Collagen/β1 integrin interaction is required for embryoid body formation during cardiogenesis from murine induced pluripotent stem cells

Background The interactions between stem cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) mediated by integrins play important roles in the processes that determine stem cell fate. However, the role of ECM/integrin interaction in the formation of embryoid bodies (EBs) during cardiogenesis from murine induced pluripotent stem cells (miPSCs) remains unclear. Results In the present study, collagen type I and β1 integrin were expressed and upregulated synergistically during the formation of miPSC-derived EBs, with a peak expression at day 3 of differentiation. The blockage of collagen/β1 integrin interaction by β1 integrin blocking antibody resulted in the production of defective EBs that were characterized by decreased size and the absence of a shell-like layer composed of primitive endoderm cells. The quantification of spontaneous beating activity, cardiac-specific gene expression and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) immunostaining showed that the cardiac differentiation of these defective miPSC-derived EBs was lower than that of control EBs. Conclusions These findings indicate that collagen/β1 integrin interaction is required for the growth and cardiac differentiation of miPSC-derived EBs and will be helpful in future engineering of the matrix microenvironment within EBs to efficiently direct the cardiac fate of pluripotent stem cells to promote cardiovascular regeneration.