Videos

Recent breakthroughs at Niels Voigt Lab (University of Göttingen) have led to the development of novel 2D and 3D in vitro models that closely mimic human atrial fibrillation. These models utilize atrial cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC-aCM) and atrial-engineered human myocardium (aEHM), exhibiting key AF characteristics. This advancement was achieved through an elegant technique of chronic electrical and optical tachypacing, using the ultrafast light-gated channelrhodopsin variant f-Chrimson. The transition to a more practical application of these findings was facilitated by the use of the high-throughput automated patch-clamp system SyncroPatch 384. This system allowed the authors to record action potentials as well as L-type calcium, sodium, and inward-rectifier potassium currents in iPSC-aCMs.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common clinically reported arrhythmia. It is associated with electrophysiological and structural alterations that promote the worsening of the disease. The limited longevity of human cardiac samples ex vivo has historically restricted mechanistic investigation into these remodeling processes and therefore hampers the development of new antiarrhythmic therapies. We aim to assess if classical AF-associated remodeling events can be elicited in atrial subtype-specific induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CM) and atrial engineered human myocardium (EHM).

The new technology platform combines high-throughput recordings of cellular electrophysiology of isolated cardiomyocytes and neurons and their optical stimulation with light.

Prof. Dr. Niels Voigt interview Dr Sadoshima.