SARS-CoV-2 infection in cardiovascular disease: Unmet need of stem cell models

Physiol Int. 2022 Sep 5. doi: 10.1556/2060.2022.00010. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

This review aims to summarise new approaches in SARS-CoV-2-related research in cardiology. We provide a head-to-head comparison of models, such as animal research and human pluripotent stem cells, to investigate the pathomechanisms of COVID-19 and find an efficient therapy. In vivo methods were useful for studying systemic processes of the disease; however, due to differences in animal and human biology, the clinical translation of the results remains a complex task. In vitro stem cell research makes cellular events more observable and effective for finding new drugs and therapies for COVID-19, including the use of stem cells. Furthermore, multicellular 3D organoids even make it possible to observe the effects of drugs to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection in human organ models.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; cardiovascular; disease modelling; drug development; human pluripotent stem cells; personalised medicine.

Publication types

  • Review