Regulation of multiple transcription factors by reactive oxygen species and effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines released during myocardial infarction on cardiac differentiation of embryonic stem cells.

Background: The mechanism of how reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulate cardiac differentiation in the long-run is unclear and the effect of pro-inflammatory cytokines secreted during myocardial infarction on the cardiac differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) is unknown. The aims of this study were 1) to investigate the effect of ROS on cardiac differentiation and the regulations of transcription factors in ESC differentiation cultures and 2) to investigate the effect of pro-inflammatory cytokines on the expression of cardiac structural genes and whether this effect is mediated through ROS signaling.

Methods: ESCs were differentiated using hanging drop method.