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Updated: Apr 25, 2026
In Vitro Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Functional Cardiomyocyte-like Cells
Published on: August 9, 2017
Functional Characterization of Human Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes
Glenn E Kirsch1, Carlos A Obejero-Paz1, Andrew Bruening-Wright1
1ChanTest Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio USA.
Insights
Early cardiac toxicity testing using human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (SC-hCM) helps predict drug risks. This method uses SC-hCM electrophysiology to assess potential cardiac dangers, improving drug safety.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular pharmacology
- Stem cell biology
- Drug safety assessment
Background:
- Cardiac toxicity is a major cause of drug attrition and market withdrawal.
- Accurate early-stage cardiac risk assessment is crucial for drug development.
- Primary human cardiomyocytes are limited, necessitating alternative models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe methods for assessing cardiac risk using human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (SC-hCM).
- To highlight the utility of SC-hCM electrophysiology in early drug safety evaluation.
- To provide techniques for recording key electrophysiological parameters.
Main Methods:
- Recording of individual ion currents (sodium, calcium, potassium) in SC-hCM.
- Measurement of single-cell action potentials.
- Impedance recordings from contracting SC-hCM syncytia.
Main Results:
- Established techniques for detailed electrophysiological analysis of SC-hCM.
- Demonstrated the feasibility of assessing cardiac ion channel function and action potentials.
- Enabled evaluation of cardiac network activity through impedance measurements.
Conclusions:
- Human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (SC-hCM) provide a viable model for early cardiac safety testing.
- SC-hCM electrophysiology is a valuable tool for predicting drug-induced cardiotoxicity.
- These methods aid in mitigating cardiac risks during drug discovery and development.
Abstract:
Cardiac toxicity is a leading contributor to late-stage attrition in the drug discovery process and to withdrawal of approved from the market. In vitro assays that enable earlier and more accurate testing for cardiac risk provide early stage predictive indicators that aid in mitigating risk. Human cardiomyocytes, the most relevant subjects for early stage testing, are severely limited in supply. But human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (SC-hCM) are readily available from commercial sources and are increasingly used in academic research, drug discovery and safety pharmacology. As a result, SC-hCM electrophysiology has become a valuable tool to assess cardiac risk associated with drugs. This unit describes techniques for recording individual currents carried by sodium, calcium and potassium ions, as well as single cell action potentials, and impedance recordings from contracting syncytia of thousands of interconnected cells.
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