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Heart Slices to Model Cardiac Physiology
Moustafa H Meki1,2, Jessica M Miller1,2, Tamer M A Mohamed1,3,4
1Institute of Molecular Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States.
Frontiers in Pharmacology
|February 22, 2021
Summary
New heart slice models maintain adult cardiac tissue function in vitro, addressing limitations in current preclinical drug testing platforms. This technology offers a more accurate and long-term solution for cardiovascular research.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Translational Medicine
- Organoid Technology
Background:
- Translational cardiovascular research is limited by the lack of physiologically relevant preclinical models.
- Conventional myocardial cultures fail to maintain the adult cardiac phenotype long-term.
- There is a critical need for accurate, standardized, and rapid drug testing platforms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current cardiac culture systems.
- To highlight the advantages of heart slice technology for preclinical drug testing.
- To discuss recent advancements in physiologically relevant heart slice culture.
Main Methods:
- Thin (<400 µm) slices of adult ventricular heart tissue are utilized.
- Heart slices are cultured to maintain their native cellular environment.
- Recent studies and advancements in heart slice culture systems are reviewed.
Main Results:
- Heart slices retain the adult cardiac phenotype for extended periods in vitro.
- They maintain a multi-cell type environment crucial for physiological relevance.
- This model overcomes dedifferentiation and maladaptation issues seen in other systems.
Conclusions:
- Heart slice technology presents a significant advancement over conventional myocardial culture systems.
- It offers a promising platform for long-term, accurate, and rapid preclinical drug testing.
- Further development of heart slice systems will enhance their utility in cardiovascular research.
