A high-throughput analysis of novel anti-fibrotics in human adult cardiac fibroblasts.

Journal: Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
Published Date:

Abstract

Myocardial fibrosis, a hallmark of heart failure (HF), contributes to disease progression and mortality by impairing cardiac function. Despite the identification of potential anti-fibrotic molecules, there is a lack of effective pharmacological interventions for cardiac fibrosis due to poor translational relevance and limited clinical success. In vitro culture models using human cardiac fibroblasts (hCF) provide a cost-effective and scalable approach for high-throughput drug screening, particularly when coupled with artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted imaging technologies. In this study, we developed a novel high-throughput 2D screening platform to identify new anti-fibrotic compounds targeting hCF. Using this approach, we have successfully identified novel molecules with potential anti-fibrotic activity, offering new therapeutic avenues for cardiac fibrosis and other fibrotic disorders.

Authors

  • Rita N Gomes
    i3S - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
  • Maria Cardona-Timoner
    i3S - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
  • Elsa D Silva
    i3S - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
  • António Pombinho
    i3S - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
  • Diana S Nascimento
    i3S - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: dsn@i3S.up.pt.