Role of Signaling Pathways during Cardiomyocyte Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract

Multipotent stem cells, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), represent a promising source to be used by regenerative medicine. They are capable of performing myogenic, chondrogenic, osteogenic, and adipogenic differentiation. Also, MSCs are characterized by the expression of multiple surface antigens, but none of them appear to be particularly expressed on MSCs. Moreover, the prospect of monitoring and controlling MSC differentiation is a scientifically crucial regulatory and clinical requirement. Different transcription factors and signaling pathways are involved in cardiomyocyte differentiation. Due to the paucity of studies exclusively focused on cardiomyocyte differentiation of MSCs, the present study aims at describing the roles of various signaling pathways (FGF, TGF, Wnt, and Notch) in cardiomyocyte differentiation of MSCs. Understanding the signaling pathways that control the commitment and differentiation of cardiomyocyte cells not only will expand our basic understanding of molecular mechanisms of heart development but also will enable us to develop therapeutic means of intervention in cardiovascular diseases.