Synergistic induction of cardiomyocyte differentiation from human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by interleukin 1β and 5-azacytidine

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) is a cytokine protein expressed by cardiomyocyte in myocardial damage-associated inflammation. Although several methods are currently available for treatment of heart diseases none of them are completely successful. Recently, stem cells have gained enormous attention and are expected to play a significant role for treating heart diseases. 5-Azacytidine (5-aza) has recently been found to cause stimulation of stem cells to differentiate into cardiomyocytes. Here we present the determination of whether IL-1 beta can induce the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to cardiomyocytes. MSCs were derived from bone marrow, propagated and then cultured in differentiation medium supplemented with 5-aza and IL-1 beta (at two levels, 5 and 10 ng/ml). After 21 days, total RNA was extracted and cDNA synthesis was carried out. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) was performed for detecting cardiac-specific markers. Besides, to investigate the expression of cardiac markers in protein levels, immunocytochemistry was done by specific antibodies. Ultimately, cardiac markers expression suggested that IL-1 beta and 5-aza synergistically induces the cardiomyocyte differentiation.