Mini-model of myocardial hypertrophy
Scottish researchers from Abertay University, working under the guidance of Professor Nikolai Zhelev, have grown miniature copies of human hearts from stem cells, the diameter of which does not exceed 1 mm. These tiny models of a human organ contract independently at a frequency of 30 times per minute. The purpose of their creation is to develop methods for the treatment of myocardial hypertrophy.
A miniature shrinking copy of the human heart
Myocardial hypertrophy may be hereditary, may accompany diseases such as diabetes, and may develop due to excessive physical exertion. In all cases, thickening and compaction of the muscular wall of the heart occurs, which leads to a decrease in its contractility and, accordingly, a deterioration in the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the body. Some patients with myocardial hypertrophy have serious cardiac arrhythmias, which are one of the main causes of sudden death of young people. At the same time, existing methods of treatment can only weaken the symptoms of the disease.
Professor Zhelev and his colleagues believe that the model they have developed can help solve this problem. They have already conducted a large series of experiments in which they labeled various compounds with specific molecules and with the help of biosensors observed their movements inside miniature hearts. Some of the tested compounds had adverse effects, such as an increase in the frequency of contractions or, conversely, cardiac arrest.
The researchers also identified a number of molecules that trigger the process of myocardial hypertrophy, and analyzed the effectiveness of drugs that potentially have the ability to block the corresponding mechanisms. Most of these experimental drugs have not passed clinical trials. However, one of them, developed by the authors as part of an earlier study, has already demonstrated very promising results in a phase 2 clinical trial involving cancer patients.
Hypertrophied cardiomyocyte
According to Zhelev, cancer rarely affects the cells of the heart muscle, but scientists have noticed that in the hypertrophied myocardium certain molecules behave in the same way as in malignant cells. This led them to the idea of testing a new drug on a miniature model of a hypertrophied heart. The results met all expectations.
Hypertrophied cardiomyitis, which is marked in green
target molecules of the experimental drug.
The authors note that a huge amount of work still needs to be done before the introduction of a new drug into clinical practice. However, they hope that in the future they will be able to develop an effective method to combat myocardial hypertrophy.
Four cardiomyocytes at the final stage of hypertrophy.
To take his research to a new level, Professor Zhelev began collaborating with Professor Jim Bown, a systems biologist who uses computer models to visualize cell behavior. The purpose of their joint work is to create interactive animated computer models that will allow visualizing the effects of different dosages and combinations of drugs on the growth and development of malignant and hypertrophied cells without laboratory experiments.
The results of the work were presented at the 5th World Congress on Biotechnology, held on June 25-27 in Valencia, Spain.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of Abertay University:
Scientists grow tiny beating human hearts to give them heart disease and find a cure.
01.07.2014