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Zhang H, Sen P, Hamers J, Sittig T, Woestenburg B, Moretti A, Dendorfer A, Merkus D. Retinoic acid modulation guides human-induced pluripotent stem cell differentiation towards left or right ventricle-like cardiomyocytes. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:184. [PMID: 38902843 PMCID: PMC11191368 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03741-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiomyocytes (CMs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) by traditional methods are a mix of atrial and ventricular CMs and many other non-cardiomyocyte cells. Retinoic acid (RA) plays an important role in regulation of the spatiotemporal development of the embryonic heart. METHODS CMs were derived from hiPSC (hi-PCS-CM) using different concentrations of RA (Control without RA, LRA with 0.05μM and HRA with 0.1 μM) between day 3-6 of the differentiation process. Engineered heart tissues (EHTs) were generated by assembling hiPSC-CM at high cell density in a low collagen hydrogel. RESULTS In the HRA group, hiPSC-CMs exhibited highest expression of contractile proteins MYH6, MYH7 and cTnT. The expression of TBX5, NKX2.5 and CORIN, which are marker genes for left ventricular CMs, was also the highest in the HRA group. In terms of EHT, the HRA group displayed the highest contraction force, the lowest beating frequency, and the highest sensitivity to hypoxia and isoprenaline, which means it was functionally more similar to the left ventricle. RNAsequencing revealed that the heightened contractility of EHT within the HRA group can be attributed to the promotion of augmented extracellular matrix strength by RA. CONCLUSION By interfering with the differentiation process of hiPSC with a specific concentration of RA at a specific time, we were able to successfully induce CMs and EHTs with a phenotype similar to that of the left ventricle or right ventricle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengliang Zhang
- Walter Brendel Center for Experimental Medicine (WBex), University Clinic Munich, LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Munich Heart Alliance (MHA), Partner Site Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
- The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan, University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Payel Sen
- Walter Brendel Center for Experimental Medicine (WBex), University Clinic Munich, LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Munich Heart Alliance (MHA), Partner Site Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Interfaculty Center for Endocrine and Cardiovascular Disease Network Modelling and Clinical Transfer (ICONLMU), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jules Hamers
- Walter Brendel Center for Experimental Medicine (WBex), University Clinic Munich, LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Munich Heart Alliance (MHA), Partner Site Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Interfaculty Center for Endocrine and Cardiovascular Disease Network Modelling and Clinical Transfer (ICONLMU), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Theresa Sittig
- Walter Brendel Center for Experimental Medicine (WBex), University Clinic Munich, LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Munich Heart Alliance (MHA), Partner Site Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Interfaculty Center for Endocrine and Cardiovascular Disease Network Modelling and Clinical Transfer (ICONLMU), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Brent Woestenburg
- Walter Brendel Center for Experimental Medicine (WBex), University Clinic Munich, LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Allessandra Moretti
- Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Munich Heart Alliance (MHA), Partner Site Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
- First Department of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Cardiology, Munich, Germany
- Regenerative Medicine in Cardiovascular Diseases, First Department of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Dendorfer
- Walter Brendel Center for Experimental Medicine (WBex), University Clinic Munich, LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Munich Heart Alliance (MHA), Partner Site Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Daphne Merkus
- Walter Brendel Center for Experimental Medicine (WBex), University Clinic Munich, LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany.
- Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Munich Heart Alliance (MHA), Partner Site Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany.
