Efficiency Comparison of Direct Reprogramming CD34+ Cells into Cardiomyocytes Using Cardiomyocyte Differentiation Medium vs MicroRNA-1.

The development of a direct reprogramming method to provide cell availability for regenerative therapy has led to a lot of studies. However, the search for appropriate cell sources and methods is still being carried out until now. Direct reprogramming using microRNA-1 (miR-1) is an option to obtain cardiomyocytes from other cells because miR-1 has evidence to play a role in the development of cardiac muscle cells in the embryo. This study aimed to compare the direct reprogramming efficiency of CD34⁺ cells from peripheral blood into cardiomyocytes between cardiomyocyte differentiation medium and miR-1. CD34⁺ cells from peripheral blood isolation and expansion process was conducted for 7 days using magnetic-activated cell sorting. Cardiomyocyte differentiation medium added in P1 group and transfection of miR-1 in P2 group of cell culture. Cardiac troponin immunocytochemistry staining and measurement were done on the fifth day after cell culture treatment. Cardiac troponin expression was observed higher in the P2 group (median 31.34) compared to the P1 group (median 21.06) (p = 0.000). The efficiency of direct reprogramming of CD34⁺ cells into cardiomyocytes with cardiomyocyte differentiation medium was 13%-21% and with miR-1 transfection was 31%-32%. Both the addition of miR-1 and cardiomyocyte differentiation medium could directly reprogram CD34⁺ cells into cardiomyocytes. The efficiency of miR-1 in reprogramming CD34⁺ cells into cardiomyocytes is superior to cardiomyocytes differentiation medium.