Differentiation of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Into the Cardiac Phenotype Requires Intercellular Communication With Myocytes

Abstract

When cocultured with myocytes, BMSCs can transdifferentiate into cells with a cardiac phenotype. Differentiated myocytes express cardiac transcription factors GATA-4 and myocyte enhancer factor-2. The transdifferentiation processes rely on intercellular communication of BMSCs with myocytes.