Label-free identification and characterization of human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes using second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy

J Biophotonics. 2012 Jan;5(1):57-66. doi: 10.1002/jbio.201100077. Epub 2011 Nov 15.

Abstract

Pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (PSC-CMs) are a potentially unlimited source of cardiomyocytes (CMs) for cardiac transplantation therapies. The establishment of pure PSC-CM populations is important for this application, but is hampered by a lack of CM-specific surface markers suitable for their identification and sorting. Contemporary purification techniques are either non-specific or require genetic modification. We report a second harmonic generation (SHG) signal detectable in PSC-CMs that is attributable to sarcomeric myosin, dependent on PSC-CM maturity, and retained while PSC-CMs are in suspension. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of developing a SHG-activated flow cytometer for the non-invasive purification of PSC-CMs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Separation / methods*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Humans
  • Laser Scanning Cytometry / methods*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / cytology*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism
  • Myosins / metabolism
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Staining and Labeling

Substances

  • Myosins