- Interfaculty Center for Endocrine and Cardiovascular Disease Network Modelling and Clinical Transfer (ICONLMU), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
- Division of Experimental Cardiology, Dept of Cardiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Butler K, Ahmed S, Jablonski J, Hookway TA. Engineered Cardiac Microtissue Biomanufacturing Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Epicardial Cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.13.593960. [PMID: 38798424 PMCID: PMC11118268 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.13.593960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Epicardial cells are a crucial component in constructing in vitro 3D tissue models of the human heart, contributing to the ECM environment and the resident mesenchymal cell population. Studying the human epicardium and its development from the proepicardial organ is difficult, but induced pluripotent stem cells can provide a source of human epicardial cells for developmental modeling and for biomanufacturing heterotypic cardiac tissues. This study shows that a robust population of epicardial cells (approx. 87.7% WT1+) can be obtained by small molecule modulation of the Wnt signaling pathway. The population maintains WT1 expression and characteristic epithelial morphology over successive passaging, but increases in size and decreases in cell number, suggesting a limit to their expandability in vitro. Further, low passage number epicardial cells formed into more robust 3D microtissues compared to their higher passage counterparts, suggesting that the ideal time frame for use of these epicardial cells for tissue engineering and modeling purposes is early on in their differentiated state. Additionally, the differentiated epicardial cells displayed two distinct morphologic sub populations with a subset of larger, more migratory cells which led expansion of the epicardial cells across various extracellular matrix environments. When incorporated into a mixed 3D co-culture with cardiomyocytes, epicardial cells promoted greater remodeling and migration without impairing cardiomyocyte function. This study provides an important characterization of stem cell-derived epicardial cells, identifying key characteristics that influence their ability to fabricate consistent engineered cardiac tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirk Butler
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Binghamton University, the State University of New York, Binghamton NY 13902
| | - Saif Ahmed
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Binghamton University, the State University of New York, Binghamton NY 13902
| | - Justin Jablonski
- Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY14627
| | - Tracy A. Hookway
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Binghamton University, the State University of New York, Binghamton NY 13902
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Zhang ZH, Barajas-Martinez H, Jiang H, Huang CX, Antzelevitch C, Xia H, Hu D. Gene and stem cell therapy for inherited cardiac arrhythmias. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 256:108596. [PMID: 38301770 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Inherited cardiac arrhythmias are a group of genetic diseases predisposing to sudden cardiac arrest, mainly resulting from variants in genes encoding cardiac ion channels or proteins involved in their regulation. Currently available therapeutic options (pharmacotherapy, ablative therapy and device-based therapy) can not preclude the occurrence of arrhythmia events and/or provide complete protection. With growing understanding of the genetic background and molecular mechanisms of inherited cardiac arrhythmias, advancing insight of stem cell technology, and development of vectors and delivery strategies, gene therapy and stem cell therapy may be promising approaches for treatment of inherited cardiac arrhythmias. Recent years have witnessed impressive progress in the basic science aspects and there is a clear and urgent need to be translated into the clinical management of arrhythmic events. In this review, we present a succinct overview of gene and cell therapy strategies, and summarize the current status of gene and cell therapy. Finally, we discuss future directions for implementation of gene and cell therapy in the therapy of inherited cardiac arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-He Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, PR China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan, 430060, PR China
| | - Hector Barajas-Martinez
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Lankenau Heart Institute, Wynnwood, PA, 19096, USA; Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, PR China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan, 430060, PR China
| | - Cong-Xin Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, PR China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan, 430060, PR China
| | - Charles Antzelevitch
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Lankenau Heart Institute, Wynnwood, PA, 19096, USA; Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Hao Xia
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, PR China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan, 430060, PR China.
| | - Dan Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, PR China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan, 430060, PR China.
