In vitro stem cell differentiation into cardiomyocytes

Encouraged by the initial in vivo and clinical data on cardiac stem cell transplantation, the number of conducted clinical studies has increased exponentially. Pre-transplantation differentiation may provide, beyond proof of principal, more efficient cellular repopulation. This review concerns parameters implicated in transdifferentiation in vitro, besides cell medium composition and cytokines/growth factors. These include various chemicals, extracellular matrix cues, coculture assays and physical stimuli. Identification of all determinants in this process and possible interactions will augment in developing efficient protocols for targeted stem cell differentiation towards the cardiomyocyte lineage prior to transplantation.