Co-culture with neonatal cardiomyocytes enhances the proliferation of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes via FAK/JNK signaling.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We previously reported that the pluripotent stem cells can differentiate into cardiomyocytes (CMs) by co-culture with neonatal CMs (NCMs) in vitro. However, the involving mechanism is not clear.

Methods

Mouse induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were cultured in hanging drops to form embryoid bodies (EBs) and to induce myocardial differentiation. Co-culture of EBs and NCMs was established in a transwell insert system, while EBs grown alone in the wells were used as controls.

Results

Co-culture with NCMs markedly increased the generation of functional CMs from iPSCs. The focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation in co-culture were higher than that in EBs grown alone. Treating FAK small interfering RNA (F

SUBMITTER: Ou D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4855360 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature