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Yang J, Daily N, Pullinger TK, Wakatsuki T, Sobie EA. Creating cell-specific computational models of stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes using optical experiments. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.07.574577. [PMID: 38260376 PMCID: PMC10802448 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.07.574577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) have gained traction as a powerful model in cardiac disease and therapeutics research, since iPSCs are self-renewing and can be derived from healthy and diseased patients without invasive surgery. However, current iPSC-CM differentiation methods produce cardiomyocytes with immature, fetal-like electrophysiological phenotypes, and the variety of maturation protocols in the literature results in phenotypic differences between labs. Heterogeneity of iPSC donor genetic backgrounds contributes to additional phenotypic variability. Several mathematical models of iPSC-CM electrophysiology have been developed to help understand the ionic underpinnings of, and to simulate, various cell responses, but these models individually do not capture the phenotypic variability observed in iPSC-CMs. Here, we tackle these limitations by developing a computational pipeline to calibrate cell preparation-specific iPSC-CM electrophysiological parameters. We used the genetic algorithm (GA), a heuristic parameter calibration method, to tune ion channel parameters in a mathematical model of iPSC-CM physiology. To systematically optimize an experimental protocol that generates sufficient data for parameter calibration, we created simulated datasets by applying various protocols to a population of in silico cells with known conductance variations, and we fitted to those datasets. We found that calibrating models to voltage and calcium transient data under 3 varied experimental conditions, including electrical pacing combined with ion channel blockade and changing buffer ion concentrations, improved model parameter estimates and model predictions of unseen channel block responses. This observation held regardless of whether the fitted data were normalized, suggesting that normalized fluorescence recordings, which are more accessible and higher throughput than patch clamp recordings, could sufficiently inform conductance parameters. Therefore, this computational pipeline can be applied to different iPSC-CM preparations to determine cell line-specific ion channel properties and understand the mechanisms behind variability in perturbation responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janice Yang
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences & Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Neil Daily
- InvivoSciences Inc., Madison, WI 53719, USA
| | - Taylor K Pullinger
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences & Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Eric A Sobie
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences & Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Thakar RG, Fenton KN. Bioethical implications of organ-on-a-chip on modernizing drug development. Artif Organs 2023; 47:1553-1558. [PMID: 37578206 PMCID: PMC10615722 DOI: 10.1111/aor.14620] [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] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Organ-on-chips are three-dimensional microdevices that emulate the structure, functionality, and behavior of specific tissues or organs using human cells. Combining organoids with microfabricated fluidic channels and microelectronics, these systems offer a promising platform for studying disease mechanisms, drug responses, and tissue performance. By replicating the in vivo microenvironment, these devices can recreate complex cell interactions in controlled conditions and facilitate research in various fields, including drug toxicity and efficacy studies, biochemical analysis, and disease pathogenesis. Integrating human induced pluripotent stem cells further enhances their applicability, thereby enabling patient-specific disease modeling for precision medicine. Although challenges like economy-of-scale, multichip integration, and regulatory compliance exist, advances in this modular technology show promise for lowering drug development costs, improving reproducibility, and reducing the reliance on animal testing. The ethical landscape surrounding organ-on-chip usage presents both benefits and concerns. While these chips offer an alternative to animal testing and potential cost savings, they raise ethical considerations related to community engagement, informed consent, and the need for standardized guidelines. Ensuring public acceptance and involvement in decision-making is vital to address misinformation and mistrust. Furthermore, personalized medicine models using patient-derived cells demand careful consideration of potential ethical dilemmas, such as modeling physiological functions of fetuses or brains and determining the extent of protection for these models. To achieve the full potential of organ-on-a-chip models, collaboration between scientists, ethicists, and regulators is essential to fulfil the promise of transforming drug development, advancing personalized medicine, and contributing to a more ethical and efficient biomedical research landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul G Thakar
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Kathleen N Fenton
