Stem Cell Models for Heart Failure

Heart failure is a leading cause of death among the elderly in Saudi Arabia and is considered a global health issue. It is characterized by the heart muscle's inability to pump blood effectively due to damage and death of cardiomyocytes. There is no cure for heart failure, and it is managed through devices or surgery, along with adopting a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, current medications help manage heart muscle dysfunction by relaxing blood vessels to improve blood flow, reducing the workload on the heart, or decreasing fluid retention. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), including embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), offer remarkable potential for clinical and research uses, including cell therapies, disease modeling, and drug discovery. Using 2D and 3D hPSC-based models, we aim to establish an in vitro model that mimics injury observed in heart failure. This model provides a unique opportunity to uncover early molecular changes in heart failure that could lead to next-generation therapies.