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Chen P, Long J, Hua T, Zheng Z, Xiao Y, Chen L, Yu K, Wu W, Zhang S. Transcriptome and open chromatin analysis reveals the process of myocardial cell development and key pathogenic target proteins in Long QT syndrome type 7. J Transl Med 2024; 22:307. [PMID: 38528561 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05125-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Long QT syndrome type 7 (Andersen-Tawil syndrome, ATS), which is caused by KCNJ2 gene mutation, often leads to ventricular arrhythmia, periodic paralysis and skeletal malformations. The development, differentiation and electrophysiological maturation of cardiomyocytes (CMs) changes promote the pathophysiology of Long QT syndrome type 7(LQT7). We aimed to specifically reproduce the ATS disease phenotype and study the pathogenic mechanism. METHODS AND RESULTS We established a cardiac cell model derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to the phenotypes and electrophysiological function, and the establishment of a human myocardial cell model that specifically reproduces the symptoms of ATS provides a reliable platform for exploring the mechanism of this disease or potential drugs. The spontaneous pulsation rate of myocardial cells in the mutation group was significantly lower than that in the repair CRISPR group, the action potential duration was prolonged, and the Kir2.1 current of the inward rectifier potassium ion channel was decreased, which is consistent with the clinical symptoms of ATS patients. Only ZNF528, a chromatin-accessible TF related to pathogenicity, was continuously regulated beginning from the cardiac mesodermal precursor cell stage (day 4), and continued to be expressed at low levels, which was identified by WGCNA method and verified with ATAC-seq data in the mutation group. Subsequently, it indicated that seven pathways were downregulated (all p < 0.05) by used single sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis to evaluate the overall regulation of potassium-related pathways enriched in the transcriptome and proteome of late mature CMs. Among them, the three pathways (GO: 0008076, GO: 1990573 and GO: 0030007) containing the mutated gene KCNJ2 is involved that are related to the whole process by which a potassium ion enters the cell via the inward rectifier potassium channel to exert its effect were inhibited. The other four pathways are related to regulation of the potassium transmembrane pathway and sodium:potassium exchange ATPase (p < 0.05). ZNF528 small interfering (si)-RNA was applied to hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes for CRISPR group to explore changes in potassium ion currents and growth and development related target protein levels that affect disease phenotype. Three consistently downregulated proteins (KCNJ2, CTTN and ATP1B1) associated with pathogenicity were verificated through correlation and intersection analysis. CONCLUSION This study uncovers TFs and target proteins related to electrophysiology and developmental pathogenicity in ATS myocardial cells, obtaining novel targets for potential therapeutic candidate development that does not rely on gene editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peipei Chen
- Department of Clinical Nutrition & Health Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Junyu Long
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Tianrui Hua
- Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Zhifa Zheng
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Xiao
- Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Lianfeng Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Kang Yu
- Department of Clinical Nutrition & Health Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Wei Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Shuyang Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
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Cofiño-Fabres C, Boonen T, Rivera-Arbeláez JM, Rijpkema M, Blauw L, Rensen PCN, Schwach V, Ribeiro MC, Passier R. Micro-Engineered Heart Tissues On-Chip with Heterotypic Cell Composition Display Self-Organization and Improved Cardiac Function. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2303664. [PMID: 38471185 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202303664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Advanced in vitro models that recapitulate the structural organization and function of the human heart are highly needed for accurate disease modeling, more predictable drug screening, and safety pharmacology. Conventional 3D Engineered Heart Tissues (EHTs) lack heterotypic cell complexity and culture under flow, whereas microfluidic Heart-on-Chip (HoC) models in general lack the 3D configuration and accurate contractile readouts. In this study, an innovative and user-friendly HoC model is developed to overcome these limitations, by culturing human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes (CMs), endothelial (ECs)- and smooth muscle cells (SMCs), together with human cardiac fibroblasts (FBs), underflow, leading to self-organized miniaturized micro-EHTs (µEHTs) with a CM-EC interface reminiscent of the physiological capillary lining. µEHTs cultured under flow display enhanced contractile performance and conduction velocity. In addition, the presence of the EC layer altered drug responses in µEHT contraction. This observation suggests a potential barrier-like function of ECs, which may affect the availability of drugs to the CMs. These cardiac models with increased physiological complexity, will pave the way to screen for therapeutic targets and predict drug efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Cofiño-Fabres
- Department of Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, 7522 NB, The Netherlands
| | - Tom Boonen
- River BioMedics B.V, Enschede, 7522 NB, The Netherlands
| | - José M Rivera-Arbeláez
- Department of Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, 7522 NB, The Netherlands
- BIOS Lab-on-a-Chip Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Max Planck Institute for Complex Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, Enschede, 7522 NB, The Netherlands
| | - Minke Rijpkema
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, and Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, 2300 RC, The Netherlands
| | - Lisanne Blauw
- River BioMedics B.V, Enschede, 7522 NB, The Netherlands
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, and Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, 2300 RC, The Netherlands
| | - Patrick C N Rensen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, and Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, 2300 RC, The Netherlands
| | - Verena Schwach
- Department of Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, 7522 NB, The Netherlands
| | - Marcelo C Ribeiro
- Department of Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, 7522 NB, The Netherlands
- River BioMedics B.V, Enschede, 7522 NB, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Passier
- Department of Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, 7522 NB, The Netherlands
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, 2300 RC, The Netherlands
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Kussauer S, Dilk P, Elleisy M, Michaelis C, Lichtwark S, Rimmbach C, David R, Jung J. Heart rhythm in vitro: measuring stem cell-derived pacemaker cells on microelectrode arrays. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1200786. [PMID: 38450366 PMCID: PMC10915086 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1200786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Cardiac arrhythmias have markedly increased in recent decades, highlighting the urgent need for appropriate test systems to evaluate the efficacy and safety of new pharmaceuticals and the potential side effects of established drugs. Methods The Microelectrode Array (MEA) system may be a suitable option, as it provides both real-time and non-invasive monitoring of cellular networks of spontaneously active cells. However, there is currently no commercially available cell source to apply this technology in the context of the cardiac conduction system (CCS). In response to this problem, our group has previously developed a protocol for the generation of pure functional cardiac pacemaker cells from mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). In addition, we compared the hanging drop method, which was previously utilized, with spherical plate-derived embryoid bodies (EBs) and the pacemaker cells that are differentiated from these. Results We described the application of these pacemaker cells on the MEA platform, which required a number of crucial optimization steps in terms of coating, dissociation, and cell density. As a result, we were able to generate a monolayer of pure pacemaker cells on an MEA surface that is viable and electromechanically active for weeks. Furthermore, we introduced spherical plates as a convenient and scalable method to be applied for the production of induced sinoatrial bodies. Conclusion We provide a tool to transfer modeling and analysis of cardiac rhythm diseases to the cell culture dish. Our system allows answering CCS-related queries within a cellular network, both under baseline conditions and post-drug exposure in a reliable and affordable manner. Ultimately, our approach may provide valuable guidance not only for cardiac pacemaker cells but also for the generation of an MEA test platform using other sensitive non-proliferating cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Kussauer
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Rostock University Medical Centre, Rostock, Germany
- Department of Life, Light, & Matter, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Patrick Dilk
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Rostock University Medical Centre, Rostock, Germany
- Department of Life, Light, & Matter, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Moustafa Elleisy
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Rostock University Medical Centre, Rostock, Germany
- Department of Life, Light, & Matter, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Claudia Michaelis
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Rostock University Medical Centre, Rostock, Germany
- Department of Life, Light, & Matter, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Sarina Lichtwark
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Rostock University Medical Centre, Rostock, Germany
- Department of Life, Light, & Matter, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Christian Rimmbach
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Rostock University Medical Centre, Rostock, Germany
- Department of Life, Light, & Matter, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Robert David
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Rostock University Medical Centre, Rostock, Germany
- Department of Life, Light, & Matter, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Julia Jung
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Rostock University Medical Centre, Rostock, Germany
- Department of Life, Light, & Matter, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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Seo J, Saha S, Brown ME. The past, present, and future promise of pluripotent stem cells. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE 2024; 22-23:100077. [PMID: 38706532 PMCID: PMC11065261 DOI: 10.1016/j.regen.2024.100077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matthew E. Brown
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53792, United States
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Wang AYL, Chang YC, Chen KH, Loh CYY. Potential Application of Modified mRNA in Cardiac Regeneration. Cell Transplant 2024; 33:9636897241248956. [PMID: 38715279 PMCID: PMC11080755 DOI: 10.1177/09636897241248956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Heart failure remains the leading cause of human death worldwide. After a heart attack, the formation of scar tissue due to the massive death of cardiomyocytes leads to heart failure and sudden death in most cases. In addition, the regenerative ability of the adult heart is limited after injury, partly due to cell-cycle arrest in cardiomyocytes. In the current post-COVID-19 era, urgently authorized modified mRNA (modRNA) vaccines have been widely used to prevent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Therefore, modRNA-based protein replacement may act as an alternative strategy for improving heart disease. It is a safe, effective, transient, low-immunogenic, and integration-free strategy for in vivo protein expression, in addition to recombinant protein and stem-cell regenerative therapies. In this review, we provide a summary of various cardiac factors that have been utilized with the modRNA method to enhance cardiovascular regeneration, cardiomyocyte proliferation, fibrosis inhibition, and apoptosis inhibition. We further discuss other cardiac factors, modRNA delivery methods, and injection methods using the modRNA approach to explore their application potential in heart disease. Factors for promoting cardiomyocyte proliferation such as a cocktail of three genes comprising FoxM1, Id1, and Jnk3-shRNA (FIJs), gp130, and melatonin have potential to be applied in the modRNA approach. We also discuss the current challenges with respect to modRNA-based cardiac regenerative medicine that need to be overcome to apply this approach to heart disease. This review provides a short description for investigators interested in the development of alternative cardiac regenerative medicines using the modRNA platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Yen Ling Wang
- Center for Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Ching Chang
- Department of Health Industry Technology Management, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Hung Chen
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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Liu S, Fang C, Zhong C, Li J, Xiao Q. Recent advances in pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac organoids and heart-on-chip applications for studying anti-cancer drug-induced cardiotoxicity. Cell Biol Toxicol 2023; 39:2527-2549. [PMID: 37889357 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-023-09835-4] [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: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) caused by anti-cancer drug-induced cardiotoxicity is now the second leading cause of mortality among cancer survivors. It is necessary to establish efficient in vitro models for early predicting the potential cardiotoxicity of anti-cancer drugs, as well as for screening drugs that would alleviate cardiotoxicity during and post treatment. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have opened up new avenues in cardio-oncology. With the breakthrough of tissue engineering technology, a variety of hiPSC-derived cardiac microtissues or organoids have been recently reported, which have shown enormous potential in studying cardiotoxicity. Moreover, using hiPSC-derived heart-on-chip for studying cardiotoxicity has provided novel insights into the underlying mechanisms. Herein, we summarize different types of anti-cancer drug-induced cardiotoxicities and present an extensive overview on the applications of hiPSC-derived cardiac microtissues, cardiac organoids, and heart-on-chips in cardiotoxicity. Finally, we highlight clinical and translational challenges around hiPSC-derived cardiac microtissues/organoids/heart-on chips and their applications in anti-cancer drug-induced cardiotoxicity. • Anti-cancer drug-induced cardiotoxicities represent pressing challenges for cancer treatments, and cardiovascular disease is the second leading cause of mortality among cancer survivors. • Newly reported in vitro models such as hiPSC-derived cardiac microtissues/organoids/chips show enormous potential for studying cardio-oncology. • Emerging evidence supports that hiPSC-derived cardiac organoids and heart-on-chip are promising in vitro platforms for predicting and minimizing anti-cancer drug-induced cardiotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silin Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
- Centre for Clinical Pharmacology and Precision Medicine, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Heart Centre, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
- Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Academy of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Chongkai Fang
- Centre for Clinical Pharmacology and Precision Medicine, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Heart Centre, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Chong Zhong
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
- Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Academy of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Jing Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Academy of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China.
