Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) ›› 2026, Vol. 52 ›› Issue (1): 281-289.doi: 10.13481/j.1671-587X.20260131

• Review • Previous Articles    

Research progress in effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on differentiation induction of cardiomyocyte-like cells, protection of cardiomyocytes, and myocardial-related diseases

Huiying YANG1,2,Weihong LIANG1,2,Xinru XU1,2,Haodan SUN1,2,Xin JIAO3,Haiping WANG1,2()   

  1. 1.Department of Histology and Embryology,School of Basic Medical Sciences,Hebei North University,Zhangjiakou 075000,China
    2.Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology,Hebei North University,Zhangjiakou 075000,China
    3.Department of Forensic Medicine,School of Basic Medical Sciences,Hebei North University,Zhangjiakou 075000,China
  • Received:2024-09-29 Accepted:2024-12-06 Online:2026-01-28 Published:2026-02-24
  • Contact: Haiping WANG E-mail:2646077539@qq.com

Abstract:

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of disability and death worldwide. Its pathological features include irreversible loss of cardiomyocytes (CMs), cardiac fibrosis, and progressive decline in function. Although existing drug therapies and interventional measures can alleviate the symptoms, they hardly achieve effective regeneration of myocardium tissue, leaving clinical needs far from being met. The bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), as an important source of endogenous stem cells, possess characteristics such as proliferation and multidirectional differentiation. In vitro, the BMSCs can be directionally differentiated into the cardiomyocyte-like cells through methods such as chemical reagents, physical stimulation, cytokines, simulation of the myocardial microenvironment, and gene transfection. The differentiation of the BMSCs into the cardiomyocyte-like cells and the repair of damaged CMs primarily rely on their paracrine effects, which also involve the production of exosomes(Exo) via paracrine signaling. The Exo can carry cytokines, phospholipids, and various RNAs, such as microRNAs(miRNA) (miR-29b-3p/miR-125b) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). They exert protective effects by regulating targets like a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 16 (ADAMTS16) and sirtuin 7 (SIRT7), thereby inhibiting CMs apoptosis and alleviating myocardial fibrosis and inflammatory responses. Furthermore, BMSCs can act on regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) in vivo, stimulating them to produce repair factors and promoting macrophage polarization. They also participate in immune responses by modulating natural killer (NK) cells to influence autophagy, thereby mitigating myocardial inflammatory reactions. This article reviews the methods and related mechanisms for the directional differentiation of BMSCs into the cardiomyocyte-like cells in vitro, as well as the protective effects of the BMSCs in CVD models such as diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), myocardial infarction (MI), and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). It aims to reveal their protective mechanisms on CMs and provide insights for clinical application.

Key words: Cardiovascular diseases, Cardiomyocytes, Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, Exosomes, Immune response

CLC Number: 

  • R329