The Rho-ROCK-myosin II signaling pathway is involved in the regulation of actin-myosin contractility and stress fiber formation. Our objective was to examine the role of the Rho-ROCK-myosin II pathway in embryonic stem cell (ESC) differentiation towards cell types of the mesodermal lineage. Murine ESCs were grown as embryoid bodies (EBs) in the presence or absence of inhibitors for ROCK (Y27632, 3.5 �g/mL) or myosin II (Blebbistatin, 7 �g/mL). EB size and shape were altered due to treatment with ROCK- or myosin II inhibitors. Furthermore, expression of E-cadherin, a cell-cell adhesion protein usually continuously expressed along the epithelial outer layer of EBs, was disrupted in treated samples. In addition, early (PDGRFa) and later (RUNX1, CD41, NKX2.5) markers of mesodermal specification were upregulated significantly (p<0.05) in treated samples. These studies indicate that the ability to generate force during early development may alter the commitment of cells in the mechanoresponsive mesodermal lineage.

Role of cytoskeleton contractility in differentiation towards mesoderm cell phenotypes

245th National Meeting (2013)

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