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
| | - Qingzhong Xiao
- Centre for Clinical Pharmacology and Precision Medicine, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Heart Centre, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China.
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Wang F, Yin L, Zhang W, Tang Y, Wang X, Huang C. The method of sinus node-like pacemaker cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells by BMP and Wnt signaling. Cell Biol Toxicol 2023; 39:2725-2741. [PMID: 36856942 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-023-09797-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
The embryonic development of sinus nodes (SAN) is co-regulated by multiple signaling pathways. Among these, the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and Wnt signaling pathways are involved in the development of SAN. In this study, the effects of BMP and Wnt signaling on the differentiation of SAN-like pacemaker cells (SANLPCs) were investigated. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) were divided into four groups: control, BMP4, CHIR-3, and BMP4 + CHIR (CHIR: a Wnt signaling activator). The samples were tested at day (D) 15 of differentiation. The final protocol for the activation of BMP signaling at D0-D3 and reactivation of Wnt signaling at D5-D7 in the differentiation of hiPSCs were determined. The results showed that the mRNA levels of pacemaker markers (TBX18, SHOX2, TBX3, HCN4, and HCN1) were higher in the BMP4 + CHIR group than in the control group, and working myocardial genes were downregulated. The immunofluorescence assay revealed that the expression of SHOX2 and HCN4 increased in the BMP4 + CHIR group compared to that in the other groups. In addition, the results of patch clamps revealed that a funny current of higher density and typical SAN action potentials were recorded, except in the control group, in which the L-type calcium current was higher in the BMP4 + CHIR group than in the other groups. Finally, the proportion of SANLPCs (cTnT+ NKX2.5-) was further enhanced by the combination of BMP4 and CHIR treatment. In summary, the combination of BMP and Wnt signaling promotes the differentiation of SANLPCs from hiPSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyuan Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Yin
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanhong Tang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Congxin Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China.
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Bachamanda Somesh D, Klose K, Maring JA, Kunkel D, Jürchott K, Protze SI, Klein O, Nebrich G, Becker M, Krüger U, Nazari-Shafti TZ, Falk V, Kurtz A, Gossen M, Stamm C. Cardiomyocyte precursors generated by direct reprogramming and molecular beacon selection attenuate ventricular remodeling after experimental myocardial infarction. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:296. [PMID: 37840130 PMCID: PMC10577947 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03519-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Direct cardiac reprogramming is currently being investigated for the generation of cells with a true cardiomyocyte (CM) phenotype. Based on the original approach of cardiac transcription factor-induced reprogramming of fibroblasts into CM-like cells, various modifications of that strategy have been developed. However, they uniformly suffer from poor reprogramming efficacy and a lack of translational tools for target cell expansion and purification. Therefore, our group has developed a unique approach to generate proliferative cells with a pre-CM phenotype that can be expanded in vitro to yield substantial cell doses. METHODS Cardiac fibroblasts were reprogrammed toward CM fate using lentiviral transduction of cardiac transcriptions factors (GATA4, MEF2C, TBX5, and MYOCD). The resulting cellular phenotype was analyzed by RNA sequencing and immunocytology. Live target cells were purified based on intracellular CM marker expression using molecular beacon technology and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. CM commitment was assessed using 5-azacytidine-based differentiation assays and the therapeutic effect was evaluated in a mouse model of acute myocardial infarction using echocardiography and histology. The cellular secretome was analyzed using mass spectrometry. RESULTS We found that proliferative CM precursor-like cells were part of the phenotype spectrum arising during direct reprogramming of fibroblasts toward CMs. These induced CM precursors (iCMPs) expressed CPC- and CM-specific proteins and were selectable via hairpin-shaped oligonucleotide hybridization probes targeting Myh6/7-mRNA-expressing cells. After purification, iCMPs were capable of extensive expansion, with preserved phenotype when under ascorbic acid supplementation, and gave rise to CM-like cells with organized sarcomeres in differentiation assays. When transplanted into infarcted mouse hearts, iCMPs prevented CM loss, attenuated fibrotic scarring, and preserved ventricular function, which can in part be attributed to their substantial secretion of factors with documented beneficial effect on cardiac repair. CONCLUSIONS Fibroblast reprogramming combined with molecular beacon-based cell selection yields an iCMP-like cell population with cardioprotective potential. Further studies are needed to elucidate mechanism-of-action and translational potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipthi Bachamanda Somesh
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
- Berlin-Brandenburg School for Regenerative Therapies, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Kristin Klose
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
- Berlin-Brandenburg School for Regenerative Therapies, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Janita A Maring
- Institute of Active Polymers, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, 14513, Teltow, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité - Medical Heart Center of Charité and German Heart Institute Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Désirée Kunkel
- Cytometry Core Facility, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karsten Jürchott
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute for Medical Immunology, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephanie I Protze
- University Health Network, McEwen Stem Cell Institute, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Oliver Klein
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- BIH Imaging Mass Spectrometry Core Unit, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Grit Nebrich
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- BIH Imaging Mass Spectrometry Core Unit, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Becker
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg School for Regenerative Therapies, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrike Krüger
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute for Medical Immunology, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Timo Z Nazari-Shafti
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité - Medical Heart Center of Charité and German Heart Institute Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Berlin, 10785, Berlin, Germany
| | - Volkmar Falk
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité - Medical Heart Center of Charité and German Heart Institute Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Berlin, 10785, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Kurtz
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Manfred Gossen
- Institute of Active Polymers, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, 14513, Teltow, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christof Stamm
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
- Institute of Active Polymers, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, 14513, Teltow, Germany.
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité - Medical Heart Center of Charité and German Heart Institute Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Berlin, 10785, Berlin, Germany.
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9
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Yang H, Yang Y, Kiskin FN, Shen M, Zhang JZ. Recent advances in regulating the proliferation or maturation of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:228. [PMID: 37649113 PMCID: PMC10469435 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03470-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte (hiPSC-CM)-based cell therapy has drawn broad attention as a potential therapy for treating injured hearts. However, mass production of hiPSC-CMs remains challenging, limiting their translational potential in regenerative medicine. Therefore, multiple strategies including cell cycle regulators, small molecules, co-culture systems, and epigenetic modifiers have been used to improve the proliferation of hiPSC-CMs. On the other hand, the immaturity of these proliferative hiPSC-CMs could lead to lethal arrhythmias due to their limited ability to functionally couple with resident cardiomyocytes. To achieve functional maturity, numerous methods such as prolonged culture, biochemical or biophysical stimulation, in vivo transplantation, and 3D culture approaches have been employed. In this review, we summarize recent approaches used to promote hiPSC-CM proliferation, and thoroughly review recent advances in promoting hiPSC-CM maturation, which will serve as the foundation for large-scale production of mature hiPSC-CMs for future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yang
- Institute of Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China
| | - Yuan Yang
- Institute of Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China
| | - Fedir N Kiskin
- Institute of Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China
| | - Mengcheng Shen
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Joe Z Zhang
- Institute of Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China.
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10
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Maas RGC, van den Dolder FW, Yuan Q, van der Velden J, Wu SM, Sluijter JPG, Buikema JW. Harnessing developmental cues for cardiomyocyte production. Development 2023; 150:dev201483. [PMID: 37560977 PMCID: PMC10445742 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201483] [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] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Developmental research has attempted to untangle the exact signals that control heart growth and size, with knockout studies in mice identifying pivotal roles for Wnt and Hippo signaling during embryonic and fetal heart growth. Despite this improved understanding, no clinically relevant therapies are yet available to compensate for the loss of functional adult myocardium and the absence of mature cardiomyocyte renewal that underlies cardiomyopathies of multiple origins. It remains of great interest to understand which mechanisms are responsible for the decline in proliferation in adult hearts and to elucidate new strategies for the stimulation of cardiac regeneration. Multiple signaling pathways have been identified that regulate the proliferation of cardiomyocytes in the embryonic heart and appear to be upregulated in postnatal injured hearts. In this Review, we highlight the interaction of signaling pathways in heart development and discuss how this knowledge has been translated into current technologies for cardiomyocyte production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renee G. C. Maas
- Utrecht Regenerative Medicine Center, Circulatory Health Laboratory, University Utrecht, Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3508 GA Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Floor W. van den Dolder
- Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Department of Physiology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Qianliang Yuan
- Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Department of Physiology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jolanda van der Velden
- Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Department of Physiology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sean M. Wu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine,Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Joost P. G. Sluijter
- Utrecht Regenerative Medicine Center, Circulatory Health Laboratory, University Utrecht, Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3508 GA Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jan W. Buikema
- Utrecht Regenerative Medicine Center, Circulatory Health Laboratory, University Utrecht, Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3508 GA Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Department of Physiology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam Heart Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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11
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Pang KT, Loo LSW, Chia S, Ong FYT, Yu H, Walsh I. Insight into muscle stem cell regeneration and mechanobiology. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:129. [PMID: 37173707 PMCID: PMC10176686 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03363-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cells possess the unique ability to differentiate into specialized cell types. These specialized cell types can be used for regenerative medicine purposes such as cell therapy. Myosatellite cells, also known as skeletal muscle stem cells (MuSCs), play important roles in the growth, repair, and regeneration of skeletal muscle tissues. However, despite its therapeutic potential, the successful differentiation, proliferation, and expansion processes of MuSCs remain a significant challenge due to a variety of factors. For example, the growth and differentiation of MuSCs can be greatly influenced by actively replicating the MuSCs microenvironment (known as the niche) using mechanical forces. However, the molecular role of mechanobiology in MuSC growth, proliferation, and differentiation for regenerative medicine is still poorly understood. In this present review, we comprehensively summarize, compare, and critically analyze how different mechanical cues shape stem cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, and their potential role in disease development (Fig. 1). The insights developed from the mechanobiology of stem cells will also contribute to how these applications can be used for regenerative purposes using MuSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuin Tian Pang
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore.
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technology University, 62 Nanyang Drive, N1.2-B3, Singapore, 637459, Singapore.
| | - Larry Sai Weng Loo
- Institute of Bioengineering and Bioimaging, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sean Chia
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Francesca Yi Teng Ong
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hanry Yu
- Institute of Bioengineering and Bioimaging, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- CAMP, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore, Singapore
- Interdisplinary Science and Engineering Program, NUS Graduate School, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ian Walsh
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore.
