Human pluripotent stem cell-derived atrioventricular node-like pacemaker cells exhibit biological conduction bridge properties [hpsc_scRNAseq]

Dysfunction of the pacemaker cells of the AVN leads to atrioventricular block (AV block), a life-threatening condition managed with electronic pacemakers (EPMs). EPMs have drawbacks that could be overcome by a human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived biological conduction bridge (BioCB).

Recent studies demonstrated the differentiation of AVN-like cells from hPSCs, but their conduction properties upon engraftment in vivo remain unexplored. Here we report the generation of AVN-like pacemaker cells (AVNLPCs) from hPSCs using WNT and BMP signaling modulation. These AVNLPCs transcriptionally resemble fetal AVN pacemaker cells, exhibit pacemaker action potentials, and display AVN-like conduction properties.