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Published on: June 3, 2018
Microcurrent-Mediated Modulation of Myofibroblasts for Cardiac Repair and Regeneration
Dipthi Bachamanda Somesh1, Karsten Jürchott2, Thomas Giesel1
1Berlin Heals, 59-61 Knesebeck Str, 10719 Berlin, Germany.
Insights
Microcurrent therapy may reverse cardiac myofibroblast activation, reducing pathological remodeling and fibrosis in heart failure. This novel approach shows potential for cardiac tissue repair and improved heart function.
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.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular diseases are a significant cause of illness and death worldwide, often resulting in myofibroblast differentiation, pathological remodeling, and fibrosis, characterized by excessive extracellular matrix protein deposition. Treatment options for cardiac fibrosis that can effectively target myofibroblast activation and ECM deposition are limited, necessitating an unmet need for new therapeutic approaches. In recent years, microcurrent therapy has demonstrated promising therapeutic effects, showcasing its translational potential in cardiac care. This study therefore sought to investigate the effects of microcurrent therapy on cardiac myofibroblasts, aiming to unravel its potential as a treatment for cardiac fibrosis and heart failure. The experimental design involved the differentiation of primary rat cardiac fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. Subsequently, these cells were subjected to microcurrent (MC) treatment at 1 and 2 µA/cm2 DC with and without polarity reversal. We then investigated the impact of microcurrent treatment on myofibroblast cell behavior, including protein and gene expression, by performing various assays and analyses comparing them to untreated myofibroblasts and cardiac fibroblasts. The application of microcurrents resulted in distinct transcriptional signatures and improved cellular processes. Gene expression analysis showed alterations in myofibroblast markers, extracellular matrix components, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. These observations show signs of microcurrent-mediated reversal of myofibroblast phenotype, possibly reducing cardiac fibrosis, and providing insights for cardiac tissue repair.
