title: Nano-sized collagen I molecules enhanced the differentiation of rat mesenchymal stem cells into cardiomyocytes.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of nano-sized collagen I molecules (nanoparticles or nanofibrils) and a 5-azacytidine (5-aza) treatment to enhance the differentiation of rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) toward a cardiomyogenic phenotype in vitro. Second passaged MSCs were cocultured with nano-sized collagen I molecules for 24 h and then treated with 10 μM 5-aza for 24 h. The results demonstrated that the size of the cells increased significantly and acquired a flattened, triangular-shaped morphology after treatment with nano-sized collagen I molecules and 5-aza. The cells are connecting with adjoining cells by forming myotube-like structures. Additional treatment of the MSCs with nano-sized collagen I fibrils significantly increased two transcription factors GATA-4 (12.6-fold increase) and Nkx2.5 (4.8-fold increase) expressions compared with MSC groups treated only with 5-aza at 3-day culturing. Furthermore, MSCs pretreated with nano-sized collagen fibrils significantly increased the expressions of cardiac genes of troponin I, β-myosin heavy chain, and cardiac α-actin compared with MSC groups treated only with 5-aza (all, p < 0.01 or better). These results indicate that culturing MSCs with nano-sized collagen I molecules, which may act as scaffolds or soluble protein ingredients, leads to alterations in gene expression and affects the differentiation fate induced with 5-aza.
authors: Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors: Pei-Leun
authors: PL
authors: Kang
authors: Chih-Hao
authors: CH
authors: Chen
authors: Shu Ying
authors: SY
authors: Chen
authors: Yi-Jhen
authors: YJ
authors: Wu
authors: Chia Yun
authors: CY
authors: Lin
authors: Feng-Huei
authors: FH
authors: Lin
authors: Shyh Ming
authors: SM
authors: Kuo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001374:Azacitidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D000072576:Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.5; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009928:Organ Specificity / Q000187:drug effects; D010316:Particle Size; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D055672:Static Electricity; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I; D000072576:Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.5; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C524161:Nkx2-5 protein, rat; D014157:Transcription Factors; D001374:Azacitidine
keywords: 5-azacytidine; cardiomyocyte; mesenchymal stem cell; nano-sized collagen molecules