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12
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Cai D, Zheng Z, Jin X, Fu Y, Cen L, Ye J, Song Y, Lian J. The Advantages, Challenges, and Future of Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines in Type 2 Long QT Syndrome. J Cardiovasc Transl Res 2023; 16:209-220. [PMID: 35976484 DOI: 10.1007/s12265-022-10298-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Type 2 long QT syndrome (LQT2) is the second most common subtype of long QT syndrome and is caused by mutations in KCHN2 encoding the rapidly activating delayed rectifier potassium channel vital for ventricular repolarization. Sudden cardiac death is a sentinel event of LQT2. Preclinical diagnosis by genetic testing is potentially life-saving.Traditional LQT2 models cannot wholly recapitulate genetic and phenotypic features; therefore, there is a demand for a reliable experimental model. Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) meet this challenge. This review introduces the advantages of the hiPSC-CM model over the traditional model and discusses how hiPSC-CM and gene editing are used to decipher mechanisms of LQT2, screen for cardiotoxicity, and identify therapeutic strategies, thus promoting the realization of precision medicine for LQT2 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dihui Cai
- Department of Cardiovascular, Lihuili Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, China
| | - Zequn Zheng
- Department of Cardiovascular, Lihuili Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, China
- Department of Cardiovascular, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Xiaojun Jin
- Department of Cardiovascular, Lihuili Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, China
| | - Yin Fu
- Department of Cardiovascular, Lihuili Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, China
| | - Lichao Cen
- Department of Cardiovascular, Lihuili Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, China
| | - Jiachun Ye
- Department of Cardiovascular, Lihuili Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, China
| | - Yongfei Song
- Department of Cardiovascular, Ningbo Institute of Innovation for Combined Medicine and Engineering, Ningbo, China
| | - Jiangfang Lian
- Department of Cardiovascular, Lihuili Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, China.
- Department of Cardiovascular, Ningbo Institute of Innovation for Combined Medicine and Engineering, Ningbo, China.
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13
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Iachetta G, Melle G, Colistra N, Tantussi F, De Angelis F, Dipalo M. Long-term in vitro recording of cardiac action potentials on microelectrode arrays for chronic cardiotoxicity assessment. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:509-522. [PMID: 36607357 PMCID: PMC9859891 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-022-03422-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The reliable identification of chronic cardiotoxic effects in in vitro screenings is fundamental for filtering out toxic molecular entities before in vivo animal experimentation and clinical trials. Present techniques such as patch-clamp, voltage indicators, and standard microelectrode arrays do not offer at the same time high sensitivity for measuring transmembrane ion currents and low-invasiveness for monitoring cells over long time. Here, we show that optoporation applied to microelectrode arrays enables measuring action potentials from human-derived cardiac syncytia for more than 1 continuous month and provides reliable data on chronic cardiotoxic effects caused by known compounds such as pentamidine. The technique has high potential for detecting chronic cardiotoxicity in the early phases of drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Michele Dipalo
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genova, Italy.
- FORESEE Biosystems Srl, Genova, Italy.
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14
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Xeno-Free Integrated Platform for Robust Production of Cardiomyocyte Sheets from hiPSCs. Stem Cells Int 2022; 2022:4542719. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/4542719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can be efficiently differentiated into cardiomyocytes (CMs), which can be used for cardiac disease modeling, for drug screening, and to regenerate damaged myocardium. Implementation of xeno-free culture systems is essential to fully explore the potential of these cells. However, differentiation using xeno-free adhesion matrices often results in low CM yields and lack of functional CM sheets, capable of enduring additional maturation stages. Here, we established a xeno-free CM differentiation platform using TeSR/Synthemax, including a replating step and integrated with two versatile purification/enrichment metabolic approaches. Results showed that the replating step was essential to reestablish a fully integrated, closely-knit CM sheet. In addition, replating contributed to increase the cTnT expression from 65% to 75% and the output from 2.2 to 3.1 CM per hiPSC, comparable with the efficiency observed when using TeSR/Matrigel. In addition, supplementation with PluriSin1 and Glu-Lac+ medium allowed increasing the CM content over 80% without compromising CM sheet integrity or functionality. Thus, this xeno-free differentiation platform is a reliable and robust method to produce hiPSC-derived CMs, increasing the possibility of using these cells safely for a wide range of applications.
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15
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Wiesinger A, Li J, Fokkert L, Bakker P, Verkerk AO, Christoffels VM, Boink GJJ, Devalla HD. A single cell transcriptional roadmap of human pacemaker cell differentiation. eLife 2022; 11:76781. [PMID: 36217819 PMCID: PMC9553210 DOI: 10.7554/elife.76781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Each heartbeat is triggered by the sinoatrial node (SAN), the primary pacemaker of the heart. Studies in animal models have revealed that pacemaker cells share a common progenitor with the (pro)epicardium, and that the pacemaker cardiomyocytes further diversify into ‘transitional’, ‘tail’, and ‘head’ subtypes. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms, especially of human pacemaker cell development, are poorly understood. Here, we performed single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and trajectory inference on human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) differentiating to SAN-like cardiomyocytes (SANCMs) to construct a roadmap of transcriptional changes and lineage decisions. In differentiated SANCM, we identified distinct clusters that closely resemble different subpopulations of the in vivo SAN. Moreover, the presence of a side population of proepicardial cells suggested their shared ontogeny with SANCM, as also reported in vivo. Our results demonstrate that the divergence of SANCM and proepicardial lineages is determined by WNT signaling. Furthermore, we uncovered roles for TGFβ and WNT signaling in the branching of transitional and head SANCM subtypes, respectively. These findings provide new insights into the molecular processes involved in human pacemaker cell differentiation, opening new avenues for complex disease modeling in vitro and inform approaches for cell therapy-based regeneration of the SAN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Wiesinger
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jiuru Li
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Lianne Fokkert
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Priscilla Bakker
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Arie O Verkerk
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Vincent M Christoffels
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Gerard J J Boink
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Harsha D Devalla
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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16
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Schade D, Drowley L, Wang QD, Plowright AT, Greber B. Phenotypic screen identifies FOXO inhibitor to counteract maturation and promote expansion of human iPS cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 65:116782. [PMID: 35512484 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.116782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Achieving pharmacological control over cardiomyocyte proliferation represents a prime goal in therapeutic cardiovascular research. Here, we identify a novel chemical tool compound for the expansion of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes. The forkhead box O (FOXO) inhibitor AS1842856 was identified as a significant hit from an unbiased proliferation screen in early, immature hiPSC- cardiomyocytes (eCMs). The mitogenic effects of AS1842856 turned out to be robust, dose-dependent, sustained, and reversible. eCM numbers increased >30-fold as induced by AS1842856 over three passages. Phenotypically as well as by marker gene expression, the compound interestingly appeared to counteract cellular maturation both in immature hiPSC-CMs as well as in more advanced ones. Thus, FOXO inhibitor AS1842856 presents a novel proliferation inducer for the chemically defined, xeno-free expansion of hiPSC-derived CMs, while its de-differentiation effect might as well bear potential in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Schade
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Gutenbergstrasse 76, 24118 Kiel, Germany; Partner Site Kiel, DZHK, German Center for Cardiovascular Research, 24105 Kiel, Germany; Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Technical University Dortmund, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Lauren Drowley
- Bioscience Cardiovascular, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Qing-Dong Wang
- Bioscience Cardiovascular, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Alleyn T Plowright
- Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Boris Greber
- Human Stem Cell Pluripotency Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, 48149 Münster, Germany; Chemical Genomics Centre of the Max Planck Society, 44227 Dortmund, Germany.
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17
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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.
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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.)
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18
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Wang J, Gu S, Liu F, Chen Z, Xu H, Liu Z, Cheng W, Wu L, Xu T, Chen Z, Chen D, Chen X, Zeng F, Zhao Z, Zhang M, Cao N. Reprogramming of fibroblasts into expandable cardiovascular progenitor cells via small molecules in xeno-free conditions. Nat Biomed Eng 2022; 6:403-420. [PMID: 35361933 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-022-00865-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
A major hurdle in cardiac cell therapy is the lack of a bona fide autologous stem-cell type that can be expanded long-term and has authentic cardiovascular differentiation potential. Here we report that a proliferative cell population with robust cardiovascular differentiation potential can be generated from mouse or human fibroblasts via a combination of six small molecules. These chemically induced cardiovascular progenitor cells (ciCPCs) self-renew long-term in fully chemically defined and xeno-free conditions, with faithful preservation of the CPC phenotype and of cardiovascular differentiation capacity in vitro and in vivo. Transplantation of ciCPCs into infarcted mouse hearts improved animal survival and cardiac function up to 13 weeks post-infarction. Mechanistically, activated fibroblasts revert to a plastic state permissive to cardiogenic signals, enabling their reprogramming into ciCPCs. Expanded autologous cardiovascular cells may find uses in drug discovery, disease modelling and cardiac cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangdong, China
| | - Shanshan Gu
- Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangdong, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangdong, China
| | - Zihao Chen
- Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangdong, China
| | - He Xu
- Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhun Liu
- Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangdong, China
| | - Weisheng Cheng
- Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangdong, China
| | - Linwei Wu
- Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangdong, China
| | - Tao Xu
- Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhongyan Chen
- Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangdong, China
| | - Ding Chen
- Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangdong, China
| | - Xuena Chen
- Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangdong, China
| | - Fanzhu Zeng
- Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhiju Zhao
- Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangdong, China
| | - Mingliang Zhang
- Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Nan Cao
- Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, China. .,Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangdong, China.
