Autonomous beating rate adaptation in human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes
George Eng1,2, Benjamin W Lee1,2, Lev Protas3
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA.
Nature Communications
|January 20, 2016
Summary
Electrical conditioning of human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes promotes maturation and rate adaptation. This process enhances connexin expression and automaticity, offering potential for heart regeneration and arrhythmia reduction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hCMs) are immature, limiting their use in research and therapy.
- Their integration with the heart's electromechanical environment is crucial for therapeutic success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if biomimetic electrical signals can promote maturation of hCMs.
- To determine the effects of electrical conditioning on cardiomyocyte automaticity and connexin expression.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems.
- Applying electrical conditioning to hCMs.
- Assessing cardiomyocyte maturation, automaticity, and connexin expression.
Main Results:
- Electrical conditioning in 3D culture promoted hCM maturation.
- Conditioned hCMs exhibited altered automaticity and enhanced connexin expression.
- Cardiomyocytes demonstrated long-lasting, transferable rate-adaptive behavior to stimulation frequency, involving hERG expression.
Conclusions:
- Electrical conditioning is a viable strategy to enhance hCM maturation and establish automaticity.
- This approach has significant implications for cell-based therapies aimed at reducing arrhythmias in cardiac regeneration.
