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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Isolating Mesangiogenic Progenitor Cells (MPCs) from Human Bone Marrow
Published on: July 15, 2016
Identification of cardiomyogenic lineage markers in untreated human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells
A Bayes-Genis1, S Roura, C Soler-Botija
1Laboratory of Cell Physiology, Department of Cardiology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain. abayesgenis@santpau.es
Insights
Human adult mesenchymal stem cells spontaneously express cardiac markers in vitro. These cells show potential for cardiac regeneration and may transdifferentiate into cardiomyocytes within the appropriate myocardial environment.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Stem Cell Biology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- The human heart's limited self-repair capacity is being challenged by new findings.
- Both cardiac and non-cardiac stem cells demonstrate potential for cardiac regeneration.
- This study investigates cardiomyogenic markers in untreated mesenchymal stem cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if adult human mesenchymal stem cells express cardiomyogenic lineage markers in vitro.
- To assess the spontaneous expression of cardiac proteins and transcription factors in these cells.
- To evaluate the potential of mesenchymal stem cells for cardiac repair.
Main Methods:
- Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from human iliac crest marrow aspirates.
- Flow cytometry was used to characterize cell surface markers (CD105, CD166, CD29, CD44, CD14, CD34).
- Cardiac proteins (cardiac troponin I, alpha-actinin, beta-MyHC, connexin-43, SERCA-2) and GATA-4 were assessed for cardiomyogenic potential.
Main Results:
- Mesenchymal stem cells expressed CD105, CD166, and CD29, while being negative for CD34, CD14, and CD45.
- In the absence of external stimuli, these cells spontaneously expressed connexin-43, alpha-actinin, and GATA-4.
- Cells were negative for SERCA-2, cardiac troponin I, and beta-MyHC under basal conditions.
Conclusions:
- Human adult mesenchymal stem cells exhibit spontaneous markers of a cardiac phenotype in vitro.
- These cells possess the potential to transdifferentiate into mature cardiomyocytes.
- The appropriate myocardial environment may facilitate mesenchymal stem cell-based cardiac regeneration.
Background:
Recent reports refute the classic paradigm by which human heart is unable to repair itself following disease or injury. Cardiac and noncardiac stem cells with cardiac regeneration potential have been documented. We studied whether untreated mesenchymal stem cells express markers of cardiomyogenic lineage in vitro.
Methods:
Mesenchymal stem cells were obtained from human iliac crest marrow aspirates. Cells were isolated and characterized using flow cytometry by surface expression of CD105, CD166, CD29, CD44, CD14, and CD34. To evaluate their cardiomyogenic potential, presence of cardiac proteins (cardiac troponin I, sarcomeric alpha-actinin, beta myosin heavy chain (beta-MyHC), connexin-43, and SERCA-2), and transcription factors (GATA-4) were assessed.
Results:
Mesenchymal stem cells expressed CD105 (4.25 +/- 0.35), CD166 (27.83 +/- 1.89), and CD29 (9.4 +/- 0.57) and were negative for CD34, CD14, and CD45. In absence of additional stimuli in the culture media, these cells expressed connexin-43, alpha-actinin, and GATA-4, and were negative for SERCA-2, cardiac troponin I, and beta-MyHC.
Conclusions:
Human adult mesenchymal stem cells spontaneously exhibit markers of cardiac phenotype in vitro. In the appropiate myocardial environment, these cells may transdifferentiate into mature cardiomyocytes.
