Assistant Professor National Yang-Ming University National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, United States
Abstract: As one of the earliest organs formed during human development, the heart plays an essential physiological role. However, related research relies on animal models due to the difficulty of obtaining human specimens. Differences between species result in specific physiological structures and molecular mechanisms that cannot fully reflect human cardiac development. The use of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived heart organoids allows for the self-assembly of three-dimensional tissues. Compared to animal models or monolayer two-dimensional cells, organoids can better simulate tissue structure and function in vitro. RNA modifications are critical regulatory during embryonic development by controlling RNA biogenesis and are essential in various cellular developmental processes, including embryonic, hematopoietic, reproductive, and neural development. However, research focusing on their role in cardiac development remains unclear. The heart organoids (HO) we established can differentiate into the heart's main cell types, including ventricular and atrial cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. Additionally, HO exhibits contractile function and electrophysiological characteristics, closely resembling the human heart, making it an important platform for developmental research. Furthermore, we found that during different stages of HO development, RNA modifications and the expression of related regulatory proteins undergo dynamic changes. Therefore, this study will investigate the potential roles of RNA modifications in HO development and explore their possible regulatory mechanisms. These findings may provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying human cardiac development and disease.
Funding Source: This project was partially supported by the National Science and Technology Council under the grant NSTC 112-2320-B-A49-049-MY2.
