Cardiomyocyte differentiation from ES cells and iPS cells

Abstract

Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have recently been established by transfecting mouse and human fibroblasts with the transcription factors known to be expressed in embryonic stem (ES) cells. These cells have great potential in regenerative medicine as they have the capacity to differentiate into all three germ layer-derived cells and are syngeneic. The differentiation of ES cells and iPS cells into cardiomyocytes mimics the early processes involved in heart development. Recent studies describe the contribution of various humoral factors to heart development during embryogenesis. The exposure of ES cells and iPS cells to such growth factors is hypothesized to augment differentiation into cardiomyocytes. These progresses in basic science have the potential for providing the foundations for future regenerative medicine.