Cardiac organoid — a promising perspective of preclinical model

• Published in: Stem cell research & therapy Vol. 12; no. 1; pp. 272 - 10
• Main Authors: Zhao, Dandan, Lei, Wei, Hu, Shijun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 06.05.2021; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: 3D culture; Analysis; Arrhythmia; Biomedical materials; Biotechnology; Cardiac organoid; Cardiomyocytes; Cardiovascular diseases; Cell culture; Cell cycle; Collagen; Congestive heart failure; Coronary artery disease; Disease; Gene expression; Heart attack; Heart attacks; Heart disease models; Hydrogels; Metabolism; Morphology; Myocardial infarction; Organoids; Phenotypes; Physiology; Review; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Stem cells; Heart disease models; 3D culture; Cardiac organoid; Stem cells
• ISSN: 1757-6512; 1757-6512
• DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02340-7

Human cardiac organoids (hCOs), three-dimensional (3D) cellular constructs similar to in vivo organ, are new-generation models. To a large extent, a hCO retains the biological characteristics and functions of cells in vivo more accurately than previous models. With the continuous development of biotechnology, the hCO model is becoming increasingly complex and mature. High-fidelity hCOs help us better explore the mysteries of human physiology and integrate phenotypes with living functions into models. Here, we discuss recent advances in the methods of constructing human cardiac organoids and introduce applications of hCOs, especially in modeling cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction, heart failure, genetic cardiac diseases, and arrhythmia. In addition, we propose the prospects for and the limitations of hCOs. In conclusion, a greater understanding of hCOs will provide ways to improve hCO construction and make these models useful for future preclinical studies.