2 Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Henry Samueli School of Engineering , UC Irvine, Irvine, California.,4 The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology , UC Irvine, Irvine, California
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Worke LJ, Barthold JE, Seelbinder B, Novak T, Main RP, Harbin SL, Neu CP. Densification of Type I Collagen Matrices as a Model for Cardiac Fibrosis. Adv Healthc Mater 2017; 6. [PMID: 28881428 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201700114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 06/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is a disease state characterized by excessive collagenous matrix accumulation within the myocardium that can lead to ventricular dilation and systolic failure. Current treatment options are severely lacking due in part to the poor understanding of the complexity of molecular pathways involved in cardiac fibrosis. To close this gap, in vitro model systems that recapitulate the defining features of the fibrotic cellular environment are in need. Type I collagen, a major cardiac extracellular matrix protein and the defining component of fibrotic depositions, is an attractive choice for a fibrosis model, but demonstrates poor mechanical strength due to solubility limits. However, plastic compression of collagen matrices is shown to significantly increase its mechanical properties. Here, confined compression of oligomeric, type I collagen matrices is utilized to resemble defining hallmarks seen in fibrotic tissue such as increased collagen content, fibril thickness, and bulk compressive modulus. Cardiomyocytes seeded on compressed matrices show a strong beating abrogation as observed in cardiac fibrosis. Gene expression analysis of selected fibrosis markers indicates fibrotic activation and cardiomyocyte maturation with regard to the existing literature. With these results, a promising first step toward a facile heart-on-chip model is presented to study cardiac fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Logan J. Worke
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering; Purdue University; West Lafayette IN USA 47906
| | - Jeanne E. Barthold
- Department of Mechanical Engineering; University of Colorado Boulder; Boulder CO USA 80309
| | - Benjamin Seelbinder
- Department of Mechanical Engineering; University of Colorado Boulder; Boulder CO USA 80309
| | - Tyler Novak
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering; Purdue University; West Lafayette IN USA 47906
| | - Russell P. Main
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering; Purdue University; West Lafayette IN USA 47906
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences; Purdue University; West Lafayette IN USA 47906
| | - Sherry L. Harbin
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering; Purdue University; West Lafayette IN USA 47906
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences; Purdue University; West Lafayette IN USA 47906
| | - Corey P. Neu
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering; Purdue University; West Lafayette IN USA 47906
- Department of Mechanical Engineering; University of Colorado Boulder; Boulder CO USA 80309
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Yue X, Acun A, Zorlutuna P. Transcriptome profiling of 3D co-cultured cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells under oxidative stress using a photocrosslinkable hydrogel system. Acta Biomater 2017. [PMID: 28648749 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2017.06.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the most common among cardiovascular diseases. Endothelial cells (ECs) are considered to have protective effects on cardiomyocytes (CMs) under stress conditions such as MI; however, the paracrine CM-EC crosstalk and the resulting endogenous cellular responses that could contribute to this protective effect are not thoroughly investigated. Here we created biomimetic synthetic tissues containing CMs and human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived ECs (iECs), which showed improved cell survival compared to single cultures under conditions mimicking the aftermath of MI, and performed high-throughput RNA-sequencing to identify target pathways that could govern CM-iEC crosstalk and the resulting improvement in cell viability. Our results showed that single cultured CMs had different gene expression profiles compared to CMs co-cultured with iECs. More importantly, this gene expression profile was preserved in response to oxidative stress in co-cultured CMs while single cultured CMs showed a significantly different gene expression pattern under stress, suggesting a stabilizing effect of iECs on CMs under oxidative stress conditions. Furthermore, we have validated the in vivo relevance of our engineered model tissues by comparing the changes in the expression levels of several key genes of the encapsulated CMs and iECs with in vivo rat MI model data and clinical data, respectively. We conclude that iECs have protective effects on CMs under oxidative stress through stabilizing mitochondrial complexes, suppressing oxidative phosphorylation pathway and activating pathways such as the drug metabolism-cytochrome P450 pathway, Rap1 signaling pathway, and adrenergic signaling in cardiomyocytes pathway. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Heart diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. Oxidative stress is a common unwanted outcome that especially occurs due to the reperfusion following heart attack or heart surgery. Standard methods of in vivo analysis do not allow dissecting various intermingled parameters, while regular 2D cell culture approaches often fail to provide a biomimetic environment for the physiologically relevant cellular phenotypes. In this research, a systematic genome-wide transcriptome profiling was performed on myocardial cells in a biomimetic 3D hydrogel-based synthetic model tissue, for identifying possible target genes and pathways as protecting regulators against oxidative stress. Identification of such pathways would be very valuable for new strategies during heart disease treatment by reducing the cellular damage due to reperfusion injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoshan Yue
