{"title":"Leveraging electric current stimulation and chemical induction to enhance MSC differentiation into cardiomyocytes.","authors":"Yong-Ji Chen, Yu-Hsin Lin, Chi-Hsiang Wu, Jhe-Lun Hu, Lain-Chyr Hwang, Pei-Leun Kang, Shwu-Jen Chang","doi":"10.1080/17460751.2025.2514905","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>To investigate whether direct electric current stimulation, when combined with chemical induction, can enhance the cardiomyogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), offering a potential strategy for cardiac regeneration.</p><p><strong>Materials & methods: </strong>Bone marrow-derived MSCs were subjected to short-term microcurrent stimulation (90 seconds) using an electroporation cuvette with voltages of 1-10 V and pulse parameters of 2 ms at 0.5-2 hz. 5-azacytidine (5-aza) was added as a chemical inducer. In vitro analyses included morphological observation, immunofluorescence staining, qPCR, and flow cytometry. In vivo, pretreated MSCs were injected into a rat myocardial infarction model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Electrical stimulation enhanced MSC alignment and upregulated cardiomyocyte-specific markers. Gene and protein expression analyses confirmed enhanced differentiation, especially in the combined treatment group. In vivo transplantation resulted in partial restoration of myocardial architecture, though no significant ventricular wall thickening was observed within four weeks.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study introduces a dual approach combining electrical and chemical cues to promote cardiomyogenic differentiation in MSCs. The use of a simple electroporation cuvette offers a practical and accessible method, with potential translational relevance for future cardiac repair strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":21043,"journal":{"name":"Regenerative medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Regenerative medicine","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17460751.2025.2514905","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"CELL & TISSUE ENGINEERING","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Aims: To investigate whether direct electric current stimulation, when combined with chemical induction, can enhance the cardiomyogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), offering a potential strategy for cardiac regeneration.
Materials & methods: Bone marrow-derived MSCs were subjected to short-term microcurrent stimulation (90 seconds) using an electroporation cuvette with voltages of 1-10 V and pulse parameters of 2 ms at 0.5-2 hz. 5-azacytidine (5-aza) was added as a chemical inducer. In vitro analyses included morphological observation, immunofluorescence staining, qPCR, and flow cytometry. In vivo, pretreated MSCs were injected into a rat myocardial infarction model.
Results: Electrical stimulation enhanced MSC alignment and upregulated cardiomyocyte-specific markers. Gene and protein expression analyses confirmed enhanced differentiation, especially in the combined treatment group. In vivo transplantation resulted in partial restoration of myocardial architecture, though no significant ventricular wall thickening was observed within four weeks.
Conclusions: This study introduces a dual approach combining electrical and chemical cues to promote cardiomyogenic differentiation in MSCs. The use of a simple electroporation cuvette offers a practical and accessible method, with potential translational relevance for future cardiac repair strategies.
期刊介绍:
Regenerative medicine replaces or regenerates human cells, tissue or organs, to restore or establish normal function*. Since 2006, Regenerative Medicine has been at the forefront of publishing the very best papers and reviews covering the entire regenerative medicine sector. The journal focusses on the entire spectrum of approaches to regenerative medicine, including small molecule drugs, biologics, biomaterials and tissue engineering, and cell and gene therapies – it’s all about regeneration and not a specific platform technology. The journal’s scope encompasses all aspects of the sector ranging from discovery research, through to clinical development, through to commercialization. Regenerative Medicine uniquely supports this important area of biomedical science and healthcare by providing a peer-reviewed journal totally committed to publishing the very best regenerative medicine research, clinical translation and commercialization.
Regenerative Medicine provides a specialist forum to address the important challenges and advances in regenerative medicine, delivering this essential information in concise, clear and attractive article formats – vital to a rapidly growing, multidisciplinary and increasingly time-constrained community.
Despite substantial developments in our knowledge and understanding of regeneration, the field is still in its infancy. However, progress is accelerating. The next few decades will see the discovery and development of transformative therapies for patients, and in some cases, even cures. Regenerative Medicine will continue to provide a critical overview of these advances as they progress, undergo clinical trials, and eventually become mainstream medicine.