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19
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Ghazizadeh Z, Zhu J, Fattahi F, Tang A, Sun X, Amin S, Tsai SY, Khalaj M, Zhou T, Samuel RM, Zhang T, Ortega FA, Gordillo M, Moroziewicz D, Paull D, Noggle SA, Xiang JZ, Studer L, Christini DJ, Pitt GS, Evans T, Chen S. A dual SHOX2:GFP; MYH6:mCherry knockin hESC reporter line for derivation of human SAN-like cells. iScience 2022; 25:104153. [PMID: 35434558 PMCID: PMC9010642 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The sinoatrial node (SAN) is the primary pacemaker of the heart. The human SAN is poorly understood due to limited primary tissue access and limitations in robust in vitro derivation methods. We developed a dual SHOX2:GFP; MYH6:mCherry knockin human embryonic stem cell (hESC) reporter line, which allows the identification and purification of SAN-like cells. Using this line, we performed several rounds of chemical screens and developed an efficient strategy to generate and purify hESC-derived SAN-like cells (hESC-SAN). The derived hESC-SAN cells display molecular and electrophysiological characteristics of bona fide nodal cells, which allowed exploration of their transcriptional profile at single-cell level. In sum, our dual reporter system facilitated an effective strategy for deriving human SAN-like cells, which can potentially be used for future disease modeling and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaniar Ghazizadeh
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA,Corresponding author
| | - Jiajun Zhu
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Faranak Fattahi
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA,Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA,Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Alice Tang
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Xiaolu Sun
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Sadaf Amin
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Su-Yi Tsai
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Mona Khalaj
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ting Zhou
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ryan M. Samuel
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA,Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Tuo Zhang
- Genomic Resource Core Facility, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Francis A. Ortega
- Physiology, Biophysics, and Systems Biology Graduate Program, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA,Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Miriam Gordillo
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Dorota Moroziewicz
- The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, 619 West 54th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10019, USA
| | | | - Daniel Paull
- The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, 619 West 54th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10019, USA
| | - Scott A. Noggle
- The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, 619 West 54th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10019, USA
| | - Jenny Zhaoying Xiang
- Genomic Resource Core Facility, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lorenz Studer
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - David J. Christini
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Geoffrey S. Pitt
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Todd Evans
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA,Corresponding author
| | - Shuibing Chen
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA,Corresponding author
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20
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Wesseler F, Riege D, Puthanveedu M, Halver J, Müller E, Bertrand J, Antonchick AP, Sievers S, Waldmann H, Schade D. Probing Embryonic Development Enables the Discovery of Unique Small-Molecule Bone Morphogenetic Protein Potentiators. J Med Chem 2022; 65:3978-3990. [PMID: 35108017 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We report on the feasibility to harness embryonic development in vitro for the identification of small-molecule cytokine mimetics and signaling activators. Here, a phenotypic, target-agnostic, high-throughput assay is presented that probes bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling during mesodermal patterning of embryonic stem cells. The temporal discrimination of BMP- and transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ)-driven stages of cardiomyogenesis underpins a selective, authentic orchestration of BMP cues that can be recapitulated for the discovery of BMP activator chemotypes. Proof of concept is shown from a chemical screen of 7000 compounds, provides a robust hit validation workflow, and afforded 2,3-disubstituted 4H-chromen-4-ones as potent BMP potentiators with osteogenic efficacy. Mechanistic studies suggest that Chromenone 1 enhances canonical BMP outputs at the expense of TGFβ-Smads in an unprecedented manner. Pharmacophoric features were defined, providing a set of novel chemical probes for various applications in (stem) cell biology, regenerative medicine, and basic research on the BMP pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Wesseler
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Technical University Dortmund, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227 Dortmund, Germany.,Compound Management and Screening Center, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany.,Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Gutenbergstrasse 76, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Daniel Riege
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Gutenbergstrasse 76, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Mahesh Puthanveedu
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Technical University Dortmund, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227 Dortmund, Germany.,Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Jonas Halver
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Technical University Dortmund, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Eva Müller
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Jessica Bertrand
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Andrey P Antonchick
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Technical University Dortmund, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227 Dortmund, Germany.,Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany.,Department of Chemistry and Forensics, College of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, NG11 8NS Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sonja Sievers
- Compound Management and Screening Center, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany.,Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Herbert Waldmann
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Technical University Dortmund, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227 Dortmund, Germany.,Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Dennis Schade
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Gutenbergstrasse 76, 24118 Kiel, Germany.,Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany.,Partner Site Kiel, DZHK, German Center for Cardiovascular Research, 24105 Kiel, Germany
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21
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López-Muneta L, Linares J, Casis O, Martínez-Ibáñez L, González Miqueo A, Bezunartea J, Sanchez de la Nava AM, Gallego M, Fernández-Santos ME, Rodriguez-Madoz JR, Aranguren XL, Fernández-Avilés F, Segovia JC, Prósper F, Carvajal-Vergara X. Generation of NKX2.5GFP Reporter Human iPSCs and Differentiation Into Functional Cardiac Fibroblasts. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:797927. [PMID: 35127713 PMCID: PMC8815860 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.797927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct cardiac reprogramming has emerged as an interesting approach for the treatment and regeneration of damaged hearts through the direct conversion of fibroblasts into cardiomyocytes or cardiovascular progenitors. However, in studies with human cells, the lack of reporter fibroblasts has hindered the screening of factors and consequently, the development of robust direct cardiac reprogramming protocols.In this study, we have generated functional human NKX2.5GFP reporter cardiac fibroblasts. We first established a new NKX2.5GFP reporter human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) line using a CRISPR-Cas9-based knock-in approach in order to preserve function which could alter the biology of the cells. The reporter was found to faithfully track NKX2.5 expressing cells in differentiated NKX2.5GFP hiPSC and the potential of NKX2.5-GFP + cells to give rise to the expected cardiac lineages, including functional ventricular- and atrial-like cardiomyocytes, was demonstrated. Then NKX2.5GFP cardiac fibroblasts were obtained through directed differentiation, and these showed typical fibroblast-like morphology, a specific marker expression profile and, more importantly, functionality similar to patient-derived cardiac fibroblasts. The advantage of using this approach is that it offers an unlimited supply of cellular models for research in cardiac reprogramming, and since NKX2.5 is expressed not only in cardiomyocytes but also in cardiovascular precursors, the detection of both induced cell types would be possible. These reporter lines will be useful tools for human direct cardiac reprogramming research and progress in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyre López-Muneta
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Foundation for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Javier Linares
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Foundation for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Oscar Casis
- Departament of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Laura Martínez-Ibáñez
- Program of Cardiovascular Diseases, Foundation for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Arantxa González Miqueo
- Program of Cardiovascular Diseases, Foundation for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cardiovascular (CIBERCV), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jaione Bezunartea
- Retinal Pathologies and New Therapies Group, Experimental Ophthalmology Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Navarra Clinic, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ana Maria Sanchez de la Nava
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IISGM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomedica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mónica Gallego
- Departament of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - María Eugenia Fernández-Santos
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IISGM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomedica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Roberto Rodriguez-Madoz
- Hemato-oncology Program, CIMA Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Xabier L. Aranguren
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Foundation for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Francisco Fernández-Avilés
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IISGM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomedica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Carlos Segovia
- Cell Technology Division, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
- Unidad Mixta de Terapias Avanzadas, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Felipe Prósper
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, University of Navarra Clinic, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Xonia Carvajal-Vergara
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Foundation for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- *Correspondence: Xonia Carvajal-Vergara,
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22
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Jiang L, Liang J, Huang W, Ma J, Park KH, Wu Z, Chen P, Zhu H, Ma JJ, Cai W, Paul C, Niu L, Fan GC, Wang HS, Kanisicak O, Xu M, Wang Y. CRISPR activation of endogenous genes reprograms fibroblasts into cardiovascular progenitor cells for myocardial infarction therapy. Mol Ther 2022; 30:54-74. [PMID: 34678511 PMCID: PMC8753567 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts can be reprogrammed into cardiovascular progenitor cells (CPCs) using transgenic approaches, although the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We determined whether activation of endogenous genes such as Gata4, Nkx2.5, and Tbx5 can rapidly establish autoregulatory loops and initiate CPC generation in adult extracardiac fibroblasts using a CRISPR activation system. The induced fibroblasts (>80%) showed phenotypic changes as indicated by an Nkx2.5 cardiac enhancer reporter. The progenitor characteristics were confirmed by colony formation and expression of cardiovascular genes. Cardiac sphere induction segregated the early and late reprogrammed cells that can generate functional cardiomyocytes and vascular cells in vitro. Therefore, they were termed CRISPR-induced CPCs (ciCPCs). Transcriptomic analysis showed that cell cycle and heart development pathways were important to accelerate CPC formation during the early reprogramming stage. The CRISPR system opened the silenced chromatin locus, thereby allowing transcriptional factors to access their own promoters and eventually forming a positive feedback loop. The regenerative potential of ciCPCs was assessed after implantation in mouse myocardial infarction models. The engrafted ciCPCs differentiated into cardiovascular cells in vivo but also significantly improved contractile function and scar formation. In conclusion, multiplex gene activation was sufficient to drive CPC reprogramming, providing a new cell source for regenerative therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Jiang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Jialiang Liang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Jianyong Ma
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Ki Ho Park
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Zhichao Wu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Peng Chen
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Hua Zhu
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jian-Jie Ma
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Wenfeng Cai
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Christian Paul
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Liang Niu
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Guo-Chang Fan
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Hong-Sheng Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Onur Kanisicak
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Meifeng Xu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Yigang Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
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23
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Lee CS, Kim J, Cho HJ, Kim HS. Cardiovascular Regeneration via Stem Cells and Direct Reprogramming: A Review. Korean Circ J 2022; 52:341-353. [PMID: 35502566 PMCID: PMC9064703 DOI: 10.4070/kcj.2022.0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite recent advancements in treatment strategies, cardiovascular disease such as heart failure remains a significant source of global mortality. Stem cell technology and cellular reprogramming are rapidly growing fields that will continue to prove useful in cardiac regenerative therapeutics. This review provides information on the role of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in cardiac regeneration and discusses the practical applications of hPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (CMCs). Moreover, we discuss the practical applications of hPSC-derived CMCs while outlining the relevance of directly-reprogrammed CMCs in regenerative medicine. This review critically summarizes the most recent advances in the field will help to guide future research in this developing area. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading causes of morbidity and death globally. In particular, a heart failure remains a major problem that contributes to global mortality. Considerable advancements have been made in conventional pharmacological therapies and coronary intervention surgery for cardiac disorder treatment. However, more than 15% of patients continuously progress to end-stage heart failure and eventually require heart transplantation. Over the past year, numerous numbers of protocols to generate cardiomyocytes (CMCs) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have been developed and applied in clinical settings. Number of studies have described the therapeutic effects of hPSCs in animal models and revealed the underlying repair mechanisms of cardiac regeneration. In addition, biomedical engineering technologies have improved the therapeutic potential of hPSC-derived CMCs in vivo. Recently substantial progress has been made in driving the direct differentiation of somatic cells into mature CMCs, wherein an intermediate cellular reprogramming stage can be bypassed. This review provides information on the role of hPSCs in cardiac regeneration and discusses the practical applications of hPSC-derived CMCs; furthermore, it outlines the relevance of directly reprogrammed CMCs in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choon-Soo Lee
- Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Strategic Center of Cell & Bio Therapy, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joonoh Kim
- Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Strategic Center of Cell & Bio Therapy, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun-Jai Cho
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyo-Soo Kim
- Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Strategic Center of Cell & Bio Therapy, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, and College of Medicine or College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
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24
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Miwa T, Idiris A, Kumagai H. High-throughput 3D Spheroid Formation and Effective Cardiomyocyte Differentiation from Human iPS Cells Using the Microfabric Vessels EZSPHERE TM. Bio Protoc 2021; 11:e4203. [PMID: 34859118 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
High-throughput 3D spheroid formation from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can be easily performed using the unique microfabric vessels EZSPHERE, resulting in effective and large scale generation of differentiated cells such as cardiomyocytes or neurons. Such hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) or neurons are very useful in the fields of regenerative medicine or cell-based drug safety tests. Previous studies indicated that 3D spheroids arising from hiPSCs are effectively differentiated into high quality hiPSC-CMs by controlling Wnt signals through utilization of the microfabric vessels EZSPHERE. Here, we describe a simple and highly efficient protocol for generating a large number of uniformly sized hiPSC spheroids and inducing them for cardiac differentiation using the EZSPHERE. This method comprises the collection and dissociation of the spheroids from cardiac differentiation medium, in the middle stage of the whole cardiac differentiation process, and re-seeding the obtained single cells into the EZSPHERE to re-aggregate them into uniform hiPSC-CM spheroids with controlled size. This re-aggregation process promotes non-canonical Wnt signal-related cardiac development and improves the purity and maturity of the hiPSC-CMs generated. Graphic abstract: Overview of cardiac differentiation from iPSCs by spheroid formation and reaggregation using EZSPHERE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuaki Miwa
- Consumer Production Division, AGC Techno Glass Co., Ltd., Haibara-gun, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Alimjan Idiris
- Material Integration Laboratories, Technology General Division, AGC Inc., Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, Japan
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25
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Abstract
It has been nearly 15 years since the discovery of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). During this time, differentiation methods to targeted cells have dramatically improved, and many types of cells in the human body can be currently generated at high efficiency. In the cardiovascular field, the ability to generate human cardiomyocytes in vitro with the same genetic background as patients has provided a great opportunity to investigate human cardiovascular diseases at the cellular level to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying the diseases and discover potential therapeutics. Additionally, iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes have provided a powerful platform to study drug-induced cardiotoxicity and identify patients at high risk for the cardiotoxicity; thus, accelerating personalized precision medicine. Moreover, iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes can be sources for cardiac cell therapy. Here, we review these achievements and discuss potential improvements for the future application of iPSC technology in cardiovascular diseases.
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26
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Rowton M, Guzzetta A, Rydeen AB, Moskowitz IP. Control of cardiomyocyte differentiation timing by intercellular signaling pathways. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 118:94-106. [PMID: 34144893 PMCID: PMC8968240 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), malformations of the heart present at birth, is the most common class of life-threatening birth defect (Hoffman (1995) [1], Gelb (2004) [2], Gelb (2014) [3]). A major research challenge is to elucidate the genetic determinants of CHD and mechanistically link CHD ontogeny to a molecular understanding of heart development. Although the embryonic origins of CHD are unclear in most cases, dysregulation of cardiovascular lineage specification, patterning, proliferation, migration or differentiation have been described (Olson (2004) [4], Olson (2006) [5], Srivastava (2006) [6], Dunwoodie (2007) [7], Bruneau (2008) [8]). Cardiac differentiation is the process whereby cells become progressively more dedicated in a trajectory through the cardiac lineage towards mature cardiomyocytes. Defects in cardiac differentiation have been linked to CHD, although how the complex control of cardiac differentiation prevents CHD is just beginning to be understood. The stages of cardiac differentiation are highly stereotyped and have been well-characterized (Kattman et al. (2011) [9], Wamstad et al. (2012) [10], Luna-Zurita et al. (2016) [11], Loh et al. (2016) [12], DeLaughter et al. (2016) [13]); however, the developmental and molecular mechanisms that promote or delay the transition of a cell through these stages have not been as deeply investigated. Tight temporal control of progenitor differentiation is critically important for normal organ size, spatial organization, and cellular physiology and homeostasis of all organ systems (Raff et al. (1985) [14], Amthor et al. (1998) [15], Kopan et al. (2014) [16]). This review will focus on the action of signaling pathways in the control of cardiomyocyte differentiation timing. Numerous signaling pathways, including the Wnt, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Hedgehog, Bone Morphogenetic Protein, Insulin-like Growth Factor, Thyroid Hormone and Hippo pathways, have all been implicated in promoting or inhibiting transitions along the cardiac differentiation trajectory. Gaining a deeper understanding of the mechanisms controlling cardiac differentiation timing promises to yield insights into the etiology of CHD and to inform approaches to restore function to damaged hearts.
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27
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Gao R, Ren J. Zebrafish Models in Therapeutic Research of Cardiac Conduction Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:731402. [PMID: 34422842 PMCID: PMC8371477 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.731402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Malfunction in the cardiac conduction system (CCS) due to congenital anomalies or diseases can cause cardiac conduction disease (CCD), which results in disturbances in cardiac rhythm, leading to syncope and even sudden cardiac death. Insights into development of the CCS components, including pacemaker cardiomyocytes (CMs), atrioventricular node (AVN) and the ventricular conduction system (VCS), can shed light on the pathological and molecular mechanisms underlying CCD, provide approaches for generating human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived CCS cells, and thus improve therapeutic treatment for such a potentially life-threatening disorder of the heart. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling CCS development remain elusive. The zebrafish has become a valuable vertebrate model to investigate early development of CCS components because of its unique features such as external fertilization, embryonic optical transparency and the ability to survive even with severe cardiovascular defects during development. In this review, we highlight how the zebrafish has been utilized to dissect the cellular and molecular mechanisms of CCS development, and how the evolutionarily conserved developmental mechanisms discovered in zebrafish could be applied to directing the creation of hPSC-derived CCS cells, therefore providing potential therapeutic strategies that may contribute to better treatment for CCD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Gao
- Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jie Ren
- Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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28
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Naumova N, Iop L. Bioengineering the Cardiac Conduction System: Advances in Cellular, Gene, and Tissue Engineering for Heart Rhythm Regeneration. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:673477. [PMID: 34409019 PMCID: PMC8365186 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.673477] [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: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Heart rhythm disturbances caused by different etiologies may affect pediatric and adult patients with life-threatening consequences. When pharmacological therapy is ineffective in treating the disturbances, the implantation of electronic devices to control and/or restore normal heart pacing is a unique clinical management option. Although these artificial devices are life-saving, they display many limitations; not least, they do not have any capability to adapt to somatic growth or respond to neuroautonomic physiological changes. A biological pacemaker could offer a new clinical solution for restoring heart rhythms in the conditions of disorder in the cardiac conduction system. Several experimental approaches, such as cell-based, gene-based approaches, and the combination of both, for the generation of biological pacemakers are currently established and widely studied. Pacemaker bioengineering is also emerging as a technology to regenerate nodal tissues. This review analyzes and summarizes the strategies applied so far for the development of biological pacemakers, and discusses current translational challenges toward the first-in-human clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataliia Naumova
- Department of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Laura Iop
- Department of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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29
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Abstract
Cardiac congenital disabilities are the most common organ malformations, but we still do not understand how they arise in the human embryo. Moreover, although cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death globally, the development of new therapies is lagging compared with other fields. One major bottleneck hindering progress is the lack of self-organizing human cardiac models that recapitulate key aspects of human heart development, physiology and disease. Current in vitro cardiac three-dimensional systems are either engineered constructs or spherical aggregates of cardiomyocytes and other cell types. Although tissue engineering enables the modeling of some electro-mechanical properties, it falls short of mimicking heart development, morphogenetic defects and many clinically relevant aspects of cardiomyopathies. Here, we review different approaches and recent efforts to overcome these challenges in the field using a new generation of self-organizing embryonic and cardiac organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Hofbauer
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter, Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan M Jahnel
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter, Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sasha Mendjan
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter, Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
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30
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Razeghian-Jahromi I, Matta AG, Canitrot R, Zibaeenezhad MJ, Razmkhah M, Safari A, Nader V, Roncalli J. Surfing the clinical trials of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in ischemic cardiomyopathy. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:361. [PMID: 34162424 PMCID: PMC8220796 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02443-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
While existing remedies failed to fully address the consequences of heart failure, stem cell therapy has been introduced as a promising approach. The present review is a comprehensive appraisal of the impacts of using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in clinical trials mainly conducted on ischemic cardiomyopathy. The benefits of MSC therapy for dysfunctional myocardium are likely attributed to numerous secreted paracrine factors and immunomodulatory effects. The positive outcomes associated with MSC therapy are scar size reduction, reverse remodeling, and angiogenesis. Also, a decreasing in the level of chronic inflammatory markers of heart failure progression like TNF-α is observed. The intense inflammatory reaction in the injured myocardial micro-environment predicts a poor response of scar tissue to MSC therapy. Subsequently, the interval delay between myocardial injury and MSC therapy is not yet determined. The optimal requested dose of cells ranges between 100 to 150 million cells. Allogenic MSCs have different advantages compared to autogenic cells and intra-myocardial injection is the preferred delivery route. The safety and efficacy of MSCs-based therapy have been confirmed in numerous studies, however several undefined parameters like route of administration, optimal timing, source of stem cells, and necessary dose are limiting the routine use of MSCs therapeutic approach in clinical practice. Lastly, pre-conditioning of MSCs and using of exosomes mediated MSCs or genetically modified MSCs may improve the overall therapeutic effect. Future prospective studies establishing a constant procedure for MSCs transplantation are required in order to apply MSC therapy in our daily clinical practice and subsequently improving the overall prognosis of ischemic heart failure patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anthony G Matta
- Department of Cardiology, Institute CARDIOMET, University Hospital of Toulouse, Toulouse, France.,Faculty of medicine, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Kaslik, Lebanon
| | - Ronan Canitrot
- Department of Cardiology, Institute CARDIOMET, University Hospital of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Mahboobeh Razmkhah
- Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Anahid Safari
- Stem Cells Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Vanessa Nader
- Department of Cardiology, Institute CARDIOMET, University Hospital of Toulouse, Toulouse, France.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Jerome Roncalli
- Department of Cardiology, Institute CARDIOMET, University Hospital of Toulouse, Toulouse, France. .,Service de Cardiologie A, CHU de Toulouse, Hôpital de Rangueil, 1 avenue Jean Poulhès, TSA 50032, 31059, Toulouse Cedex 9, France.
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31
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Hofbauer P, Jahnel SM, Papai N, Giesshammer M, Deyett A, Schmidt C, Penc M, Tavernini K, Grdseloff N, Meledeth C, Ginistrelli LC, Ctortecka C, Šalic Š, Novatchkova M, Mendjan S. Cardioids reveal self-organizing principles of human cardiogenesis. Cell 2021; 184:3299-3317.e22. [PMID: 34019794 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 208] [Impact Index Per Article: 69.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Organoids capable of forming tissue-like structures have transformed our ability to model human development and disease. With the notable exception of the human heart, lineage-specific self-organizing organoids have been reported for all major organs. Here, we established self-organizing cardioids from human pluripotent stem cells that intrinsically specify, pattern, and morph into chamber-like structures containing a cavity. Cardioid complexity can be controlled by signaling that instructs the separation of cardiomyocyte and endothelial layers and by directing epicardial spreading, inward migration, and differentiation. We find that cavity morphogenesis is governed by a mesodermal WNT-BMP signaling axis and requires its target HAND1, a transcription factor linked to developmental heart chamber defects. Upon cryoinjury, cardioids initiated a cell-type-dependent accumulation of extracellular matrix, an early hallmark of both regeneration and heart disease. Thus, human cardioids represent a powerful platform to mechanistically dissect self-organization, congenital heart defects and serve as a foundation for future translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Hofbauer
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan M Jahnel
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nora Papai
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Magdalena Giesshammer
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alison Deyett
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Clara Schmidt
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Mirjam Penc
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Katherina Tavernini
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nastasja Grdseloff
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christy Meledeth
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Lavinia Ceci Ginistrelli
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudia Ctortecka
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Šejla Šalic
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Novatchkova
- Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sasha Mendjan
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria.
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32
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Gao Y, Pu J. Differentiation and Application of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived Cardiovascular Cells for Treatment of Heart Diseases: Promises and Challenges. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:658088. [PMID: 34055788 PMCID: PMC8149736 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.658088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are derived from human embryos (human embryonic stem cells) or reprogrammed from human somatic cells (human induced pluripotent stem cells). They can differentiate into cardiovascular cells, which have great potential as exogenous cell resources for restoring cardiac structure and function in patients with heart disease or heart failure. A variety of protocols have been developed to generate and expand cardiovascular cells derived from hPSCs in vitro. Precisely and spatiotemporally activating or inhibiting various pathways in hPSCs is required to obtain cardiovascular lineages with high differentiation efficiency. In this concise review, we summarize the protocols of differentiating hPSCs into cardiovascular cells, highlight their therapeutic application for treatment of cardiac diseases in large animal models, and discuss the challenges and limitations in the use of cardiac cells generated from hPSCs for a better clinical application of hPSC-based cardiac cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Gao
- Department of Cardiology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Pu
- Department of Cardiology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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33
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Wnt Activation and Reduced Cell-Cell Contact Synergistically Induce Massive Expansion of Functional Human iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 27:50-63.e5. [PMID: 32619518 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2020.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Modulating signaling pathways including Wnt and Hippo can induce cardiomyocyte proliferation in vivo. Applying these signaling modulators to human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) in vitro can expand CMs modestly (<5-fold). Here, we demonstrate massive expansion of hiPSC-CMs in vitro (i.e., 100- to 250-fold) by glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) inhibition using CHIR99021 and concurrent removal of cell-cell contact. We show that GSK-3β inhibition suppresses CM maturation, while contact removal prevents CMs from cell cycle exit. Remarkably, contact removal enabled 10 to 25 times greater expansion beyond GSK-3β inhibition alone. Mechanistically, persistent CM proliferation required both LEF/TCF activity and AKT phosphorylation but was independent from yes-associated protein (YAP) signaling. Engineered heart tissues from expanded hiPSC-CMs showed comparable contractility to those from unexpanded hiPSC-CMs, demonstrating uncompromised cellular functionality after expansion. In summary, we uncovered a molecular interplay that enables massive hiPSC-CM expansion for large-scale drug screening and tissue engineering applications.
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34
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Lee CS, Cho HJ, Lee JW, Son H, Chai J, Kim HS. Adhesion GPCR Latrophilin-2 Specifies Cardiac Lineage Commitment through CDK5, Src, and P38MAPK. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:868-882. [PMID: 33798451 PMCID: PMC8072181 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying lineage-specific markers is pivotal for understanding developmental processes and developing cell therapies. Here, we investigated the functioning of a cardiomyogenic cell-surface marker, latrophilin-2 (LPHN2), an adhesion G-protein-coupled receptor, in cardiac differentiation. LPHN2 was selectively expressed in cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) and cardiomyocytes (CMCs) during mouse and human pluripotent stem cell (PSC) differentiation; cell sorting with an anti-LPHN2 antibody promoted the isolation of populations highly enriched in CPCs and CMCs. Lphn2 knockdown or knockout PSCs did not express cardiac genes. We used the Phospho Explorer Antibody Array, which encompasses nearly all known signaling pathways, to assess molecular mechanisms underlying LPHN2-induced cardiac differentiation. LPHN2-dependent phosphorylation was the strongest for cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) at Tyr15. We identified CDK5, Src, and P38MAPK as key downstream molecules of LPHN2 signaling. These findings provide a valuable strategy for isolating CPCs and CMCs from PSCs and insights into the still-unknown cardiac differentiation mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choon-Soo Lee
- Strategic Center of Cell & Bio Therapy, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Jai Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Woo Lee
- Strategic Center of Cell & Bio Therapy, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - HyunJu Son
- Strategic Center of Cell & Bio Therapy, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinho Chai
- Strategic Center of Cell & Bio Therapy, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Program in Stem Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo-Soo Kim
- Strategic Center of Cell & Bio Therapy, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Program in Stem Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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35
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Pezhouman A, Engel JL, Nguyen NB, Skelton RJP, Gilmore WB, Qiao R, Sahoo D, Zhao P, Elliott DA, Ardehali R. Isolation and characterization of hESC-derived heart field-specific cardiomyocytes unravels new insights into their transcriptional and electrophysiological profiles. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 118:828-843. [PMID: 33744937 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS We prospectively isolate and characterize first and second heart field- and nodal-like cardiomyocytes using a double reporter line from human embryonic stem cells. Our double reporter line utilizes two important transcription factors in cardiac development, TBX5 and NKX2-5. TBX5 expression marks first heart field progenitors and cardiomyocytes while NKX2-5 is expressed in nearly all myocytes of the developing heart (excluding nodal cells). We address the shortcomings of prior work in the generation of heart-field specific cardiomyocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells and provide a comprehensive early developmental transcriptomic as well as electrophysiological analyses of these three populations. METHODS AND RESULTS Transcriptional, immunocytochemical, and functional studies support the cellular identities of isolated populations based on the expression pattern of NKX2-5 and TBX5. Importantly, bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing analyses provide evidence of unique molecular signatures of isolated first and second heart-field cardiomyocytes, as well as nodal-like cells. Extensive electrophysiological analyses reveal dominant atrial action potential phenotypes in first and second heart fields in alignment with our findings in single-cell RNA sequencing. Lastly, we identify two novel surface markers, POPDC2 and CORIN, that enables purification of cardiomyocytes and first heart field cardiomyocytes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS We describe a high yield approach for isolation and characterization of human embryonic stem cell-derived heart field specific and nodal-like cardiomyocytes. Obtaining enriched populations of these different cardiomyocyte subtypes increases the resolution of gene expression profiling during early cardiogenesis, arrhythmia modeling, and drug screening. This paves the way for the development of effective stem cell therapy to treat diseases that affect specific regions of the heart or chamber-specific congenital heart defects. TRANSLATIONAL PERSPECTIVE Myocardial infarction leads to irreversible loss of cardiomyocytes and eventually heart failure. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can be differentiated to cardiomyocytes and are considered a potential source of cell therapy for cardiac regeneration. However, current differentiation strategies yield a mixture of cardiomyocyte subtypes and safety concerns stemming from the use of a heterogenous population of cardiomyocytes have hindered its application. Here, we report generation of enriched heart field-specific cardiomyocytes using a hESC double reporter. Our study facilitates investigating early human cardiogenesis in vitro and generating chamber-specific cardiomyocytes to treat diseases that affect specific regions of the heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Pezhouman
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.,Eli and Edy the Broad Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - James L Engel
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.,Eli and Edy the Broad Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Ngoc B Nguyen
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.,Eli and Edy the Broad Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.,Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology Graduate Program, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Rhys J P Skelton
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.,Eli and Edy the Broad Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - W Blake Gilmore
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.,Eli and Edy the Broad Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Rong Qiao
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.,Eli and Edy the Broad Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Debashis Sahoo
- Departments of Pediatrics and Computer Science and Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Peng Zhao
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - David A Elliott
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Reza Ardehali
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.,Eli and Edy the Broad Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.,Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology Graduate Program, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.,Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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36
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James EC, Tomaskovic-Crook E, Crook JM. Bioengineering Clinically Relevant Cardiomyocytes and Cardiac Tissues from Pluripotent Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063005. [PMID: 33809429 PMCID: PMC8001925 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The regenerative capacity of cardiomyocytes is insufficient to functionally recover damaged tissue, and as such, ischaemic heart disease forms the largest proportion of cardiovascular associated deaths. Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have enormous potential for developing patient specific cardiomyocytes for modelling heart disease, patient-based cardiac toxicity testing and potentially replacement therapy. However, traditional protocols for hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes yield mixed populations of atrial, ventricular and nodal-like cells with immature cardiac properties. New insights gleaned from embryonic heart development have progressed the precise production of subtype-specific hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes; however, their physiological immaturity severely limits their utility as model systems and their use for drug screening and cell therapy. The long-entrenched challenges in this field are being addressed by innovative bioengingeering technologies that incorporate biophysical, biochemical and more recently biomimetic electrical cues, with the latter having the potential to be used to both direct hiPSC differentiation and augment maturation and the function of derived cardiomyocytes and cardiac tissues by mimicking endogenous electric fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Claire James
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, AIIM Facility, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2500, Australia;
| | - Eva Tomaskovic-Crook
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, AIIM Facility, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2500, Australia;
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2500, Australia
- Correspondence: (E.T.-C.); (J.M.C.)
| | - Jeremy Micah Crook
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, AIIM Facility, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2500, Australia;
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2500, Australia
- Department of Surgery, St Vincent’s Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Fitzroy 3065, Australia
- Correspondence: (E.T.-C.); (J.M.C.)
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37
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Genetic Cardiomyopathies: The Lesson Learned from hiPSCs. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10051149. [PMID: 33803477 PMCID: PMC7967174 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10051149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic cardiomyopathies represent a wide spectrum of inherited diseases and constitute an important cause of morbidity and mortality among young people, which can manifest with heart failure, arrhythmias, and/or sudden cardiac death. Multiple underlying genetic variants and molecular pathways have been discovered in recent years; however, assessing the pathogenicity of new variants often needs in-depth characterization in order to ascertain a causal role in the disease. The application of human induced pluripotent stem cells has greatly helped to advance our knowledge in this field and enabled to obtain numerous in vitro patient-specific cellular models useful to study the underlying molecular mechanisms and test new therapeutic strategies. A milestone in the research of genetically determined heart disease was the introduction of genomic technologies that provided unparalleled opportunities to explore the genetic architecture of cardiomyopathies, thanks to the generation of isogenic pairs. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the main research that helped elucidate the pathophysiology of the most common genetic cardiomyopathies: hypertrophic, dilated, arrhythmogenic, and left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathies. A special focus is provided on the application of gene-editing techniques in understanding key disease characteristics and on the therapeutic approaches that have been tested.
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38
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Verkerk AO, Wilders R. Dynamic Clamp in Electrophysiological Studies on Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes-Why and How? J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2021; 77:267-279. [PMID: 33229908 DOI: 10.1097/fjc.0000000000000955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) are supposed to be a good human-based model, with virtually unlimited cell source, for studies on mechanisms underlying cardiac development and cardiac diseases, and for identification of drug targets. However, a major drawback of hPSC-CMs as a model system, especially for electrophysiological studies, is their depolarized state and associated spontaneous electrical activity. Various approaches are used to overcome this drawback, including the injection of "synthetic" inward rectifier potassium current (IK1), which is computed in real time, based on the recorded membrane potential ("dynamic clamp"). Such injection of an IK1-like current results in quiescent hPSC-CMs with a nondepolarized resting potential that show "adult-like" action potentials on stimulation, with functional availability of the most important ion channels involved in cardiac electrophysiology. These days, dynamic clamp has become a widely appreciated electrophysiological tool. However, setting up a dynamic clamp system can still be laborious and difficult, both because of the required hardware and the implementation of the dedicated software. In the present review, we first summarize the potential mechanisms underlying the depolarized state of hPSC-CMs and the functional consequences of this depolarized state. Next, we explain how an existing manual patch clamp setup can be extended with dynamic clamp. Finally, we shortly validate the extended setup with atrial-like and ventricular-like hPSC-CMs. We feel that dynamic clamp is a highly valuable tool in the field of cellular electrophysiological studies on hPSC-CMs and hope that our directions for setting up such dynamic clamp system may prove helpful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arie O Verkerk
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ; and
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald Wilders
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ; and
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39
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van Eif VW, Protze S, Bosada FM, Yuan X, Sinha T, van Duijvenboden K, Ernault AC, Mohan RA, Wakker V, de Gier-de Vries C, Hooijkaas IB, Wilson MD, Verkerk AO, Bakkers J, Boukens BJ, Black BL, Scott IC, Christoffels VM. Genome-Wide Analysis Identifies an Essential Human TBX3 Pacemaker Enhancer. Circ Res 2020; 127:1522-1535. [PMID: 33040635 PMCID: PMC8153223 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.120.317054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The development and function of the pacemaker cardiomyocytes of the sinoatrial node (SAN), the leading pacemaker of the heart, are tightly controlled by a conserved network of transcription factors, including TBX3 (T-box transcription factor 3), ISL1 (ISL LIM homeobox 1), and SHOX2 (short stature homeobox 2). Yet, the regulatory DNA elements (REs) controlling target gene expression in the SAN pacemaker cells have remained undefined. OBJECTIVE Identification of the regulatory landscape of human SAN-like pacemaker cells and functional assessment of SAN-specific REs potentially involved in pacemaker cell gene regulation. METHODS AND RESULTS We performed Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin using sequencing on human pluripotent stem cell-derived SAN-like pacemaker cells and ventricle-like cells and identified thousands of putative REs specific for either human cell type. We validated pacemaker cell-specific elements in the SHOX2 and TBX3 loci. CRISPR-mediated homozygous deletion of the mouse ortholog of a noncoding region with candidate pacemaker-specific REs in the SHOX2 locus resulted in selective loss of Shox2 expression from the developing SAN and embryonic lethality. Putative pacemaker-specific REs were identified up to 1 Mbp upstream of TBX3 in a region close to MED13L harboring variants associated with heart rate recovery after exercise. The orthologous region was deleted in mice, which resulted in selective loss of expression of Tbx3 from the SAN and (cardiac) ganglia and in neonatal lethality. Expression of Tbx3 was maintained in other tissues including the atrioventricular conduction system, lungs, and liver. Heterozygous adult mice showed increased SAN recovery times after pacing. The human REs harboring the associated variants robustly drove expression in the SAN of transgenic mouse embryos. CONCLUSIONS We provided a genome-wide collection of candidate human pacemaker-specific REs, including the loci of SHOX2, TBX3, and ISL1, and identified a link between human genetic variants influencing heart rate recovery after exercise and a variant RE with highly conserved function, driving SAN expression of TBX3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent W.W. van Eif
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stephanie Protze
- McEwen Stem Cell Institute, University Health Network and the Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fernanda M. Bosada
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Xuefei Yuan
- The Hospital for Sick Children; and the Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Tanvi Sinha
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, United States
| | - Karel van Duijvenboden
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Auriane C. Ernault
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Aix-Marseille Université, INSERM, MMG - U1251, Marseille, France
| | - Rajiv A. Mohan
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent Wakker
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Corrie de Gier-de Vries
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ingeborg B. Hooijkaas
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michael D. Wilson
- The Hospital for Sick Children; and the Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Arie O. Verkerk
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Bakkers
- Hubrecht Institute and University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Bastiaan J. Boukens
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Brian L. Black
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, United States
| | - Ian C. Scott
- The Hospital for Sick Children; and the Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Vincent M. Christoffels
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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40
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Schwach V, Gomes Fernandes M, Maas S, Gerhardt S, Tsonaka R, van der Weerd L, Passier R, Mummery CL, Birket MJ, Salvatori DCF. Expandable human cardiovascular progenitors from stem cells for regenerating mouse heart after myocardial infarction. Cardiovasc Res 2020; 116:545-553. [PMID: 31287499 PMCID: PMC7252440 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvz181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 05/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Cardiovascular diseases caused by loss of functional cardiomyocytes (CMs) are a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide due in part to the low regenerative capacity of the adult human heart. Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived cardiovascular progenitor cells (CPCs) are a potential cell source for cardiac repair. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of extensive remuscularization and coincident revascularization on cardiac remodelling and function in a mouse model of myocardial infarction (MI) by transplanting doxycycline (DOX)-inducible (Tet-On-MYC) hPSC-derived CPCs in vivo and inducing proliferation and cardiovascular differentiation in a drug-regulated manner. METHODS AND RESULTS CPCs were injected firstly at a non-cardiac site in Matrigel suspension under the skin of immunocompromised mice to assess their commitment to the cardiovascular lineage and ability to self-renew or differentiate in vivo when instructed by systemically delivered factors including DOX and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). CPCs in Matrigel were then injected intra-myocardially in mice subjected to MI to assess whether expandable CPCs could mediate cardiac repair. Transplanted CPCs expanded robustly both subcutis and in the myocardium using the same DOX/growth factor inducing regime. Upon withdrawal of these cell-renewal factors, CPCs differentiated with high efficiency at both sites into the major cardiac lineages including CMs, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells. After MI, engraftment of CPCs in the heart significantly reduced fibrosis in the infarcted area and prevented left ventricular remodelling, although cardiac function determined by magnetic resonance imaging was unaltered. CONCLUSION Replacement of large areas of muscle may be required to regenerate the heart of patients following MI. Our human/mouse model demonstrated that proliferating hPSC-CPCs could reduce infarct size and fibrosis resulting in formation of large grafts. Importantly, the results suggested that expanding transplanted cells in situ at the progenitor stage maybe be an effective alternative causing less tissue damage than injection of very large numbers of CMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Schwach
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Gomes Fernandes
- Pathology Unit, Central Laboratory Animal Facility, Einthovenweg, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Saskia Maas
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Pathology Unit, Central Laboratory Animal Facility, Einthovenweg, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sophie Gerhardt
- Pathology Unit, Central Laboratory Animal Facility, Einthovenweg, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Roula Tsonaka
- Department of Medical Statistics and Bioinformatics, Einthovenweg, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Louise van der Weerd
- Department of Human Genetics and Radiology, Einthovenweg, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Passier
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Christine L Mummery
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Matthew J Birket
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Daniela C F Salvatori
- Pathology Unit, Central Laboratory Animal Facility, Einthovenweg, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Anatomy and Physiology Division, Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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41
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Yechikov S, Kao HKJ, Chang CW, Pretto D, Zhang XD, Sun YH, Smithers R, Sirish P, Nolta JA, Chan JW, Chiamvimonvat N, Lieu DK. NODAL inhibition promotes differentiation of pacemaker-like cardiomyocytes from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cell Res 2020; 49:102043. [PMID: 33128951 PMCID: PMC7814970 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2020.102043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Directed cardiomyogenesis from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) has been greatly improved in the last decade but directed differentiation to pacemaking cardiomyocytes (CMs) remains incompletely understood. In this study, we demonstrated that inhibition of NODAL signaling by a specific NODAL inhibitor (SB431542) in the cardiac mesoderm differentiation stage downregulated PITX2c, a transcription factor that is known to inhibit the formation of the sinoatrial node in the left atrium during cardiac development. The resulting hiPSC-CMs were smaller in cell size, expressed higher pro-pacemaking transcription factors, TBX3 and TBX18, and exhibited pacemaking-like electrophysiological characteristics compared to control hiPSC-CMs differentiated from established Wnt-based protocol. The pacemaker-like subtype increased up to 2.4-fold in hiPSC-CMs differentiated with the addition of SB431542 relative to the control. Hence, Nodal inhibition in the cardiac mesoderm stage promoted pacemaker-like CM differentiation from hiPSCs. Improving the yield of human pacemaker-like CMs is a critical first step in the development of functional human cell-based biopacemakers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Yechikov
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Hillary K J Kao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Che-Wei Chang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Dalyir Pretto
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Xiao-Dong Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA
| | - Yao-Hui Sun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Regan Smithers
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; Bridges to Stem Cell Research Program, California State University Sacramento, Sacramento, CA 95819, USA
| | - Padmini Sirish
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; Department of Veterans Affairs, Northern California Health Care System, Mather, CA 95655, USA
| | - Jan A Nolta
- Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; Department of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - James W Chan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Nipavan Chiamvimonvat
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; Department of Veterans Affairs, Northern California Health Care System, Mather, CA 95655, USA
| | - Deborah K Lieu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
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42
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Protze SI, Lee JH, Keller GM. Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiovascular Cells: From Developmental Biology to Therapeutic Applications. Cell Stem Cell 2020; 25:311-327. [PMID: 31491395 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2019.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Advances in our understanding of cardiovascular development have provided a roadmap for the directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to the major cell types found in the heart. In this Perspective, we review the state of the field in generating and maturing cardiovascular cells from hPSCs based on our fundamental understanding of heart development. We then highlight their applications for studying human heart development, modeling disease-performing drug screening, and cell replacement therapy. With the advancements highlighted here, the promise that hPSCs will deliver new treatments for degenerative and debilitating diseases may soon be fulfilled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie I Protze
- McEwen Stem Cell Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
| | - Jee Hoon Lee
- BlueRock Therapeutics ULC, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Gordon M Keller
- McEwen Stem Cell Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada; Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada.
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43
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Montero P, Flandes-Iparraguirre M, Musquiz S, Pérez Araluce M, Plano D, Sanmartín C, Orive G, Gavira JJ, Prosper F, Mazo MM. Cells, Materials, and Fabrication Processes for Cardiac Tissue Engineering. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:955. [PMID: 32850768 PMCID: PMC7431658 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer worldwide, with myocardial infarction (MI) responsible for approximately 1 in 6 deaths. The lack of endogenous regenerative capacity, added to the deleterious remodelling programme set into motion by myocardial necrosis, turns MI into a progressively debilitating disease, which current pharmacological therapy cannot halt. The advent of Regenerative Therapies over 2 decades ago kick-started a whole new scientific field whose aim was to prevent or even reverse the pathological processes of MI. As a highly dynamic organ, the heart displays a tight association between 3D structure and function, with the non-cellular components, mainly the cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM), playing both fundamental active and passive roles. Tissue engineering aims to reproduce this tissue architecture and function in order to fabricate replicas able to mimic or even substitute damaged organs. Recent advances in cell reprogramming and refinement of methods for additive manufacturing have played a critical role in the development of clinically relevant engineered cardiovascular tissues. This review focuses on the generation of human cardiac tissues for therapy, paying special attention to human pluripotent stem cells and their derivatives. We provide a perspective on progress in regenerative medicine from the early stages of cell therapy to the present day, as well as an overview of cellular processes, materials and fabrication strategies currently under investigation. Finally, we summarise current clinical applications and reflect on the most urgent needs and gaps to be filled for efficient translation to the clinical arena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Montero
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Foundation for Applied Medical Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - María Flandes-Iparraguirre
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Foundation for Applied Medical Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Saioa Musquiz
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Foundation for Applied Medical Research, Pamplona, Spain
- NanoBioCel Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country – UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - María Pérez Araluce
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Foundation for Applied Medical Research, Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Daniel Plano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carmen Sanmartín
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Gorka Orive
- NanoBioCel Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country – UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
- University Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Oral Implantology – UIRMI (UPV/EHU – Fundación Eduardo Anitua), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Juan José Gavira
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
- Cardiology Department, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Felipe Prosper
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Foundation for Applied Medical Research, Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Area, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Manuel M. Mazo
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Foundation for Applied Medical Research, Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Area, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
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44
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Gerrard DT, Berry AA, Jennings RE, Birket MJ, Zarrineh P, Garstang MG, Withey SL, Short P, Jiménez-Gancedo S, Firbas PN, Donaldson I, Sharrocks AD, Hanley KP, Hurles ME, Gomez-Skarmeta JL, Bobola N, Hanley NA. Dynamic changes in the epigenomic landscape regulate human organogenesis and link to developmental disorders. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3920. [PMID: 32764605 PMCID: PMC7413392 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17305-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
How the genome activates or silences transcriptional programmes governs organ formation. Little is known in human embryos undermining our ability to benchmark the fidelity of stem cell differentiation or cell programming, or interpret the pathogenicity of noncoding variation. Here, we study histone modifications across thirteen tissues during human organogenesis. We integrate the data with transcription to build an overview of how the human genome differentially regulates alternative organ fates including by repression. Promoters from nearly 20,000 genes partition into discrete states. Key developmental gene sets are actively repressed outside of the appropriate organ without obvious bivalency. Candidate enhancers, functional in zebrafish, allow imputation of tissue-specific and shared patterns of transcription factor binding. Overlaying more than 700 noncoding mutations from patients with developmental disorders allows correlation to unanticipated target genes. Taken together, the data provide a comprehensive genomic framework for investigating normal and abnormal human development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dave T Gerrard
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Andrew A Berry
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Rachel E Jennings
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
- Endocrinology Department, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Grafton Street, Manchester, M13 9WU, UK
| | - Matthew J Birket
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Peyman Zarrineh
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Myles G Garstang
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Sarah L Withey
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Patrick Short
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Sandra Jiménez-Gancedo
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD), Consejo Superior de Investigacionnes Cientificas/Universidad Pablo de Olavide/Junta de Analucía, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Panos N Firbas
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD), Consejo Superior de Investigacionnes Cientificas/Universidad Pablo de Olavide/Junta de Analucía, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Ian Donaldson
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Andrew D Sharrocks
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Karen Piper Hanley
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | | | - José Luis Gomez-Skarmeta
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD), Consejo Superior de Investigacionnes Cientificas/Universidad Pablo de Olavide/Junta de Analucía, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Nicoletta Bobola
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Neil A Hanley
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
- Endocrinology Department, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Grafton Street, Manchester, M13 9WU, UK.
