miR-322 promotes the differentiation of embryonic stem cells into cardiomyocytes

Abstract

Previous studies have depicted that miR-322 can regulate the function of various stem cells. However, its role and mechanism in the ability of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) to differentiate into cardiomyocytes are still unknown. Celf1 can play vital roles in stem cell differentiation and may be a potential target of miR-322 in ESCs’ differentiation. An experiment was performed on mouse ESCs transfected with lentivirus-mediated miR-322 to study the function of miR-322. RT-PCR results indicated that miR-322 could increase NKX-2.5, MLC2V, and α-MHC mRNA expression, signifying that miR-322 might promote the differentiation of ESCs towards cardiomyocytes in vitro. Western blot and immunofluorescence results likewise confirmed this conclusion. In addition, the experiment found that the knockdown of miR-322 expression could inhibit ESCs’ differentiation towards cardiomyocytes in cultured ESCs in vitro. Western blot results presented that miR-322 could suppress celf1 protein expression. Furthermore, Western blot, RT-PCR, and immunofluorescence results manifested that celf1 might inhibit ESCs’ differentiation towards cardiomyocytes in vitro. Overall, the results signified that miR-322 might promote ESCs’ differentiation towards cardiomyocytes by regulating celf1 expressions.