Turning on stem cell cardiogenesis with extremely low frequency magnetic fields

TLDR

Stem cell differentiation, especially of embryonic stem cells into cardiomyocytes, is a central goal in cellular engineering, yet current differentiation efficiencies remain low. Exposure of mouse embryonic stem cells to extremely low‑frequency magnetic fields activates cardiac‑lineage genes such as GATA‑4, Nkx‑2.5, and prodynorphin, increases dynorphin B production, and markedly boosts cardiomyocyte yield, demonstrating that magnetic fields can reprogram cardiac differentiation without gene transfer and hold promise for tissue engineering and cell therapy.

Abstract

Modulation of stem cell differentiation is an important assignment for cellular engineering. Embryonic stem (ES) cells can differentiate into cardiomyocytes, but the efficiency is typically low. Here, we show that exposure of mouse ES cells to extremely low frequency magnetic fields triggered the expression of GATA-4 and Nkx-2.5, acting as cardiac lineage-promoting genes in different animal species, including humans. Magnetic fields also enhanced prodynorphin gene expression, and the synthesis and secretion of dynorphin B, an endorphin playing a major role in cardiogenesis. These effects occurred at the transcriptional level and ultimately ensued into a remarkable increase in the yield of ES-derived cardiomyocytes. These results demonstrate the potential use of magnetic fields for modifying the gene program of cardiac differentiation in ES cells without the aid of gene transfer technologies and may pave the way for novel approaches in tissue engineering and cell therapy.