3D cardiac microtissue remodelling model

3D cardiac microtissues (MTs), composed of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and human cardiac fibroblasts (HCF), provides an organoid human-based cellular platform that is free of scaffold and necrosis, and recapitulates vital cardiac functionality mimicking contractility and electrophysiological responses. We aim to establish 3D cardiac models of fibrosis and microvasculopathy with further evaluation of their characteristic and functions. We are interested in not only 2-cell type designed 3D cardiac MTs composed of human iPSCs and single patient-derived HCF but additionally with SSc patients-derived endothelial primary cells to study the effect of pathological remodelling in 3D model on the endothelial dysfunction. This methodology enables the culturing of a large array of differently composed MTs with interconnected vascular networks for any remodelling study, for biological studies and applications such as drug development. Cell-to-cell integration in 3D in vitro model offers an excellent tool to study cell/tissue/organ physiology and pathology in SSc.

Collaboration

Dr. I. Agarkova and Dr. O. Frey from InSphero, Schlieren, and with Dr. C. Zuppinger from Cardiology at the University Hospital Inselspital in Bern.

Funding

Swiss Heart Foundation