Cardiomyocytes derived from human pluripotent stem cells are poised to transform heart disease treatment. However, current methods to produce stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes result in a mixture of cardiac phenotypes that is neither well controlled nor completely understood. Before safe and effective cardiac cell therapies can transition from the lab to the clinic, the consequences of phenotype heterogeneity need to be further studied. Improved genetic tools to label, track, and isolate specific cell types from heterogeneous differentiating populations are needed to understand the timing and identity of the signals that control stem cell differentiation. Traditional genetic manipulation methods do not translate well to human pluripotent cells. While viral methods have been useful, they are limited by random copy number and insertion site(s), insertional mutagenesis, transgene or endogenous gene silencing, and limited transgene capacity. To overcome these drawbacks, we used zinc finger nuclease gene targeting technology to create a novel line of "stoplight" human embryonic stem cells. "Stoplight" cells can be used to permanently mark and purify a subpopulation of differentiating cells based on the activation of a user-specified genetic promoter. We isolated near-homogenous populations of fluorescently marked undifferentiated cells and used the putative pan-striated muscle MCK/CK7 promoter to isolate a nearly homogeneous population of stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes using the "stoplight" cell line. Next, we used the "stoplight" cells to isolate and characterize two subpopulations of stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes that activate either the chicken GATA6 or MLC2v promoter during differentiation. We measured the automaticity, beating rate, action potentials, net ion currents and immunophenotype of these two populations and demonstrate they are distinct from each other. Our data suggest the populations represent putative early stage AV nodal (cGATA6) or ventricular (MLC2v) cardiomyocytes. Characterization of the bulk automaticity and beating rates of purified cGATA6 and MLC2v cardiomyocyte aggregates revealed significant differences that highlight the influence of subtype purity on bulk electrical behavior. Aggregates of cGATA6 cells beat significantly faster and maintained automaticity better than aggregates of MLC2v or admixed cardiomyocytes. In the past, stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte subtypes could only be studied as single cells; our data suggest the "stoplight" cell line is an ideal platform to study stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte subtypes and highlight the importance of subtype purity in bulk automaticity. As a whole, these studies highlight the importance of selecting subpopulations of differentiating cells. Genetically modified cells, such as the "stoplight" cell line, are a crucial stepping-stone to finding the signaling molecules and/or cell surface markers that will translate these subpopulations to clinical use. Safe cardiac cell therapies demand a detailed understanding of the automaticity of transplanted cells. Subtype purity has a dramatic effect on bulk automaticity and will be a critically important consideration in future therapeutics.

This volume covers all aspects of embryonic stem cell differentiation, including mouse embryonic stem cells, mouse embryonic germ cells, monkey and human embryonic stem cells, and gene discovery.* Early commitment steps and generation of chimeric mice* Differentiation to mesoderm derivatives* Gene discovery by manipulation of mouse embryonic stem cells

Heart disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. For the last few decades, the heart transplantation is the only feasible method to save people's lives. However, it is severely hindered by the limited availability of donor organs. To this end, transplantation of embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived cardiomyocytes may provide an attractive alternative to current treatments of heart failure. But this application is limited by an effective large-scale cell production and high yield of differentiated cells. So the goal of this research was to produce a scalable bioprocess for production and selection of cardiomyocytes from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Experiments on hESCs differentiation toward cardiac lineage on tissue culture dishes, in alginate-PLL (PLL) microcapsules and on microcarriers in stirred suspension bioreactor were studied.^After encapsulation, cells proliferated faster in alginate-PLL microcapsules than in alginate micropaticles, which is due to the more free liquid culture microenvironment in microcapsules than in porous solid alginate matrix in microparticles. However, after two weeks expansion and differentiation, the hESCs-derived cells meet the requirement of cardiomyocytes, including expression of genes, proteins and exhibition of functional assays. About 40-50% of mixed population was positive for NKX2.5, GATA4 probed by flow cytometry. Next I developed a method for directing the commitment of hESCs from monolayers to cardiac muscle cells with developmentally relevant factors avoiding fetal bovine serum (FBS). Human ESCs were guided through the mesendoderm, mesoderm, early cardiac and cardiac stages in ~15-20 days. The cells expressed stage-specific markers during their transition.^The hESC-derived cardiomyocyte-like cells were also characterized by quantitative PCR, immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry for expression of heart muscle-specific genes and proteins. Under appropriate conditions, the cells formed clusters exhibiting contractile activity. The differentiation strategy was also successfully applied in stirred suspension bioreactor with microcarriers. The purification of fully differentiated cells from heterogeneous population was achieved by Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) from a genetically modified hESC cell line carrying a GFP protein driven by cardiac specific Atrial Natriuretic Factor (ANF) promoter. Generated human embryonic stem cell line remains pluoripotency to differentiation to three germ layers and allows sufficient selection of cardiac muscle cells.^Combination of large quantities of cells from bioreactor and selection of pure cardiac population facilitates the transplantation of cardiomyocytes derived from embryonic stem cells for heart disease in the future. It is first report the expression of Reg gene family in both human and mouse ESCs. More importantly, this expression was modulated by the activation of Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway with Wnt activators. The function of Reg1 protein in mouse model is believed to be involved in the differentiation toward definitive endoderm.

​This book reviews the latest biotechnological advances with pluripotent stem cells, exploring their application in tissue engineering and medicinal chemistry. Chapters from expert contributors cover topics such as the production of transgene-free induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), expansion, controlled differentiation and programming of pluripotent stem cells, and their genetic instability. Particular attention is given to the application of the pluripotent stem cells for vascularision of engineered tissue and for drug screening. This book will appeal to researchers working in regenerative medicine and drug discovery, and to bioengineers and professionals interested in stem cell research.

Development of the heart is a complex process and can lead to serious congenital disease if the process goes awry. This book provides a detailed description of the cell lineages involved in heart development and how their migration and morphogenesis are controlled. It also examines the genetic and environmental bases for congenital heart disease and how model systems are revealing more about the processes involved. Topics covered in this essential volume include: - Anatomy of a Developing Heart - Genetic and Epigenetic Control of Heart Development - Development of the Cardiac Conduction System - Genetic Basis of Human Congenital Heart Disease - In Vivo and In Vitro Genetic Models of Congenital Heart Disease

To achieve cardiac regeneration using pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, researchers must understand iPS cell generation methods, cardiomyocyte differentiation protocols, cardiomyocyte characterization methods, and tissue engineering. This book presents the current status and future possibilities in cardiac regeneration using iPS cells. Written by top r

This volume provides methodologies for ES and iPS cell technology on the study of cardiovascular diseases. Chapters guide readers through protocols on cardiomyocyte generation from pluripotent stem cells, physiological measurements, bioinformatic analysis, gene editing technology, and cell transplantation studies. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Pluripotent Stem-Cell Derived Cardiomyocytes aims to help researchers set up experiments using pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac cells.