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Updated: May 5, 2026
In Vitro Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Functional Cardiomyocyte-like Cells
Published on: August 9, 2017
Functional differences in engineered myocardium from embryonic stem cell-derived versus neonatal cardiomyocytes.
Adam W Feinberg1, Crystal M Ripplinger, Peter van der Meer
1Disease Biophysics Group, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA ; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA ; Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Engineered cardiac tissues from stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes show different electromechanical properties compared to neonatal tissues. This highlights the need for specific performance metrics for stem cell therapies in regenerative medicine.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Regenerative Medicine
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes are promising for regenerative therapies and disease modeling.
- Direct comparison of stem cell-derived versus mature cardiomyocytes is crucial but challenging.
- Physiological metrics of engineered cardiac tissues offer a quantitative comparison method.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the anatomy and physiology of engineered cardiac tissues made from stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and neonatal cardiomyocytes.
- To determine if the developmental state of cardiomyocytes influences the electromechanical function of engineered tissues.
Main Methods:
- Engineered laminar myocardium tissues from mouse embryonic stem cell-derived cardiac progenitors and neonatal mouse ventricular cardiomyocytes.
- In vitro comparison of cytoskeletal architecture, gap junction organization, and electromechanical properties.
- Measurement of contractile stress and longitudinal conduction velocity.
Main Results:
- Tissues exhibited similar cytoskeletal architectures but differences in gap junction organization.
- Stem cell-derived myocardium showed significantly lower contractile stress than neonatal myocardium.
- Neonatal myocardium exhibited a faster longitudinal conduction velocity compared to stem cell-derived myocardium.
Conclusions:
- The developmental state of cardiomyocytes significantly impacts the electromechanical function of engineered cardiac tissues.
- Established performance metrics are necessary for advancing stem cell-based cardiac applications.
- These findings provide critical insights for optimizing stem cell therapies in cardiology.
