Stem cell derived cardiomyocytes were analyzed using automated patch clamp
systems from Nanion, a German
Private Limited Company and was founded in 2002 as a spinoff from the Center
for Nanoscience (CeNS) of the University of Munich, the Patchliner and the Port-a-Patch
to validate ion channel composition, the presence of action potentials and the
effect of compounds on cardiac ion channels.
Stem cell derived cardiomyocytes have tremendous potential for cardiac safety
testing of drug
candidates. By offering an authentic cellular environment they are closer to
the actual physiological
situation compared to cell lines with over-expressed ion channels. Axiogenesis
is a provider of pure
mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell derived cardiomyocytes (Cor.At®), which now
have been evaluated
with Nanion's automated patch clamp platforms, the Port-a-Patch and the
Patchliner. Expected
currents were obtained (K, Ca, Na) under voltage clamp conditions, as well as
action potentials
recorded in current clamp mode. Effects on action potentials of compounds with
known effect on
cardiac channels were successfully investigated using Nanion's platforms.
Ralf Kettenhofen, Senior Scientist at Axiogenesis, Cologne, Germany, says:
“Nanion's enabling products allow for a wide range of experiments
including current clamp recordings
of action potentials from our Cor.At® cardiomyocytes. The possibility for
not only high quality voltage
clamp recordings, but also action potentials is a truly unique feature. Such
recordings reflect the total
effect of drug action on the cardiac ion channel ensemble rather than effects
on individual ion
channel species. This is important for investigations of compounds exhibiting
chronotropic or arrhythmic
effects by either direct action on ion channels or humoral regulation of eg.
G-protein coupled receptor
agonists.”
Niels Fertig, CEO of Nanion Technologies continues:
“The Cor.At® ES cell derived cardiomyocytes in combination with voltage
and current clamp
recordings provide physiologically relevant information about cardiac drug safety.
Our automated
patch clamp platforms are known for their flexibility and versatility, which
is reflected by the combined
voltage- and current clamp measurements used in this study.“
The Patchliner and the Port-a-Patch also support temperature control which
will be used in further
studies of the Cor.At® mouse ES cell derived cardiomyocytes. The Port-a-Patch
and the Patchliner are
the only automated patch clamp platforms on the market supporting current clamp
recordings.
Axiogenesis will present more information about the obtained results at the
Ion Channel Retreat
Meeting in Vancouver, Canada, June 29th - July 1st.