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In vitro sex-specific function-structure relationship in neonatal rat cardiac monolayers
Mary Tran1,2, Toby Viet Nguyen1,2, Suhani Khandelwal1,2
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697.
Summary
This study introduces an in vitro heart-on-a-chip model using neonatal rat ventricular myocytes to investigate sex differences in cardiac function. The platform reveals sex chromosome-driven variations in cardiac tissue structure and function under controlled conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- In vivo rodent models are limited for studying isolated sex differences in cardiac anisotropic monolayers.
- In vitro platforms provide a controlled environment to dissect sex-specific cardiac mechanisms.
- Understanding sex-based cardiac variations is crucial for personalized medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish and validate an in vitro heart-on-a-chip platform for studying sex differences in cardiac tissue.
- To investigate sex chromosome-driven characteristics in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes.
- To characterize functional and structural sex-based divergences in cardiac monolayers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a heart-on-a-chip platform with primary neonatal rat ventricular myocytes.
- Maintained identical experimental conditions for male and female cells.
- Analyzed self-assembled cardiomyocyte monolayers for morphological and functional differences.
Main Results:
- Neonatal rat ventricular myocytes on the chip exhibited sex chromosome-driven characteristics.
- Controlled conditions revealed morphological differences in the contractile apparatus.
- Confluent monolayers showed sex-driven divergence in structure and function.
Conclusions:
- The in vitro heart-on-a-chip model is a viable platform for studying sex differences in cardiac function.
- Sex chromosomes influence cardiac tissue structure and function in isolated monolayers.
- This model offers a novel approach to investigate sex-based cardiac variations.
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