Latifolin enhances both survival and cardiomyocyte differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on rat myocardial infarction model

Abstract

Background: Myocardial infarction caused abundant loss of cardiomyocytes and myocardium limited self-repair ability. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were a promising option for cardiomyocyte regeneration therapies. However, low cardiomyocyte differentiation efficiency and poor cell survival limit application in myocardial infarction. Here, our study aimed to promote the survival and cardiomyocyte differentiation of BM-MSCs by latifolin from Dalbergiae Odoriferae. Methods: In vitro, cell survival was measured by MTT and apoptosis assays. BM-MSCs morphological differentiation was observed under microscope and TEM. Cardiac-specific genes and proteins were measured by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining. In vivo, cardiac function was assessed by LDH and CK-MB and echocardiography. The gross morphology and TTC were used to assess the LV infarct size. Masson’s trichrome was used to detect the extent of fibrosis. Histopathological changes were observed by HE staining. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the survival and cardiomyocyte differentiation of BM-MSCs. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect macrophage CD68 and neutrophils MPO expression. The protein expression of IL-6, p-NF-κB, β-catenin and HIF-1αwere detected by Western Blot. Results: In vitro, latifolin increased BM-MSCs viability and decreased apoptosis. Both atrial particles and myofilaments were precisely observed in the cytoplasm under TEM. Latifolin increased the cardiac-specific mRNA and proteins. In vivo, latifolin promoted BM-MSCs to reduce myocardial enzyme and improve cardiac function. Moreover, latifolin promoted BM-MSCs to reduces myocardial infarction size, myocardial fibrosis size, histopathological changes and macrophage infiltration in myocardial tissue. At the same time, latifolin promoted survival and cardiomyocyte differentiation of BM-MSCs. Latifolin up-regulated the protein expression of β-catenin and down-regulated the protein expression of IL-6, p-NF-κB, HIF-1α. Conclusion: Latifolin enhanced the effect of BM-MSCs to cure MI by promoting survival and cardiomyocyte differentiation after transplant in myocardial tissue though HIF-1α/NF-κB/IL-6 pathway and HIF-1α/β-catenin pathway. Such pro-differentiation and pro-survival might be a potential strategy to increase their regenerative efficacy.