Design of synthetic microenvironments to promote the maturation of human pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes

J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater. 2021 Jul;109(7):949-960. doi: 10.1002/jbm.b.34759. Epub 2020 Nov 24.

Abstract

Cardiomyocyte like cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC-CMs) have a good application perspective in many fields such as disease modeling, drug screening and clinical treatment. However, these are severely hampered by the fact that hPSC-CMs are immature compared to adult human cardiomyocytes. Therefore, many approaches such as genetic manipulation, biochemical factors supplement, mechanical stress, electrical stimulation and three-dimensional culture have been developed to promote the maturation of hPSC-CMs. Recently, establishing in vitro synthetic artificial microenvironments based on the in vivo development program of cardiomyocytes has achieved much attention due to their inherent properties such as stiffness, plasticity, nanotopography and chemical functionality. In this review, the achievements and deficiency of reported synthetic microenvironments that mainly discussed comprehensive biological, chemical, and physical factors, as well as three-dimensional culture were mainly discussed, which have significance to improve the microenvironment design and accelerate the maturation of hPSC-CMs.

Keywords: cardiomyocyte; human pluripotent stem cells; maturation; synthetic microenvironments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Cellular Reprogramming Techniques*
  • Humans
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / cytology
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism*
  • Stem Cell Niche*