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Department of Bioethics, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Mesquita FCP, Morrissey J, Monnerat G, Domont GB, Nogueira FCS, Hochman-Mendez C. Decellularized Extracellular Matrix Powder Accelerates Metabolic Maturation at Early Stages of Cardiac Differentiation in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes. Cells Tissues Organs 2023; 212:32-44. [PMID: 34933302 DOI: 10.1159/000521580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
During fetal development, cardiomyocytes switch from glycolysis to oxidative metabolism to sustain the energy requirements of functional cells. State-of-the-art cardiac differentiation protocols yield phenotypically immature cardiomyocytes, and common methods to improve metabolic maturation require multistep protocols to induce maturation only after cardiac specification is completed. Here, we describe a maturation method using ventricle-derived decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) that promoted early-stage metabolic maturation of cardiomyocytes differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Chemically and architecturally preserved particles (45-500 μm) of pig ventricular dECM were added to hiPSCs at the start of differentiation. At the end of our maturation protocol (day 15 of cardiac differentiation), we observed an intimate interaction between cardiomyocytes and dECM particles without impairment of cardiac differentiation efficiency (approx. 70% of cTNT+). Compared with control cells (those cultured without pig dECM), 15-day-old dECM-treated cardiomyocytes demonstrated increased expression of markers related to cardiac metabolic maturation, MAPK1, FOXO1, and FOXO3, and a switch from ITGA6 (the immature integrin isoform) to ITGA3 and ITGA7 (those present in adult cardiomyocytes). Electrical parameters and responsiveness to dobutamine also improved in pig ventricular dECM-treated cells. Extending the culture time to 30 days, we observed a switch from glucose to fatty acid metabolism, indicated by decreased glucose uptake and increased fatty acid consumption in cells cultured with dECM. Together, these data suggest that dECM contains endogenous cues that enable metabolic maturation of hiPSC-CMs at early stages of cardiac differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gustavo Monnerat
- Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gilberto B Domont
- Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fabio C S Nogueira
- Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Floy ME, Shabnam F, Simmons AD, Bhute VJ, Jin G, Friedrich WA, Steinberg AB, Palecek SP. Advances in Manufacturing Cardiomyocytes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Annu Rev Chem Biomol Eng 2022; 13:255-278. [PMID: 35320695 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-chembioeng-092120-033922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) technology over the past two decades has provided a source of normal and diseased human cells for a wide variety of in vitro and in vivo applications. Notably, hPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) are widely used to model human heart development and disease and are in clinical trials for treating heart disease. The success of hPSC-CMs in these applications requires robust, scalable approaches to manufacture large numbers of safe and potent cells. Although significant advances have been made over the past decade in improving the purity and yield of hPSC-CMs and scaling the differentiation process from 2D to 3D, efforts to induce maturation phenotypes during manufacturing have been slow. Process monitoring and closed-loop manufacturing strategies are just being developed. We discuss recent advances in hPSC-CM manufacturing, including differentiation process development and scaling and downstream processes as well as separation and stabilization. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Volume 13 is October 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha E Floy
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; , , , , ,
| | - Fathima Shabnam
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; , , , , ,
| | - Aaron D Simmons
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; , , , , ,
| | - Vijesh J Bhute
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; , .,Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gyuhyung Jin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA;
| | - Will A Friedrich
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; , , , , ,
| | - Alexandra B Steinberg
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; , , , , ,
| | - Sean P Palecek
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; , , , , ,