- University of Notre Dame, Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering Graduate Program, United States
| | - Aylin Acun
- University of Notre Dame, Bioengineering Graduate Program, United States
| | - Pinar Zorlutuna
- University of Notre Dame, Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering Graduate Program, United States; University of Notre Dame, Bioengineering Graduate Program, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Lyra-Leite DM, Andres AM, Petersen AP, Ariyasinghe NR, Cho N, Lee JA, Gottlieb RA, McCain ML. Mitochondrial function in engineered cardiac tissues is regulated by extracellular matrix elasticity and tissue alignment. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2017; 313:H757-H767. [PMID: 28733449 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00290.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria in cardiac myocytes are critical for generating ATP to meet the high metabolic demands associated with sarcomere shortening. Distinct remodeling of mitochondrial structure and function occur in cardiac myocytes in both developmental and pathological settings. However, the factors that underlie these changes are poorly understood. Because remodeling of tissue architecture and extracellular matrix (ECM) elasticity are also hallmarks of ventricular development and disease, we hypothesize that these environmental factors regulate mitochondrial function in cardiac myocytes. To test this, we developed a new procedure to transfer tunable polydimethylsiloxane disks microcontact-printed with fibronectin into cell culture microplates. We cultured Sprague-Dawley neonatal rat ventricular myocytes within the wells, which consistently formed tissues following the printed fibronectin, and measured oxygen consumption rate using a Seahorse extracellular flux analyzer. Our data indicate that parameters associated with baseline metabolism are predominantly regulated by ECM elasticity, whereas the ability of tissues to adapt to metabolic stress is regulated by both ECM elasticity and tissue alignment. Furthermore, bioenergetic health index, which reflects both the positive and negative aspects of oxygen consumption, was highest in aligned tissues on the most rigid substrate, suggesting that overall mitochondrial function is regulated by both ECM elasticity and tissue alignment. Our results demonstrate that mitochondrial function is regulated by both ECM elasticity and myofibril architecture in cardiac myocytes. This provides novel insight into how extracellular cues impact mitochondrial function in the context of cardiac development and disease.NEW & NOTEWORTHY A new methodology has been developed to measure O2 consumption rates in engineered cardiac tissues with independent control over tissue alignment and matrix elasticity. This led to the findings that matrix elasticity regulates basal mitochondrial function, whereas both matrix elasticity and tissue alignment regulate mitochondrial stress responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Davi M Lyra-Leite
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Allen M Andres
- Heart Institute and Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California; and
| | - Andrew P Petersen
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Nethika R Ariyasinghe
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Nathan Cho
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jezell A Lee
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Roberta A Gottlieb
- Heart Institute and Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California; and
| | - Megan L McCain
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; .,Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Capulli AK, Emmert MY, Pasqualini FS, Kehl D, Caliskan E, Lind JU, Sheehy SP, Park SJ, Ahn S, Weber B, Goss JA, Hoerstrup SP, Parker KK. JetValve: Rapid manufacturing of biohybrid scaffolds for biomimetic heart valve replacement. Biomaterials 2017; 133:229-241. [PMID: 28445803 PMCID: PMC5526340 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.04.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Tissue engineered scaffolds have emerged as a promising solution for heart valve replacement because of their potential for regeneration. However, traditional heart valve tissue engineering has relied on resource-intensive, cell-based manufacturing, which increases cost and hinders clinical translation. To overcome these limitations, in situ tissue engineering approaches aim to develop scaffold materials and manufacturing processes that elicit endogenous tissue remodeling and repair. Yet despite recent advances in synthetic materials manufacturing, there remains a lack of cell-free, automated approaches for rapidly producing biomimetic heart valve scaffolds. Here, we designed a jet spinning process for the rapid and automated fabrication of fibrous heart valve scaffolds. The composition, multiscale architecture, and mechanical properties of the scaffolds were tailored to mimic that of the native leaflet fibrosa and assembled into three dimensional, semilunar valve structures. We demonstrated controlled modulation of these scaffold parameters and show initial biocompatibility and functionality in vitro. Valves were minimally-invasively deployed via transapical access to the pulmonary valve position in an ovine model and shown to be functional for 15 h.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew K Capulli
