Decreased intercellular coupling improves the function of cardiac pacemakers derived from mouse embryonic stem cells.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine if embryonic stem cell derived cardiomyocyte aggregates (ESdCs) can act as pacemakers in spontaneously active cardiomyocyte preparations when their connexin isoform expression is tuned toward a more sinus nodal phenotype. Using microelectrode array recordings (MEAs), we demonstrate that mouse ESdCs establish electrical coupling with spontaneously active cardiomyocyte preparations (HL-1 monolayer) and obtain pacemaker dominance. WT- and Cx43(-/-)-ESdCs comparably established intercellular coupling with cardiac host tissue (Cx43(-/-): 86% vs. WT: 91%). Although both aggregates had a 100% success rate in pacing quiescent cardiac preparations, Cx43(-/-)-ESdCs had an increased likelihood of gaining pacemaker dominance (Cx43(-/-): 40% vs. WT: 13%) in sponta

SUBMITTER: Fahrenbach JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2598737 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature