Ouabain facilitates cardiac differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells through ERK1/2 pathway.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

To investigate the effects of the cardiotonic steroid, ouabain, on cardiac differentiation of murine embyronic stem cells (mESCs).

Methods

Cardiac differentiation of murine ESCs was enhanced by standard hanging drop method in the presence of ouabain (20 μmol/L) for 7 d. The dissociated ES derived cardiomyocytes were examined by flow cytometry, RT-PCR and confocal calcium imaging.

Results

Compared with control, mESCs treated with ouabain (20 μmol/L) yielded a significantly higher percentage of cardiomyocytes, and significantly increased expression of a panel of cardiac markers including Nkx 2.5, α-MHC, and β-MHC. The α1 and 2- isoforms Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, on which ouabain acted, were also increased in mESCs during differentiation. Among the three MAPKs involved in t

SUBMITTER: Lee YK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4003319 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature