Scientists at Université de Montréal and its affiliated Centre de recherche Azrieli du CHU Sainte-Justine have made a groundbreaking discovery in cardiovascular research. They've developed a functional, three-dimensional heart tissue that can beat autonomously in a lab setting, marking a significant advancement in modeling human cardiac diseases and preclinical drug testing.
The heart tissue is engineered using 3D bioprinting with a bio-ink developed in the laboratory of Professor Houman Savoji. This bio-ink is made from patient-harvested stem cells, allowing for personalized human heart models. An initial version of this technology was previously publicized in a study, showcasing its potential for precision treatments.
The recent study introduces a major innovation: the direct integration of ultra-soft, biocompatible, and fluorescent mechanical sensors within the heart tissue. These sensors enable precise measurements of contractile forces at both the cellular and tissue levels using non-destructive optical methods. This approach surpasses existing 'heart-on-a-chip' platforms by providing high-resolution, real-time mechanical data, closely mimicking the complexity of the human myocardium.
Researchers also measured calcium activity, visualizing calcium waves that trigger each heartbeat in real-time. They further demonstrated that the 'hearts on a chip' respond to drugs like real cardiac tissues, confirming the model's sensitivity for pharmacological screening.
The team is now focused on developing models for cardiovascular diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy and certain arrhythmias. By comparing tissues derived from patients with these conditions to healthy tissues, they aim to advance our understanding of these diseases and develop personalized treatments.
This technology has the potential to revolutionize preclinical research and precision health, allowing for the modeling of various cardiac disorders and the precise assessment of therapies. As first author Ali Mousavi notes, this breakthrough brings us closer to true precision health, enabling the identification of the most effective medication for each individual before treatment begins.
