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Updated: Mar 20, 2026
Derivation of Cardiac Progenitor Cells from Embryonic Stem Cells
Published on: January 12, 2015
Resveratrol promotes differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells to cardiomyocytes
Hong Ding1, Xin Xu1, Xian Qin1
1Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi No. 2 People's Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
Aim:
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are capable to differentiate into cardiomyocytes, with the potential to treat cardiovascular diseases. However, directed differentiation is still a challenge faced by scientists. As a natural substance in grapes, resveratrol (RV) is important for cardiovascular protection. The studies of RV and its effects on ESC differentiation have potential clinical applications.
Methods:
Using mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), we investigated the effects of different concentrations of RV (5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 μmol/L) exposure on mESCs viability, expression levels of cardiac marker genes in embryoid bodies (EBs) derived from mESCs, expression levels of maturity indicative cardiac markers in cardiomyocytes derived from mESCs, and the beating properties of EBs.
Results:
About 10 μmol/L of RV showed no toxicity on cell viability and was the optimal concentration to promote mESC differentiation, induce mESC differentiation to cardiomyocytes, and gain the beating properties of EBs.
Conclusion:
RV can successfully direct the differentiation of mESCs into cardiomyocytes, shedding light on its future applications to treat cardiovascular diseases.
Insights
Resveratrol (RV) effectively promotes mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) differentiation into cardiomyocytes without toxicity. This finding offers a promising therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular diseases.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Stem Cell Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can differentiate into cardiomyocytes, holding potential for treating cardiovascular diseases.
- Directed differentiation of ESCs remains a significant scientific challenge.
- Resveratrol (RV), a natural compound from grapes, is known for its cardiovascular protective properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of resveratrol (RV) on the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) into cardiomyocytes.
- To determine the optimal concentration of RV for promoting mESC differentiation and cardiomyocyte maturation.
- To assess the impact of RV on the functional properties, such as beating, of differentiated cardiomyocytes.
Main Methods:
- Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) were exposed to various concentrations of RV (5, 10, 20, 50, 100 μmol/L).
- Cell viability, cardiac marker gene expression in embryoid bodies (EBs), and cardiomyocyte maturity markers were analyzed.
- The beating properties of RV-treated EBs were evaluated.
Main Results:
- A concentration of 10 μmol/L RV demonstrated no toxicity to mESCs.
- This optimal RV concentration significantly promoted mESC differentiation into cardiomyocytes.
- RV treatment led to the development of beating properties in the derived EBs.
Conclusions:
- Resveratrol (RV) can effectively direct the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) into functional cardiomyocytes.
- This research highlights RV's potential as a therapeutic agent for cardiovascular disease treatment.
- Further studies are warranted to explore RV's clinical applications in regenerative cardiology.
