In:
Stem Cells, Oxford University Press (OUP), Vol. 26, No. 11 ( 2008-11-01), p. 2782-2790
Abstract:
The roles of Notch signaling in cardiac differentiation from murine embryonic stem cells have been well documented. We investigated whether Notch signaling plays a similar role in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Although, as previously reported, blocking Notch signaling via the addition of γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI) alone failed to affect hESC differentiation, we found that GSI plus reduced-volume culture medium (GSI/RVCM) accelerated mesodermal differentiation. GSI/RVCM conditions simultaneously suppressed commitment toward neuroectodermal lineages. Furthermore, sustained inhibition of Notch signaling further enhanced differentiation into cardiac mesoderm. Spontaneous beating activity was typically observed from 12 days after initiation of GSI treatment in RVCM. Moreover, hESC-derived cardiomyocytes expressed connexin 43 and possessed spontaneous calcium oscillations and cardiomyocyte beats coupled to neonatal rat cardiomyocytes when cocultured. These findings strongly suggest a distinct role for Notch signaling in the induction and specification of hESC-derived cardiac mesoderm in vitro. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1066-5099
,
1549-4918
DOI:
10.1634/stemcells.2007-1053
Language:
English
Publisher:
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Publication Date:
2008
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2030643-X
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1143556-2
detail.hit.zdb_id:
605570-9
SSG:
12
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