Cardiac progenitor cells engineered with Pim-1 (CPCeP) develop cardiac phenotypic electrophysiological properties as they are co-cultured with neonatal myocytes

Stem cell transplantation has been successfully used for amelioration of cardiomyopathic injury using adult cardiac progenitor cells (CPC). Engineering of mouse CPC with the human serine/threonine kinase Pim-1 (CPCeP) enhances regeneration and cell survival in vivo, but it is unknown if such apparent lineage commitment is associated with maturation of electrophysiological properties and excitation–contraction coupling. This study aims to determine electrophysiology and Ca2 +-handling properties of CPCeP using neonatal rat cardiomyocyte (NRCM) co-culture to promote cardiomyocyte lineage commitment. Measurements of membrane capacitance, dye transfer, expression of connexin 43 (Cx43), and transmission of ionic currents (ICa, INa) from one cell to the next suggest that a subset of co-cultured CPCeP and NRCM becomes connected via gap junctions. Unlike NRCM, CPCeP had no significant INa, but expressed nifedipine-sensitive ICa that could be measured more consistently with Ba2 + as permeant ion using ramp-clamp protocols than with Ca2 + and step-depolarization protocols. The magnitude of ICa in CPCeP increased during culture (4–7 days vs. 1–3 days) and was larger in co-cultures with NRCM and with NRCM-conditioned medium, than in mono-cultured CPCeP. ICa was virtually absent in CPC without engineered expression of Pim-1. Caffeine and KCl-activated Ca2 +-transients were significantly present in co-cultured CPCeP, but smaller than in NRCM. Conversely, ATP-induced (IP3-mediated) Ca2 + transients were larger in CPCeP than in NRCM. INCX and IATP were expressed in equivalent densities in CPCeP and NRCM. These in vitro studies suggest that CPCeP in co-culture with NRCM: a) develop ICa current and Ca2 + signaling consistent with cardiac lineage, b) form electrical connections via Cx43 gap junctions, and c) respond to paracrine signals from NRCM. These properties may be essential for durable and functional myocardial regeneration under in vivo conditions.

► CPCeP express functional ICa, INCX and IATP.
► Paracrine effects of NRCM enhance the maturation of Ca2 +-handling properties.
► Electrophysiological coupling between CPCeP and NRCM is maintained by gap junctions.