Abstract
Aims: Limited regenerative potential of cardiomyocytes (CMs) causes irreversible changes in heart tissue during pathological processes. However bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) can migrate to this tissue, incorporate to the area of dead or missing myocytes, and improve the global heart function. The mechanism of BMMSCs’ incorporation and interaction with CMs is not clear. Our aim was to create an in vitro model which would enable to study the interaction of BM-MNCs with CMs and to make a microscopy description of these interactions. Methods and Results: CMs were isolated from adult and newborn rats. BM-MNCs were isolated from bone marrow. BM-MNCs were added to the myocyte culture. Cell-to-cell adherence and Cx43 expression were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy, Ca2+ transients were evaluated in cardiomyocyte-BMC communication under electrical stimulation by fluo-4 fluorescence measurement. Analysis of calcein transport from BM-MNCs to CMs was performed using fluorescence microscopy. Conclusions: The adherence of BM-MNCs to CMs occurred quickly and was stable. Cx43 was detected in contact zones between BM-MNCs and CMs; pairs which displayed Cx43 positivity represented less than 1% from all BM-MNC-cardiomyocyte pairs in the coculture. Conductive structures between CMs and BM-MNCs were formed and verified by imaging calcein transfer and synchronous Ca2+ transients.
Highlights
Myocardial infarction is the leading cause of heart failure and death in developed countries
Connexin 43 (Cx43) was detected in contact zones between bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) and CMs; pairs which displayed Cx43 positivity represented less than 1% from all BM-MNC-cardiomyocyte pairs in the coculture
In agreement with other authors [12], we found that cultured BM-MNC – CM pairs that display this Cx43 positivity constitute only less than 1% of all BM-MNC – CM pairs in the coculture dish
Summary
Myocardial infarction is the leading cause of heart failure and death in developed countries. It is caused by restriction of blood supply to a part of the heart muscle. Adult cardiomyocytes have a very limited potential to regenerate, and the necrotic tissue cannot be reconstituted into a functional syncytium of new cardiomyocytes [3,4]. Necrotic tissue is gradually replaced by a highly organized scar containing mainly fibroblasts [5]. In the majority of cases, necrosis results in heart failure, for which today there is only one known causal therapy: heart transplantation. The potential for delivering stem/progenitor cells into the infarcted area is being intensely investigated. Continued investigation is needed to develop a safe and efficient means of cell therapy
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
