Direct reprogramming of cardiac fibroblasts to cardiomyocytes using microRNAs

The therapeutic administration of microRNAs represents an innovative reprogramming strategy with which to advance cardiac regeneration and personalized medicine. Recently, a distinct set of microRNAs was found capable of converting murine fibroblasts to cardiomyocyte-like cells in vitro. Further treatment with JAK inhibitor I significantly enhanced the efficiency of the microRNA-mediated reprogramming (Jayawardena et al., Circ Res 110(11):1465-1473, 2012). This novel technique serves as an initial tool for switching the cell fate of cardiac fibroblasts toward the cardiomyocyte lineage using microRNAs. As the budding field of reprogramming biology develops, we hope that a thorough examination of the chemical, physical, and temporal parameters determining reprogramming efficiency and maturation will enable a better understanding of the mechanisms governing cardiac cell fate and provide new approaches for drug discovery and therapy for cardiovascular diseases.