Sympathetic neurons modulate the beat rate of pluripotent cell-derived cardiomyocytes in vitro

Integr Biol (Camb). 2012 Dec;4(12):1532-9. doi: 10.1039/c2ib20060k.

Abstract

Although stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes have great potential for the therapy of heart failure, it is unclear whether their function after grafting can be controlled by the host sympathetic nervous system, a component of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Here we demonstrate the formation of functional connections between rat sympathetic superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons and pluripotent (P19.CL6) cell-derived cardiomyocytes (P19CMs) in compartmentalized co-culture, achieved using photolithographic microfabrication techniques. Formation of synapses between sympathetic neurons and P19CMs was confirmed by immunostaining with antibodies against β-3 tubulin, synapsin I and cardiac troponin-I. Changes in the beat rate of P19CMs were triggered after electrical stimulation of the co-cultured SCG neurons, and were affected by the pulse frequency of the electrical stimulation. Such changes in the beat rate were prevented when propranolol, a β-adrenoreceptor antagonist, was added to the culture medium. These results suggest that the beat rate of differentiated cardiomyocytes can be modulated by electrical stimulation of connected sympathetic neurons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Cell Communication / physiology
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Coculture Techniques / instrumentation
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / cytology
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / drug effects
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / physiology*
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Propranolol / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Superior Cervical Ganglion / cytology
  • Superior Cervical Ganglion / physiology
  • Synapses / physiology
  • Systems Biology

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
  • Propranolol