[2][3][4][5] Human pluripotent stem cells are differentiated into cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) in culture through a milieu containing small-molecule mediators (e.g. cytokines, growth and transcription factors).
[1][2][3][8] This 3D scaffold, along with collagen – a major component of the cardiac extracellular matrix[9] – provides the appropriate conditions to promote cardiomyocyte organization, growth and differentiation.
[1] Analogous to the characteristics of ECTs from animal models,[11][12] hECTs beat spontaneously [1] and reconstitute many fundamental physiological responses of normal heart muscle, such as the Frank-Starling mechanism[1][7] and sensitivity to calcium.
[1] hECTs show dose-dependent responses to certain drugs, such as morphological changes in action potentials due to ion channel blockers [4][13] and modulation of contractile properties by inotropic and lusitropic agents.
[20] As tissue engineering technology advances to overcome current limitations, hECTs are a promising avenue for experimental drug discovery, screening and disease modelling and in vivo repair.