Objective: To investigate the expression of the transcriptive factors, GATA-4 and Nkx2.5 gene, in the course of induction of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into cardiomyocytes, and analyze its molecular biological mechanism.
Methods: Rattus Mesenchymal Stem Cells were cultured in vitro and 3rd generation cells were induced in 10 micromol/L 5-azacytidine, troponin I was checked with immunohistochemistry and Western blot, GATA-4 and NkX2.5 gene were analyzed by RT-PCR in 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks respectively.
Results: Growth of MSCs stopped after being induced, trending to form colonies, troponin I positive expressed since 2nd week, GATA-4 and Nkx2.5 began to express in 1st week, increasing gradually, peak in 3rd week.
Conclusion: GATA-4 and Nkx2. 5 gene expression increased gradually in the course of stem cells differentiation, which may control the rule of cardiomyocyte transcription.