Cardiac myocytes were differentiated in vitro from cultured embryonic stem cells derived from mice. The cultured cells displayed spontaneous beating. Like adult pacemaker cells, the embryonic stem cell derived cells were found to display wave-like spontaneous calcium oscillations which entrain with whole-cell action potentials by means of sodium-calcium exchange. As in sino-atrial node cells, these oscillations were promoted by elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP. This suggests that cells engineered to have constitutively high cAMP levels could form robust pacemakers.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Investigator-Initiated Intramural Research Projects (ZIA)
Project #
1ZIAAG000242-03
Application #
8156758
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$391,737
Indirect Cost
Name
National Institute on Aging
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
Zip Code