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford St, Pierce Hall 321, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Maximillian Y Emmert
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford St, Pierce Hall 321, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IREM), University of Zurich, Center for Therapy Development/GMP, 13 Moussonstrasse, Zurich, 8044, CH, Switzerland; Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, 100 Ramistrasse, Zurich, 8091, CH, Switzerland
| | - Francesco S Pasqualini
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford St, Pierce Hall 321, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IREM), University of Zurich, Center for Therapy Development/GMP, 13 Moussonstrasse, Zurich, 8044, CH, Switzerland
| | - Debora Kehl
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IREM), University of Zurich, Center for Therapy Development/GMP, 13 Moussonstrasse, Zurich, 8044, CH, Switzerland
| | - Etem Caliskan
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IREM), University of Zurich, Center for Therapy Development/GMP, 13 Moussonstrasse, Zurich, 8044, CH, Switzerland; Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, 100 Ramistrasse, Zurich, 8091, CH, Switzerland
| | - Johan U Lind
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford St, Pierce Hall 321, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Sean P Sheehy
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford St, Pierce Hall 321, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Sung Jin Park
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford St, Pierce Hall 321, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Seungkuk Ahn
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford St, Pierce Hall 321, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Benedikt Weber
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford St, Pierce Hall 321, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IREM), University of Zurich, Center for Therapy Development/GMP, 13 Moussonstrasse, Zurich, 8044, CH, Switzerland
| | - Josue A Goss
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford St, Pierce Hall 321, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Simon P Hoerstrup
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford St, Pierce Hall 321, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IREM), University of Zurich, Center for Therapy Development/GMP, 13 Moussonstrasse, Zurich, 8044, CH, Switzerland
| | - Kevin Kit Parker
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford St, Pierce Hall 321, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Safety and efficacy of cardiopoietic stem cells in the treatment of post-infarction left-ventricular dysfunction – From cardioprotection to functional repair in a translational pig infarction model. Biomaterials 2017; 122:48-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 11/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
48
|
Ellis BW, Acun A, Can UI, Zorlutuna P. Human iPSC-derived myocardium-on-chip with capillary-like flow for personalized medicine. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2017; 11:024105. [PMID: 28396709 PMCID: PMC5367145 DOI: 10.1063/1.4978468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The heart wall tissue, or the myocardium, is one of the main targets in cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment. Animal models have not been sufficient in mimicking the human myocardium as evident by the very low clinical translation rates of cardiovascular drugs. Additionally, current in vitro models of the human myocardium possess several shortcomings such as lack of physiologically relevant co-culture of myocardial cells, lack of a 3D biomimetic environment, and the use of non-human cells. In this study, we address these shortcomings through the design and manufacture of a myocardium-on-chip (MOC) using 3D cell-laden hydrogel constructs and human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) derived myocardial cells. The MOC utilizes 3D spatially controlled co-culture of hiPSC derived cardiomyocytes (iCMs) and hiPSC derived endothelial cells (iECs) integrated among iCMs as well as in capillary-like side channels, to better mimic the microvasculature seen in native myocardium. We first fully characterized iCMs using immunostaining, genetic, and electrochemical analysis and iECs through immunostaining and alignment analysis to ensure their functionality, and then seeded these cells sequentially into the MOC device. We showed that iECs could be cultured within the microfluidic device without losing their phenotypic lineage commitment, and align with the flow upon physiological level shear stresses. We were able to incorporate iCMs within the device in a spatially controlled manner with the help of photocrosslinkable polymers. The iCMs were shown to be viable and functional within the device up to 7 days, and were integrated with the iECs. The iCMs and iECs in this study were derived from the same hiPSC cell line, essentially mimicking the myocardium of an individual human patient. Such devices are essential for personalized medicine studies where the individual drug response of patients with different genetic backgrounds can be tested in a physiologically relevant manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bradley W Ellis
- Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - Aylin Acun
- Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - U Isik Can
- Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Lind JU, Busbee TA, Valentine AD, Pasqualini FS, Yuan H, Yadid M, Park SJ, Kotikian A, Nesmith AP, Campbell PH, Vlassak JJ, Lewis JA, Parker KK. Instrumented cardiac microphysiological devices via multimaterial three-dimensional printing. NATURE MATERIALS 2017; 16:303-308. [PMID: 27775708 PMCID: PMC5321777 DOI: 10.1038/nmat4782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 432] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Biomedical research has relied on animal studies and conventional cell cultures for decades. Recently, microphysiological systems (MPS), also known as organs-on-chips, that recapitulate the structure and function of native tissues in vitro, have emerged as a promising alternative. However, current MPS typically lack integrated sensors and their fabrication requires multi-step lithographic processes. Here, we introduce a facile route for fabricating a new class of instrumented cardiac microphysiological devices via multimaterial three-dimensional (3D) printing. Specifically, we designed six functional inks, based on piezo-resistive, high-conductance, and biocompatible soft materials that enable integration of soft strain gauge sensors within micro-architectures that guide the self-assembly of physio-mimetic laminar cardiac tissues. We validated that these embedded sensors provide non-invasive, electronic readouts of tissue contractile stresses inside cell incubator environments. We further applied these devices to study drug responses, as well as the contractile development of human stem cell-derived laminar cardiac tissues over four weeks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johan U. Lind
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138 USA
| | - Travis A. Busbee
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138 USA
| | - Alexander D. Valentine
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138 USA
| | - Francesco S. Pasqualini
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138 USA
| | - Hongyan Yuan
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138 USA
| | - Moran Yadid
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138 USA
| | - Sung-Jin Park
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138 USA
| | - Arda Kotikian
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138 USA
| | - Alexander P. Nesmith
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138 USA
| | - Patrick H. Campbell
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138 USA
| | - Joost J. Vlassak
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138 USA
| | - Jennifer A. Lewis
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138 USA
- Correspondence should be addressed to: Kevin Kit Parker, 29 Oxford St., Cambridge, MA 02138, Phone: (617) 495-2850, Fax: (617) 495-9837, . Jennifer A. Lewis, 29 Oxford St., Cambridge, MA 02138, Phone: (617) 496-0233,
| | - Kevin K. Parker
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138 USA
- Correspondence should be addressed to: Kevin Kit Parker, 29 Oxford St., Cambridge, MA 02138, Phone: (617) 495-2850, Fax: (617) 495-9837, . Jennifer A. Lewis, 29 Oxford St., Cambridge, MA 02138, Phone: (617) 496-0233,
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Knight MB, Drew NK, McCarthy LA, Grosberg A. Emergent Global Contractile Force in Cardiac Tissues. Biophys J 2016; 110:1615-1624. [PMID: 27074686 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2016.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Revised: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The heart is a complex organ whose structure and function are intricately linked at multiple length scales. Although several advancements have been achieved in the field of cardiac tissue engineering, current in vitro cardiac tissues do not fully replicate the structure or function necessary for effective cardiac therapy and cardiotoxicity studies. This is partially due to a deficiency in current understandings of cardiac tissue organization's potential downstream effects, such as changes in gene expression levels. We developed a novel (to our knowledge) in vitro tool that can be used to decouple and quantify the contribution of organization and associated downstream effects to tissue function. To do so, cardiac tissue monolayers were designed into a parquet pattern to be organized anisotropically on a local scale, within a parquet tile, and with any desired organization on a global scale. We hypothesized that if the downstream effects were muted, the relationship between developed force and tissue organization could be modeled as a sum of force vectors. With the in vitro experimental platforms of parquet tissues and heart-on-a-chip devices, we were able to prove this hypothesis for both systolic and diastolic stresses. Thus, insight was gained into the relationship between the generated stress and global myofibril organization. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the developed quantitative tool could be used to estimate the changes in stress production due to downstream effects decoupled from tissue architecture. This has the potential to elucidate properties coupled to tissue architecture, which change force production and pumping function in the diseased heart or stem cell-derived tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meghan B Knight
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California; Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Nancy K Drew
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California; Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California; The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Linda A McCarthy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California; Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Anna Grosberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California; Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California; Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California; The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California.
| |
Collapse
|