Researchers develop stem cell-derived heart organoid capable of receiving blood

By Kim Joo-heon Posted : November 7, 2022, 17:48 Updated : November 7, 2022, 19:44

[Courtesy of Konkuk University]

SEOUL -- Researchers developed a stem cell-derived heart organoid that simulates the function and shape of the human heart. The miniaturized heart consists of the biological heart's components such as a ventricle and atrium regularly repeats contraction and relaxation. 
 
An organoid is a miniaturized and simplified version of an organ produced in vitro in three dimensions that shows realistic micro-anatomy. Organoids are derived from cells from a tissue, embryonic stem cells, or induced pluripotent stem cells.
 
In collaboration with 3D bio-printing technology developer Clecell, a Konkuk University research team has developed the mini heart which is the size of a two to three-millimeter-wide rice grain using stem cells. The heart organoid voluntarily received blood and maintained the biological heart's main function when it was transplanted under the skin of a mouse.

The simplified heart had similar features to the actual heart such as myocyte and cardiac fibroblasts. Researchers hope their study will become a source of research on genetic heart diseases. 
Kim Joo-heon

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