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Hart DA. What Molecular Recognition Systems Do Mesenchymal Stem Cells/Medicinal Signaling Cells (MSC) Use to Facilitate Cell-Cell and Cell Matrix Interactions? A Review of Evidence and Options. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168637. [PMID: 34445341 PMCID: PMC8395489 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells, also called medicinal signaling cells (MSC), have been studied regarding their potential to facilitate tissue repair for >30 years. Such cells, derived from multiple tissues and species, are capable of differentiation to a number of lineages (chondrocytes, adipocytes, bone cells). However, MSC are believed to be quite heterogeneous with regard to several characteristics, and the large number of studies performed thus far have met with limited or restricted success. Thus, there is more to understand about these cells, including the molecular recognition systems that are used by these cells to perform their functions, to enhance the realization of their potential to effect tissue repair. This perspective article reviews what is known regarding the recognition systems available to MSC, the possible systems that could be looked for, and alternatives to enhance their localization to specific injury sites and increase their subsequent facilitation of tissue repair. MSC are reported to express recognition molecules of the integrin family. However, there are a number of other recognition molecules that also could be involved such as lectins, inducible lectins, or even a MSC-specific family of molecules unique to these cells. Finally, it may be possible to engineer expression of recognition molecules on the surface of MSC to enhance their function in vivo artificially. Thus, improved understanding of recognition molecules on MSC could further their success in fostering tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Hart
- Department of Surgery and Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada;
- McCaig Institute for Bone & Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Alberta Health Services Bone & Joint Health Strategic Clinical Network, Edmonton, AB T5H 3E4, Canada
- Centre for Hip Health & Mobility, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
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Electrophysiology of hiPSC-Cardiomyocytes Co-Cultured with HEK Cells Expressing the Inward Rectifier Channel. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126621. [PMID: 34205607 PMCID: PMC8235371 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The immature electrophysiology of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiCMs) complicates their use for therapeutic and pharmacological purposes. An insufficient inward rectifying current (IK1) and the presence of a funny current (if) cause spontaneous electrical activity. This study tests the hypothesis that the co-culturing of hiCMs with a human embryonic kidney (HEK) cell-line expressing the Kir2.1 channel (HEK-IK1) can generate an electrical syncytium with an adult-like cardiac electrophysiology. The mechanical activity of co-cultures using different HEK-IK1:hiCM ratios was compared with co-cultures using wildtype (HEK–WT:hiCM) or hiCM alone on days 3–8 after plating. Only ratios of 1:3 and 1:1 showed a significant reduction in spontaneous rate at days 4 and 6, suggesting that IK1 was influencing the electrophysiology. Detailed analysis at day 4 revealed an increased incidence of quiescent wells or sub-areas. Electrical activity showed a decreased action potential duration (APD) at 20% and 50%, but not at 90%, alongside a reduced amplitude of the aggregate AP signal. A computational model of the 1:1 co-culture replicates the electrophysiological effects of HEK–WT. The addition of the IK1 conductance reduced the spontaneous rate and APD20, 50 and 90, and minor variation in the intercellular conductance caused quiescence. In conclusion, a 1:1 co-culture HEK-IK1:hiCM caused changes in electrophysiology and spontaneous activity consistent with the integration of IK1 into the electrical syncytium. However, the additional electrical effects of the HEK cell at 1:1 increased the possibility of electrical quiescence before sufficient IK1 was integrated into the syncytium.
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Utilizing Developmentally Essential Secreted Peptides Such as Thymosin Beta-4 to Remind the Adult Organs of Their Embryonic State-New Directions in Anti-Aging Regenerative Therapies. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061343. [PMID: 34071596 PMCID: PMC8228050 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Our dream of defeating the processes of aging has occupied the curious and has challenged scientists globally for hundreds of years. The history is long, and sadly, the solution is still elusive. Our endeavors to reverse the magnitude of damaging cellular and molecular alterations resulted in only a few, yet significant advancements. Furthermore, as our lifespan increases, physicians are facing more mind-bending questions in their routine practice than ever before. Although the ultimate goal is to successfully treat the body as a whole, steps towards regenerating individual organs are even considered significant. As our initial approach to enhance the endogenous restorative capacity by delivering exogenous progenitor cells appears limited, we propose, utilizing small molecules critical during embryonic development may prove to be a powerful tool to increase regeneration and to reverse the processes associated with aging. In this review, we introduce Thymosin beta-4, a 43aa secreted peptide fulfilling our hopes and capable of numerous regenerative achievements via systemic administration in the heart. Observing the broad capacity of this small, secreted peptide, we believe it is not the only molecule which nature conceals to our benefit. Hence, the discovery and postnatal administration of developmentally relevant agents along with other approaches may result in reversing the aging process.
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