Modeling early human heart development using an iPSC-based 3D bioprinted model of embryonic heart tube

Human heart development depends on tightly coordinated genetic programs and biomechanical cues, yet the underlying cell-microenvironment interactions remain poorly understood because the developing heart is difficult to study in utero and accurate experimental models are lacking. Recent advances in stem cell biology and three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting now allow the construction of human tissue analogues with defined structure and function. Here we show a perfusable 3D bioprinted model of the human embryonic heart tube composed of layered myocardium, cardiac jelly, and endocardium. Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells are cultured under controlled flow conditions, producing constructs with high cell viability, complete lumen endothelialization, progressive myocardial compaction, and coordinated tissue-level contraction. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals that dynamic flow promotes cardiac maturation and lineage specification. This platform provides a human-relevant model to study early heart development, investigate congenital heart disease mechanisms, and evaluate emerging therapeutic strategies.