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Zhang W, Wang F, Yin L, Tang Y, Wang X, Huang C. Cadherin-5 facilitated the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells into sinoatrial node-like pacemaker cells by regulating β-catenin. J Cell Physiol 2024; 239:212-226. [PMID: 38149479 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Our study was conducted to investigate whether cadherin-5 (CDH5), a vascular endothelial cell adhesion glycoprotein, could facilitate the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into sinoatrial node-like pacemaker cells (SANLPCs), following previous findings of silk-fibroin hydrogel-induced direct conversion of quiescent cardiomyocytes into pacemaker cells in rats through the activation of CDH5. In this study, the differentiating hiPSCs were treated with CDH5 (40 ng/mL) between Day 5 and 7 during cardiomyocytes differentiation. The findings in the present study demonstrated that CDH5 stimulated the expression of pacemaker-specific markers while suppressing markers associated with working cardiomyocytes, resulting in an increased proportion of SANLPCs among hiPSCs-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) population. Moreover, CDH5 induced typical electrophysiological characteristics resembling cardiac pacemaker cells in hiPSC-CMs. Further mechanistic investigations revealed that the enriched differentiation of hiPSCs into SANLPCs induced by CDH5 was partially reversed by iCRT14, an inhibitor of β-catenin. Therefore, based on the aforementioned findings, it could be inferred that the regulation of β-catenin by CDH5 played a crucial role in promoting the enriched differentiation of hiPSCs into SANLPCs, which presents a novel avenue for the construction of biological pacemakers in forthcoming research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fengyuan Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lin Yin
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanhong Tang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan, China
| | - Congxin Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan, China
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Wang F, Yin L, Zhang W, Tang Y, Wang X, Huang C. The method of sinus node-like pacemaker cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells by BMP and Wnt signaling. Cell Biol Toxicol 2023; 39:2725-2741. [PMID: 36856942 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-023-09797-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
The embryonic development of sinus nodes (SAN) is co-regulated by multiple signaling pathways. Among these, the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and Wnt signaling pathways are involved in the development of SAN. In this study, the effects of BMP and Wnt signaling on the differentiation of SAN-like pacemaker cells (SANLPCs) were investigated. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) were divided into four groups: control, BMP4, CHIR-3, and BMP4 + CHIR (CHIR: a Wnt signaling activator). The samples were tested at day (D) 15 of differentiation. The final protocol for the activation of BMP signaling at D0-D3 and reactivation of Wnt signaling at D5-D7 in the differentiation of hiPSCs were determined. The results showed that the mRNA levels of pacemaker markers (TBX18, SHOX2, TBX3, HCN4, and HCN1) were higher in the BMP4 + CHIR group than in the control group, and working myocardial genes were downregulated. The immunofluorescence assay revealed that the expression of SHOX2 and HCN4 increased in the BMP4 + CHIR group compared to that in the other groups. In addition, the results of patch clamps revealed that a funny current of higher density and typical SAN action potentials were recorded, except in the control group, in which the L-type calcium current was higher in the BMP4 + CHIR group than in the other groups. Finally, the proportion of SANLPCs (cTnT+ NKX2.5-) was further enhanced by the combination of BMP4 and CHIR treatment. In summary, the combination of BMP and Wnt signaling promotes the differentiation of SANLPCs from hiPSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyuan Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Yin
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanhong Tang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Congxin Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China.
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Du R, Bai S, Zhao Y, Ma Y. Efficient generation of TBX3 + atrioventricular conduction-like cardiomyocytes from human pluripotent stem cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 669:143-149. [PMID: 37271026 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.05.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Atrioventricular conduction cardiomyocytes (AVCCs) regulate the rate and rhythm of heart contractions. Dysfunction due to aging or disease can cause atrioventricular (AV) block, interrupting electrical impulses from the atria to the ventricles. Generation of functional atrioventricular conduction like cardiomyocytes (AVCLCs) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) provides a promising approach to repair damaged atrioventricular conduction tissue by cell transplantation. In this study, we put forward the generation of AVCLCs from hPSCs by stage-specific manipulation of the retinoic acid (RA), WNT, and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathways. These cells express AVCC-specific markers, including the transcription factors TBX3, MSX2 and NKX2.5, display functional electrophysiological characteristics and present low conduction velocity (0.07 ± 0.02 m/s). Our findings provide new insights into the understanding of the development of the atrioventricular conduction system and propose a strategy for the treatment of severe atrioventricular conduction block by cell transplantation in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rulong Du
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China; Key Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Shuyun Bai
- Key Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510530, China.
| | - Ya Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Yue Ma
- Key Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; Medical School of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510530, China.
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