Effect and mechanism of T lymphocytes on human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes via Proteomics

Stem Cell Res Ther. 2024 Jul 29;15(1):236. doi: 10.1186/s13287-024-03791-4.

Abstract

Background: Abnormalities in T cell activation play an important role in the pathogenesis of myocarditis, and persistent T cell responses can lead to autoimmunity and chronic cardiac inflammation, as well as even dilated cardiomyopathy. Although previous work has examined the role of T cells in myocarditis in animal models, the specific mechanism for human cardiomyocytes has not been investigated.

Methods: In this study, we constructed the human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) and established the T cell-mediated cardiac injury model by co-culturing with activated CD4 + T or CD8 + T cells that were isolated from peripheral mononuclear blood to elucidate the pathogenesis of myocardial cell injury caused by inflammation.

Results: By combination of quantitative proteomics with tissue and cell immunofluorescence examination, we established a proteome profile of inflammatory myocardia from hiPSC-CMs with obvious cardiomyocyte injury and increased levels of lactate dehydrogenase content, creatine kinase isoenzyme MB and cardiac troponin. A series of molecular dysfunctions of hiPSC-CMs was observed and indicated that CD4 + cells could produce direct cardiomyocyte injury by activating the NOD-like receptor signals pathway.

Conclusions: The data presented in our study established a proteome map of inflammatory myocardial based on hiPSC-CMs injury model. These results can provide guidance in the discovery of improved clinical treatments for myocarditis.

Keywords: Myocarditis; Proteomics; T lymphocytes; hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes.

MeSH terms

  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Humans
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells* / cytology
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells* / metabolism
  • Myocarditis / metabolism
  • Myocytes, Cardiac* / cytology
  • Myocytes, Cardiac* / metabolism
  • Proteome / metabolism
  • Proteomics* / methods
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism

Substances

  • Proteome