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Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1574-888X
ISSN (Online): 2212-3946

Combination of Functional Cardiomyocytes Derived from Human Stem Cells and a Highly-Efficient Microelectrode Array System: An Ideal Hybrid Model Assay for Drug Development

Author(s): Yasuyuki Asai, Masako Tada, Tomomi G. Otsuji and Norio Nakatsuji

Volume 5, Issue 3, 2010

Page: [227 - 232] Pages: 6

DOI: 10.2174/157488810791824502

Price: $65

Abstract

Human pluripotential stem cells including both embryonic stem cells (hESC) and induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) possess self-renewing potency and pluripotentency and can differentiate into virtually any somatic cell type. These features are a distinct advantage for the generation of specific types of human tissue cells in vitro for continuous use in drug development. Recently, an assay system for drug-induced QT interval prolongation using hESC/hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and microelectrode arrays (MEA) has been developed. Drug-induced QT interval prolongation (DIQTIP) can lead to sudden cardiac death and is a major safety concern for the drug industry. Regulatory authorities such as the US FDA and the European Medicines Agency require in-vitro testing of all drug candidates to identify potential risk of DIQTIP prior to clinical trials. To reduce the risk of DIQTIP, a routine assay system for in vitro electrophysiological properties using cell-based assays is effective and necessary in early phase of drug discovery. This review discusses developments over the last couple of years for a qualified drug testing method and provides some examples of how hESC/hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes are beginning to find a practical use for drug discovery and development.

Keywords: Stem cells, differentiation, cardiomyocytes, electrophysiology, drug test


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