Cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells as models for normal and diseased cardiac electrophysiology and contractility

Since the first description of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs), these cells have garnered tremendous interest for their potential use in patient-specific analysis and therapy. Additionally, hiPSC-CMs can be derived from donor cells from patients with specific cardiac disorders, enabling in vitro human disease models for mechanistic study and therapeutic drug assessment. However, a full understanding of their electrophysiological and contractile function is necessary before this potential can be realized. Here, we review this emerging field from a functional perspective, with particular emphasis on beating rate, action potential, ionic currents, multicellular conduction, calcium handling and contraction. We further review extant hiPSC-CM disease models that recapitulate genetic myocardial disease. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.