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Cellular Reprogramming Approaches to Engineer Cardiac Pacemakers

  • Regenerative Medicine (SM Wu, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The goal of this paper is to review present knowledge regarding biological pacemakers created by somatic reprogramming as a platform for mechanistic and metabolic understanding of the rare subpopulation of pacemaker cells, with the ultimate goal of creating biological alternatives to electronic pacing devices.

Recent Findings

Somatic reprogramming of cardiomyocytes by reexpression of embryonic transcription factor T-box 18 (TBX18) converts them into pacemaker-like. Recent studies take advantage of this model to gain insight into the electromechanical, metabolic, and architectural intricacies of the cardiac pacemaker cell across various models, including a surgical model of complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) in adult rats.

Summary

The studies reviewed here reinforce the potential utility of TBX18-induced pacemaker myocytes (iPMS) as a minimally invasive treatment for heart block. Several challenges which must be overcome to develop a viable therapeutic intervention based on these observations are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Emory University School of Medicine, 201 Dowman Dr, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Angel Xiao

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, HSRB E-184, 1760 Haygood Drive, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Hee Cheol Cho

  3. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, HSRB E-184, 1760 Haygood Drive, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Hee Cheol Cho

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  1. Angel Xiao
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Correspondence to Hee Cheol Cho.

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Conflict of Interest

Angel Xiao declares no conflict of interest. Hee Cheol Cho has a patent US Patent Number 14/357,195 issued.

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Xiao, A., Cho, H.C. Cellular Reprogramming Approaches to Engineer Cardiac Pacemakers. Curr Cardiol Rep 22, 29 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-020-01281-6

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