Functional characterization of embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes using scanning ion conductance microscopy

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Cardiology
• Stem Cell Biology

Background:

• Identifying and quantifying cardiomyocyte function is crucial for drug development.
• Current methods may lack the resolution to assess individual cell contractions within mixed populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) as a novel tool for imaging and analyzing cardiomyocyte contraction.
• To demonstrate SICM's capability in assessing the position, number, and contractile responses of embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (ESCM) within heterogeneous cell cultures.

Main Methods:

• Utilized scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) to generate high-resolution surface images of ESCM.
• Quantified cardiomyocyte contraction by measuring amplitude and rhythm.
• Applied different modulators of contraction to validate SICM's response recording capabilities.

Main Results:

• SICM successfully produced surface images of ESCM, enabling identification of individual contracting cells.
• The method allowed for quantitative assessment of ESCM contraction amplitude and rhythm.
• Demonstrated SICM's utility in evaluating the effects of contraction modulators and antiarrhythmogenic drugs.

Conclusions:

• SICM offers a novel, high-resolution approach for analyzing cardiomyocyte contractility in situ.
• This technique facilitates the assessment of ESCM behavior within mixed cell populations and their response to pharmacological agents.
• The developed model shows promise for investigating the protective effects of drugs, such as antiarrhythmogenic compounds.