Human cardiac tissue induces transdifferentiation of adult stem cells towards cardiomyocytes

Background aims. The goal was to induce the transdifferentiation (or conversion) of human adipose-derived stem cells to cardiomyocytes using an intracellular extract obtained from adult human heart tissue.

Methods. Human adult stem cells from lipoaspirates were transiently permeabilized, exposed to human atrial extracts and allowed to recover in culture.

Results. After 21 days, the cells acquired a cardiomyocyte phenotype, as demonstrated by morphologic changes (appearance of binucleate, striated cells and branching fibers), immunofluorescence detection of cardiac-specific markers (connexin-43, sarcomeric alpha-actinin, cardiac troponin I and T, and desmin) and the presence of cardiomyocyte-related genes analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (cardiac myosin light chain 1, alpha-cardiac actin, cardiac troponin T and cardiac beta-myosin).

Conclusions. We have demonstrated for the first time that adult cardiomyocytes obtained from human donors retain the capacity to induce cardiomyocyte differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells. The use of autologous extracts for reprogramming adult stem cells may have potential therapeutic implications for treating heart disease.