Pharmacological activation of mesenchymal stem cells increases gene expression pattern of cell adhesion molecules and fusion with neonatal cardiomyocytes.

ABSTRACT

Cellular therapy is considered a better option for the treatment of degenerative disorders. Different cell types are being used for tissue regeneration. Despite extensive research in this field, several issues remain to be addressed concerning cell transplantation. One of these issues is the survival and homing of administered cells in the injured tissue, which depends on the ability of these cells to adhere. To enhance cell adherence and survival, Rap1 GTPase was activated in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as well as in cardiomyocytes (CMs) by using 8-pCPT-2'-O-Me-cAMP, and the effect on gene expression dynamics was determined through quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Pharmacological activation of MSCs and CMs resulted in the upregulation of connexin-43 and cell adhesion genes, which increased the cell adhesion ability of MSCs and CMs, and increased the fusion of MSCs with neonatal CMs. Treating stem cells with a pharmacological agent that activates Rap1a before transplantation can enhance their fusion with CMs and increase cellular regeneration.