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.