Scientists have developed a special nutrient solution that ensures the stable conversion of dog stem cells into heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes). The results of this work are published in the journal Stem Cell Reports. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which have the ability to transform into any cell type in the body, are usually obtained from samples taken from the skin, urine, or blood. Since dogs and humans share common diseases, iPSCs derived from dogs may find application in regenerative medicine and serve as a model for developing new pharmaceutical drugs. Working with iPSCs is challenging due to their high sensitivity to culture conditions. Until specialization, iPSCs are maintained in an undifferentiated state. Specialized substrates containing nutrients, growth activators, and signaling molecules are used for their growth. The precise selection of medium components is complex, often leading to the loss of pluripotency or off-target transformation of the cells. A team of scientists led by Professor Shingo Hatoya from Osaka University’s Veterinary School has created a new culture medium called AR medium. It enables the transformation of dog iPSCs specifically into cardiomyocytes. Using the AR medium, researchers were able to provide the necessary conditions for the proliferation of iPSCs in their undifferentiated form. Next, protocols were developed to promote their transition to heart tissue. As a result, cells exhibiting cardiomyocyte functionality were obtained. The AR medium opens up prospects for using these cells to study the effect of new substances on heart rhythm, contractility, and for safety screening before testing in humans. Another promising direction is the conversion of iPSCs into other cell types to search for molecules for the therapy of severe ailments, ranging from liver diseases to nervous system disorders.
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