Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes Provide In Vivo Biological Pacemaker Function

Although multiple approaches have been used to create biological pacemakers in animal models, induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) have not been investigated for this purpose. We now report pacemaker function of iPSC-CMs in a canine model.

Embryoid bodies were derived from human keratinocytes, their action potential characteristics determined, and their gene expression profiles and markers of differentiation identified. Atrioventricular blocked dogs were immunosuppressed, instrumented with VVI pacemakers, and injected subepicardially into the anterobasal left ventricle with 40 to 75 rhythmically contracting embryoid bodies (totaling 1.3-2×10⁶ cells). ECG and 24-hour Holter monitoring were performed biweekly. After 4 to 13 weeks, epinephrine (1 μg kg^-1 min^-1) was infused, and the heart removed for histological or electrophysiological study. iPSC-CMs largely lost the markers of pluripotency, became positive for cardiac-specific markers. and manifested I_f-dependent automaticity. Epicardial pacing of the injection site identified matching beats arising from that site by week 1 after implantation. By week 4, 20% of beats were electronically paced, 60% to 80% of beats were matching, and mean and maximal biological pacemaker rates were 45 and 75 beats per minute. Maximum night and day rates of matching beats were 53±6.9 and 69±10.4 beats per minute, respectively, at 4 weeks. Epinephrine increased rate of matching beats from 35±4.3 to 65±4.0 beats per minute. Incubation of embryoid bodies with the vital dye, Dil, revealed the persistence of injected cells at the site of administration.

iPSC-CMs can integrate into host myocardium and create a biological pacemaker. Although this is a promising development, rate and rhythm of the iPSC-CMs pacemakers remain to be optimized.