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Modified Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell based Assay for Quantifying Cardiogenic Induction Efficiency
Published on: April 22, 2011
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Functional high-resolution time-course expression analysis of human embryonic stem cells undergoing cardiac induction
Ilaria Piccini1, Marcos Araúzo-Bravo2, Guiscard Seebohm1
1Institute of Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
Genomics Data
|October 11, 2016
Summary
This study details human embryonic stem cell (hESC) differentiation into cardiomyocytes, revealing key gene expression patterns. The findings provide a valuable resource for understanding cardiac development and identifying cardiac stem cells.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Cardiac induction of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) is medically relevant but poorly understood.
- Advancements in cardiac precursor cell derivation and subtype specification require deeper insights.
- Recent improvements allow near-homogeneous induction of the cardiac lineage in hESCs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically analyze hESC differentiation into cardiomyocytes.
- To generate a comprehensive dataset of high-resolution differentiation time-courses.
- To identify genes marking distinct intermediate stages and potential cardiac master regulators.
Main Methods:
- Optimized stimulation of mesoderm-inducing signaling pathways (Activin, FGF, BMP, WNT) followed by WNT inhibition.
- Systematic variation of hESC differentiation conditions.
- Genome-wide expression profiling of differentiation time-courses (GEO accession number GSE67154).
Main Results:
- A comprehensive dataset of hESC cardiac differentiation was generated.
- Individual signaling factor roles were revealed by comparing withdrawal conditions to optimal conditions.
- Known and uncharacterized genes marking distinct intermediate stages were identified.
Conclusions:
- The dataset serves as a rich resource for hypothesis generation in human cardiac induction.
- It aids in identifying putative cardiac master regulators in the human system.
- The data is useful for characterizing expandable cardiac stem cells.

