Stem cell injections into the heart are actively being pursued as a potential therapy for myocardial infarction and heart failure. While the ongoing trials with adult-derived stem cells show moderate clinical benefits, significant progress in the field is expected to arise from the use of cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. Despite great promise, eventual clinical use of pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes faces a number of challenges that need to be resolved including key issues with inadequate cell maturation, phenotypic heterogeneity, arrhythmogenesis, low viability after implantation, and scale-up. Therefore, in this project we aim to establish a novel approach for cardiac cell and gene therapy that does not rely on the use of stem cells. Instead we propose to employ in vitro or in situ genetic engineering of fibroblasts into electrically active cells with customizable electrical phenotype that can couple with surrounding cardiomyocytes and improve their electrical and contractile function. Specifically, in Aim 1 we will utilize minimum st of genetic manipulations to rapidly and efficiently convert adult human fibroblasts into a readily expandable and homogeneous source of excitable cells that autonomously fire and conduct action potentials.
In Aim 2, engineered fibroblasts with select electrophysiological phenotypes will be characterized for their functional interactions with neonatal rat cardiomyocytes in well-controlled in vitro co- culture systems.
In Aim 3, we will establish if contractile function of infarcted rat hearts can be improved by implantation of engineered excitable fibroblasts or retroviral conversion of endogenous fibroblasts into electrically active cells. In addition to abov experimental studies, we will utilize computer simulations to facilitate genetic engineering of excitable cells and enhance mechanistic understanding of their functional interactions with native cardiomyocytes in vitro and in vivo. We believe that the proposed genetic and tissue engineering approach will provide strong foundation for the future experimental and clinical use of engineered fibroblasts in cell- and gene-based therapies for cardiac infarction and arrhythmias.

Public Health Relevance

This project aims to develop and validate a new bioengineering approach for treatment of myocardial infarction and heart failure whereby genetic engineering techniques are utilized to rapidly and efficiently convert unexcitable primary fibroblasts into electrically excitable and actively conducting cells. Transplantation of tissue-engineered patches made of engineered fibroblasts and gene therapy targeted to endogenous fibroblasts will be explored for treatment of post-infarction heart disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL126524-04
Application #
9689498
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Lee, Albert
Project Start
2016-05-15
Project End
2021-04-30
Budget Start
2019-05-01
Budget End
2021-04-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Duke University
Department
Biomedical Engineering
Type
Biomed Engr/Col Engr/Engr Sta
DUNS #
044387793
City
Durham
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27705
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Gokhale, Tanmay A; Medvescek, Eli; Henriquez, Craig S (2017) Modeling dynamics in diseased cardiac tissue: Impact of model choice. Chaos 27:093909
Bassat, Elad; Mutlak, Yara Eid; Genzelinakh, Alex et al. (2017) The extracellular matrix protein agrin promotes heart regeneration in mice. Nature 547:179-184

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