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45
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van Weerd JH, Mohan RA, van Duijvenboden K, Hooijkaas IB, Wakker V, Boukens BJ, Barnett P, Christoffels VM. Trait-associated noncoding variant regions affect TBX3 regulation and cardiac conduction. eLife 2020; 9:56697. [PMID: 32672536 PMCID: PMC7365664 DOI: 10.7554/elife.56697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies have implicated common genomic variants in the gene desert upstream of TBX3 in cardiac conduction velocity. Whether these noncoding variants affect expression of TBX3 or neighboring genes and how they affect cardiac conduction is not understood. Here, we use high-throughput STARR-seq to test the entire 1.3 Mb human and mouse TBX3 locus, including two cardiac conduction-associated variant regions, for regulatory function. We identified multiple accessible and functional regulatory DNA elements that harbor variants affecting their activity. Both variant regions drove gene expression in the cardiac conduction tissue in transgenic reporter mice. Genomic deletion from the mouse genome of one of the regions caused increased cardiac expression of only Tbx3, PR interval shortening and increased QRS duration. Combined, our findings address the mechanistic link between trait-associated variants in the gene desert, TBX3 regulation and cardiac conduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Hendrik van Weerd
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rajiv A Mohan
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Karel van Duijvenboden
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ingeborg B Hooijkaas
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Vincent Wakker
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Bastiaan J Boukens
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Phil Barnett
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Vincent M Christoffels
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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46
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Liu F, Fang Y, Hou X, Yan Y, Xiao H, Zuo D, Wen J, Wang L, Zhou Z, Dang X, Zhou R, Liao B. Enrichment differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells into sinoatrial node-like cells by combined modulation of BMP, FGF, and RA signaling pathways. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:284. [PMID: 32678003 PMCID: PMC7364513 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01794-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biological pacemakers derived from pluripotent stem cell (PSC) have been considered as a potential therapeutic surrogate for sick sinus syndrome. So it is essential to develop highly efficient strategies for enrichment of sinoatrial node-like cells (SANLCs) as seed cells for biological pacemakers. It has been reported that BMP, FGF, and RA signaling pathways are involved in specification of different cardiomyocyte subtypes, pacemaker, ventricular, and atrial cells. We aimed to investigate whether combined modulation of BMP, FGF, and RA signaling pathways could enrich the differentiation of SANLC from human pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC). METHODS During the differentiation process from human induced pluripotent stem cell to cardiomyocyte through small molecule-based temporal modulation of the Wnt signaling pathway, signaling of BMP, FGF, and RA was manipulated at cardiac mesoderm stage. qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and whole cell patch clamp were used to identify the SANLC. RESULTS qRT-PCR results showed that manipulating each one of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and retinoid acid (RA) signaling was effective for the upregulation of SANLC markers. Moreover, combined modulation of these three pathways displayed the best efficiency for the expression of SANLC markers, which was further confirmed at protein level using immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Finally, the electrophysiological characteristics of upregulated SANLC were verified by patch clamp method. CONCLUSION An efficient transgene-independent differentiation protocol for generating SANLC from hiPSC was developed, in which combined modulating BMP, FGF, and RA signaling at cardiac mesoderm stage generates SANLC at high efficiency. This may serve as a potential approach for biological pacemaker construction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Liu
- Department of Cardiac Macrovascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, 3-319 Zhongshan Road, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Yibing Fang
- Department of Cardiac Macrovascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, 3-319 Zhongshan Road, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaojie Hou
- Department of Cardiac Macrovascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, 3-319 Zhongshan Road, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Ying Yan
- College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Haiying Xiao
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, 3-319 Zhongshan Road, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Dongchuan Zuo
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, 3-319 Zhongshan Road, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Jing Wen
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, 3-319 Zhongshan Road, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Linli Wang
- Guangzhou Biocare Institute of Cancer, Guangzhou, 510663, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhichao Zhou
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xitong Dang
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, 3-319 Zhongshan Road, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Rui Zhou
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, 3-319 Zhongshan Road, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
| | - Bin Liao
- Department of Cardiac Macrovascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, 3-319 Zhongshan Road, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
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47
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Miwa T, Idiris A, Kumagai H. A novel cardiac differentiation method of a large number and uniformly-sized spheroids using microfabricated culture vessels. Regen Ther 2020; 15:18-26. [PMID: 32490063 PMCID: PMC7256449 DOI: 10.1016/j.reth.2020.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiomyocytes differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have great potential for regenerative medicine and drug discovery. In this study, we developed a novel protocol to more reproducibly and efficiently induce cardiomyocytes. A large quantity of uniformly sized spheroids were generated from hiPSCs using microfabricated vessels and induced into cardiac differentiation. In the middle of the cardiac differentiation process, spheroids were then dissociated into single cells and reaggregated into smaller spheroids using the microfabricated vessels. This reaggregation process raised WNT5A and WNT11 expression levels and improved the quality of cardiomyocyte population compared to that in a control group in which dissociation and reaggregation were not performed. Microfabricated culture vessels were used to form large number of hiPSC spheroids. High purity cardiomyocytes were obtained by reaggregation of hiPSC-derived spheroids. Maturation of cardiomyocyte was promoted by the reaggregation process. WNTs were also increased the reaggregation process during cardiac differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuaki Miwa
- Developing & Planning Division, Technology Development General Division, Electronics Company, AGC Inc., (reside in AGC Techno Glass Co.), 3583-5 Kawashiri Yoshida-cho, Haibara-gun, Shizuoka 421-0302, Japan
| | - Alimjan Idiris
- Biochemistry Team, Bio Science Division, Material Integration Laboratories, Technology General Division, AGC Inc., 1150 Hazawa-cho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 221-8755, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Kumagai
- AGC Research Institute, Inc., Shin-Marunouchi Bldg. 1-5-1, Marunouchi Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-6530 Japan
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Modeling Cardiovascular Diseases with hiPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes in 2D and 3D Cultures. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21093404. [PMID: 32403456 PMCID: PMC7246991 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, the generation of cardiac disease models based on human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) has become of common use, providing new opportunities to overcome the lack of appropriate cardiac models. Although much progress has been made toward the generation of hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPS-CMs), several lines of evidence indicate that two-dimensional (2D) cell culturing presents significant limitations, including hiPS-CMs immaturity and the absence of interaction between different cell types and the extracellular matrix. More recently, new advances in bioengineering and co-culture systems have allowed the generation of three-dimensional (3D) constructs based on hiPSC-derived cells. Within these systems, biochemical and physical stimuli influence the maturation of hiPS-CMs, which can show structural and functional properties more similar to those present in adult cardiomyocytes. In this review, we describe the latest advances in 2D- and 3D-hiPSC technology for cardiac disease mechanisms investigation, drug development, and therapeutic studies.
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Zhao MT, Shao NY, Garg V. Subtype-specific cardiomyocytes for precision medicine: Where are we now? Stem Cells 2020; 38:822-833. [PMID: 32232889 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Patient-derived pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have greatly transformed the current understanding of human heart development and cardiovascular disease. Cardiomyocytes derived from personalized PSCs are powerful tools for modeling heart disease and performing patient-based cardiac toxicity testing. However, these PSC-derived cardiomyocytes (PSC-CMs) are a mixed population of atrial-, ventricular-, and pacemaker-like cells in the dish, hindering the future of precision cardiovascular medicine. Recent insights gleaned from the developing heart have paved new avenues to refine subtype-specific cardiomyocytes from patients with known pathogenic genetic variants and clinical phenotypes. Here, we discuss the recent progress on generating subtype-specific (atrial, ventricular, and nodal) cardiomyocytes from the perspective of embryonic heart development and how human pluripotent stem cells will expand our current knowledge on molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular disease and the future of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Tao Zhao
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute and The Heart Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Ning-Yi Shao
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, People's Republic of China
| | - Vidu Garg
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute and The Heart Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Schwach V, Slaats RH, Passier R. Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes for Assessment of Anticancer Drug-Induced Cardiotoxicity. Front Cardiovasc Med 2020; 7:50. [PMID: 32322588 PMCID: PMC7156610 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2020.00050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiotoxicity is a major cause of high attrition rates among newly developed drugs. Moreover, anti-cancer treatment-induced cardiotoxicity is one of the leading reasons of mortality in cancer survivors. Cardiotoxicity screening in vitro may improve predictivity of cardiotoxicity by novel drugs, using human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived-cardiomyocytes. Anthracyclines, including Doxorubicin, are widely used and highly effective chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of different forms of malignancies. Unfortunately, anthracyclines cause many cardiac complications early or late after therapy. Anthracyclines exhibit their potent anti-cancer effect primarily via induction of DNA damage during the DNA replication phase in proliferative cells. In contrast, studies in animals and hPSC-cardiomyocytes have revealed that cardiotoxic effects particularly arise from (1) the generation of oxidative stress inducing mitochondrial dysfunction, (2) disruption of calcium homeostasis, and (3) changes in transcriptome and proteome, triggering apoptotic cell death. To increase the therapeutic index of chemotherapeutic Doxorubicin therapy several protective strategies have been developed or are under development, such as (1) reducing toxicity through modification of Doxorubicin (analogs), (2) targeted delivery of anthracyclines specifically to the tumor tissue or (3) cardioprotective agents that can be used in combination with Doxorubicin. Despite continuous progress in the field of cardio-oncology, cardiotoxicity is still one of the major complications of anti-cancer therapy. In this review, we focus on current hPSC-cardiomyocyte models for assessing anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity and strategies for cardioprotection. In addition, we discuss latest developments toward personalized advanced pre-clinical models that are more closely recapitulating the human heart, which are necessary to support in vitro screening platforms with higher predictivity. These advanced models have the potential to reduce the time from bench-to-bedside of novel antineoplastic drugs with reduced cardiotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Schwach
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Rolf H Slaats
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Robert Passier
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands.,Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
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