Microcurrent-Mediated Modulation of Myofibroblasts for Cardiac Repair and Regeneration

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Biology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases cause significant mortality, often leading to cardiac fibrosis via myofibroblast activation and excessive extracellular matrix deposition.
• Current treatments for cardiac fibrosis are limited, highlighting an unmet need for novel therapeutic strategies.
• Microcurrent therapy has emerged as a promising approach with potential applications in cardiac care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of microcurrent therapy on cardiac myofibroblasts.
• To explore the potential of microcurrents as a treatment for cardiac fibrosis and heart failure.
• To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying microcurrents' impact on myofibroblast phenotype.

Main Methods:

• Primary rat cardiac fibroblasts were differentiated into myofibroblasts.
• Myofibroblasts were treated with direct current (DC) microcurrents (1 and 2 µA/cm²) with and without polarity reversal.
• Cellular behavior, protein expression, and gene expression were analyzed and compared to controls.

Main Results:

• Microcurrent application induced distinct transcriptional signatures in myofibroblasts.
• Gene expression analysis revealed alterations in myofibroblast markers, extracellular matrix components, and pro-inflammatory cytokines.
• Observed changes suggest a reversal of the myofibroblast phenotype, potentially mitigating cardiac fibrosis.

Conclusions:

• Microcurrent therapy demonstrates potential in reversing myofibroblast activation and reducing pathological cardiac remodeling.
• These findings offer insights into microcurrents as a therapeutic modality for cardiac fibrosis and heart failure.
• Further research may establish microcurrent therapy for promoting cardiac tissue repair.