Activated effector memory T-cells (TEM) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.1 TEM cells express high levels of the voltage-gated potassium channel, Kv1.3, which plays a role in controlling the function of TEM. Inhibition of Kv1.3 reduces the release of pro-inflammatory mediators, inhibits T-cell proliferation and migration to inflamed tissues, and has been shown to ameliorate autoimmune disease symptoms in preclinical animal models. However, small molecule Kv1.3 inhibitors have failed to deliver a successful candidate to the clinic; partly due to a lack of potency and selectivity.
Optical voltage imaging of human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes was used to assess electrophysiological effects of compounds beyond hERG inhibition. Action potential waveform analysis revealed compound-specific and concentration-dependent changes, enabling mechanistic differentiation of multichannel activity and demonstrating a human-relevant approach for translational cardiac safety assessment.
The presence of sensory neuron markers, excitability properties consistent with sensory neurons, and evidence of nociceptor ion channels (using both RNASeq and electrophysiology) provides strong evidence that iCell Sensory Neurons have a robust sensory neuron phenotype suitable for supporting pain discovery programs.