In vitro method of differentiating a human pluripotent stem cell population into a cardiomyocyte cell population
The current invention relates to a method of differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into a human stem-cell derived population of cardiomyocytes. The method comprises the use of specific combination of steps and compounds to induce and/or promote differentiation. The method also comprises steps directed to further maturation of the cardiomyocytes obtained with the method of the invention. Also provided are kits for use in a method of differentiation as well as cell populations obtainable with the method disclosed.
1 . A composition comprising a pluripotent stem cell (PSC) population in an aqueous media with a first compound that stimulates betacatenin degradation and a second compound that suppresses phosphorylation of dishevelled 2 , wherein the first compound is a tankyrase inhibitor that comprises XAV-939 and the second compound is a porcupine inhibitor that comprises IWP-L6, and wherein the XAV-939 is in a concentration of from 1 μM to about 10 μM and the IWP-L6 is in a concentration of from 0.25 μM to about 2 μM.
2 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is effective to produce a cardiomyocyte cell population in which at least 80% of the cells express the ventricular cardiomyocyte marker mlc2v.
3 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is effective to produce a cardiomyocyte cell population in which at least 70% of the cells express the ventricular cardiomyocyte marker mlc2v.