Ascorbic acid-mediated enhanced cardiomyocyte differentiation of mouse ES-cells involves interplay of DNA methylation and multiple-signals

Abbey, Deepti and Seshagiri, Polani B (2017) Ascorbic acid-mediated enhanced cardiomyocyte differentiation of mouse ES-cells involves interplay of DNA methylation and multiple-signals. In: DIFFERENTIATION, 96 . pp. 1-14.

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Abstract

Embryonic stem cells (ES-cells) provide a good model system to study lineage-specific differentiation. Though, the differentiation of ES-cells to cardiomyocytes is documented, a clear understanding of the molecular mechanism of differentiation and improved functional-differentiation efficiency are yet to be achieved. In this regard, ascorbic acid (Aa) is shown to be one of the effective cardiac inducers in ES-cells. But, its mechanism is poorly understood. We therefore, investigated the mechanism of Aa-mediated cardiomyocyte differentiation of ES-cells. Here, we describe the potential involvement of epigenetic (DNA methylation) as well as integrin-and Erk-signaling systems during cardiomyocyte differentiation. Transgenic GS-2 ES-cells and wild-type D3 ES-cells were differentiated to cardiomyocytes, in the presence or absence of Aa and with or without inhibitors of Erk-, collagen-and integrin-pathways. At specific time points, differentiated states of ES-cells were scored by gene expression analyses and the proportion of functional cTnI(+) cardiomyocytes. DNA methylation changes of Isl-1, BMP-2, GATA-4 and alpha-MHC in cardiogenic cells, following stimulation with Aa, were analyzed by using methylation specific PCR (MSP). We observed that Aa, when applied in initial phase of ES-cell differentiation, consistently enhanced cardiac differentiation (99%) over that observed during spontaneous differentiation (70%). This was associated with enhanced expressions of cardiogenesis-associated genes. A two-fold increase in cTnI(+) cells was observed, with appropriate myofibril arrangement. The observed effect of Aa was due to enhanced collagen and integrin signaling, coupled with a high p-ERK1/2 expression, downstream. Besides, the involvement of DNA methylation in regulating the expression of cardiac genes i.e., Isl-1 and a-MHC was also observed. Overall, this study, for the first time, demonstrates that Aa-mediated cardiac enhancement is brought about, mechanistically, through the interplay of epigenetic changes in DNA methylation of cardiac genes (Isl-1 and a-MHC) and integrin signaling system.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	DIFFERENTIATION
Additional Information:	Copy right for this article belongs to the ELSEVIER SCI LTD, THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, OXON, ENGLAND
Department/Centre:	Division of Biological Sciences > Molecular Reproduction, Development & Genetics
Date Deposited:	23 Dec 2017 08:56
Last Modified:	23 Dec 2017 08:56
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/58487

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