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Published on: January 7, 2019
c-Kit+ bone marrow stem cells differentiate into functional cardiac myocytes
Hajime Kubo1, Remus M Berretta, Naser Jaleel
1Department of Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Center, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Clinical and Translational Science
|May 7, 2010
Summary
This study shows that c-kit(+) bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) can transform into functional cardiac myocytes. These cells require co-culture with neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) to mature and form functional gap junctions.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- The potential of bone marrow cells (BMCs) to regenerate cardiac myocytes remains debated.
- Understanding the specific BMC populations capable of cardiac myocyte differentiation is crucial for therapeutic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the capacity of different types of BMCs to differentiate into functional cardiac myocytes.
- To compare the myogenic potential of c-kit(+) bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs), c-kit(+) BMCs, and crude BMCs.
Main Methods:
- Isolated BMCs (BMSCs, c-kit(+), crude) were labeled and co-cultured with neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs).
- Cells were analyzed using immunofluorescence staining (c-kit, alpha-tropomyosin, alpha-actinin, Cx43, Ki67) and confocal microscopy.
- Electrophysiology and gap junction function (FRAP) were assessed in differentiated cells.
Main Results:
- BMCs proliferated and differentiated into cardiac myocytes within 48 hours of co-culture.
- c-kit(+) BMSCs demonstrated a significantly higher myogenic rate (41.2%) compared to other BMC types.
- Newly formed myocytes required electrical coupling with NRVMs via functional gap junctions to achieve mature electrophysiological properties.
Conclusions:
- c-kit(+) BMSCs possess the ability to transdifferentiate into functional cardiac myocytes.
- The differentiation and maturation of BMC-derived myocytes are dependent on the presence of NRVMs and the formation of functional gap junctions.
