Hypoxia Enhances Direct Reprogramming of Mouse Fibroblasts to Cardiomyocyte-Like Cells

Cell Reprogram. 2016 Feb;18(1):1-7. doi: 10.1089/cell.2015.0051. Epub 2016 Jan 12.

Abstract

Recent work has shown that mouse and human fibroblasts can be reprogrammed to cardiomyocyte-like cells with a combination of transcription factors. Current research has focused on improving the efficiency and mechanisms for fibroblast reprogramming. Previously, it has been reported that hypoxia enhances fibroblast cell reprogramming to pluripotent stem cells. In this study, we observed that 6 h of hypoxic conditions (2% oxygen) on newborn mouse dermal fibroblasts can improve the efficiency of reprogramming to cardiomyocyte-like cells. Expression of cardiac-related genes and proteins increased at 4 weeks after transfer of three transcription factors (Gata4/Mef2c/Tbx5 [GMT]). However, beating cardiomyocyte cells were not detected. The epigenetic mechanism of hypoxia-induced fibroblast reprogramming to cardiomyocyte cells requires further study.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Cell Hypoxia / physiology
  • Cell Transdifferentiation / genetics
  • Cell Transdifferentiation / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cellular Reprogramming / genetics
  • Cellular Reprogramming / physiology*
  • Dermis / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / physiology*
  • GATA4 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • MEF2 Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Mice
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / physiology*
  • T-Box Domain Proteins / genetics
  • Transduction, Genetic

Substances

  • GATA4 Transcription Factor
  • Gata4 protein, mouse
  • MEF2 Transcription Factors
  • Mef2c protein, mouse
  • T-Box Domain Proteins
  • T-box transcription factor 5