Biomaterial-induced conversion of quiescent cardiomyocytes into pacemaker cells in rats

Yu Feng Hu, An Sheng Lee, Shih Lin Chang, Shien Fong Lin, Ching Hui Weng, Hsin Yu Lo, Pei Chun Chou, Yung Nan Tsai, Yen Ling Sung, Chien Chang Chen, Ruey Bing Yang, Yuh Charn Lin, Terry B.J. Kuo, Cheng Han Wu, Jin Dian Liu, Tze Wen Chung, Shih Ann Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Pacemaker cells can be differentiated from stem cells or transdifferentiated from quiescent mature cardiac cells via genetic manipulation. Here we show that the exposure of rat quiescent ventricular cardiomyocytes to a silk-fibroin hydrogel activates the direct conversion of the quiescent cardiomyocytes to pacemaker cardiomyocytes by inducing the ectopic expression of the vascular endothelial cell-adhesion glycoprotein cadherin. The silk-fibroin-induced pacemaker cells exhibited functional and morphological features of genuine sinoatrial-node cardiomyocytes in vitro, and pacemaker cells generated via the injection of silk fibroin in the left ventricles of rats functioned as a surrogate in situ sinoatrial node. Biomaterials with suitable surface structure, mechanics and biochemistry could facilitate the scalable production of biological pacemakers for human use.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)421-434
Number of pages14
JournalNature Biomedical Engineering
Volume6
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2022

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Bioengineering
  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Computer Science Applications

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Biomaterial-induced conversion of quiescent cardiomyocytes into pacemaker cells in rats'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this