Development of regenerative cardiomyocytes from mesenchymal stem cells for cardiovascular tissue engineering

Artif Organs. 2001 Mar;25(3):187-93. doi: 10.1046/j.1525-1594.2001.025003187.x.

Abstract

We have isolated a cardiomyogenic (CMG) cell line from murine bone marrow stroma. Stromal cells were immortalized, treated with 5-azacytidine, and spontaneous beating cells were repeatedly screened for. The cells showed a fibroblast-like morphology. However, this morphology changed after 5-azacytidine treatment in about 30% of the cells, which connected with adjoining cells after 1 week, formed myotube-like structures and began spontaneous beating after 2 weeks, and beat synchronously after 3 weeks. These cells expressed atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). Electron microscopy revealed a cardiomyocyte-like ultrastructure including typical sarcomeres and atrial granules. They had sinus node-like or ventricular cell-like action potentials. Analysis of the isoform of contractile protein genes, such as myosin and alpha-actin, indicated that their phenotype was similar to fetal ventricular cardiomyocytes. These cells expressed Nkx2.5, GATA4, TEF-1, and MEF2-C mRNA before 5-azacytidine treatment, and expressed MEF2-A and MEF2-D after treatment. This new cell line provides a powerful model for the study of cardiomyocyte transplantation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / analysis
  • Action Potentials
  • Animals
  • Atrial Natriuretic Factor / analysis
  • Azacitidine / pharmacology
  • Biomedical Engineering*
  • Bone Marrow Cells
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Transplantation
  • Female
  • Heart / physiology
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Mesoderm / cytology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Myocardial Contraction
  • Myocardium / chemistry
  • Myocardium / cytology*
  • Myocardium / ultrastructure
  • Myosins / analysis
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / analysis
  • Regeneration
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Stromal Cells / cytology

Substances

  • Actins
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
  • Atrial Natriuretic Factor
  • Myosins
  • Azacitidine