Review Article

De Novo Human Cardiac Myocytes for Medical Research: Promises and Challenges

Table 1

Strategies to promote cardiomyocyte maturation.

StrategiesApproachesFindingsReferencesPros/cons

Prolonged cell culture3-month cultureIncreased and [37] Simple protocol but time-consuming
30-day cultureIncreased conduction velocity[38]
80–120-day cultureMore adult-like morphology and subcellular structure[39]

Electrical stimulation3–6 Hz pacing in 3D cultured hESC-CMsAdult-like structure, calcium handling and electrical properties[40]Requires special equipment and optimization of stimulation protocol  
1 Hz in monolayer cultureProlonged action potential, but no effects on resting membrane potential[41]
2 Hz in 3D tissueIncreased contractile force[42]

Mechanical stretchCyclic stretchIncreased cell size, better sarcomere structure[43]Requires special equipment and optimization of stimulation protocol   
Cyclic stretchCell elongation, increased connexin expression, more mature calcium handling[44]

Adrenergic receptor stimulationPhenylephrine, 48 hIncreased cell size, better sarcomere structure[43]Simple protocol, easy to apply

Thyroid hormone stimulationmESC-CMs: T3 for 7 daysAdult-like action potential profile and calcium handing[46] Simple protocol, easy to apply
hiPSC-CMs: T3 for 7 daysIncreased contractile force and faster calcium transient kinetics[47]

MicroRNA overexpressionmiR-1Hyperpolarized resting , faster Ca2+ transient kinetics[48]Requires introduction of foreign substance into cells