Beclin1 deficiency unlocks cardiac lineage commitment through convergent Wnt and BMP signaling activation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived cardiomyocytes are a key resource for studying cardiac development and advancing regenerative therapies. Beclin1 (Becn1), a core regulator of autophagy and cardiac morphogenesis, has an undefined role in cardiomyocyte lineage specification. This study aims to investigate the regulatory function of Becn1 during cardiac differentiation from both mouse and human ESCs.

Methods

Mouse and human ESCs were differentiated into cardiomyocytes through established embryoid body (EB) formation or monolayer differentiation protocols. Stable Becn1 knockdown was achieved using short hairpin RNA (shRNA). Cardiomyocyte differentiation efficiency was evaluated by flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, and contraction assays. Differentiation cardiomyoc

SUBMITTER: Xiang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12613599 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature