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Single Cell Transcriptional Profiling of Adult Mouse Cardiomyocytes
Published on: December 28, 2011
Global transcriptome analysis of murine embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes
Michael Xavier Doss1, Johannes Winkler, Shuhua Chen
1Center of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute of Neurophysiology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. m-x.doss@uni-koeln.de
Genome Biology
|April 13, 2007
Summary
This study characterized gene expression in cardiomyocytes derived from embryonic stem cells, revealing distinct patterns related to mature cardiac function. These findings help define early biologic processes and signaling pathways in developing heart cells.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Gene Expression Analysis
Background:
- Embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes are a model for studying cardiac development.
- Understanding their gene expression is crucial for defining early biologic processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the gene expression signatures of cardiomyocytes derived from embryonic stem cells.
- To identify specific gene patterns and signaling pathways in these cells.
Main Methods:
- Generated a transgenic alpha-myosin heavy chain (MHC) embryonic stem cell line.
- Isolated highly pure cardiomyocytes using puromycin resistance and EGFP expression.
- Performed comprehensive transcriptome analysis via RNA sequencing.
Main Results:
- Identified 884 upregulated and 951 downregulated probe sets in cardiomyocytes compared to stem cells and embryoid bodies.
- Upregulated genes are involved in cytoskeletal function, ion channels, and energy metabolism.
- Downregulated genes relate to mitosis, apoptosis, and Wnt signaling; enriched pathways include calcium signaling and kinase activity.
Conclusions:
- Gene expression patterns in ESC-derived cardiomyocytes mirror those of mature cardiomyocytes.
- Identification of these specific patterns and pathways aids in understanding cardiac function.
- This research contributes to elucidating the roles of cardiomyocytes in intact cardiac function.
