Concomitant Activation of miR-107/PDCD10 and Hypoxamir-210/Casp8ap2 and Their Role in Cytoprotection During Ischemic Preconditioning of Stem Cells

Abstract Aims: To establish a functional link between microRNA-107 (miR-107) and stem cell survival during ischemic preconditioning (IPC) of stem cells with multiple cycles of brief anoxia/re-oxygenation (10 or 30?min, one to three cycles) and show that the cytoprotective effects were independent of hypoxamir-210. Results: We demonstrated the induction of miR-107 in response to the IPC-induced activation of Akt/hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in preconditioned mesenchymal stem cells ((PC)MSC), which showed improved survival during subsequent exposure to 6?h of lethal anoxia (p<0.05 vs. non-preconditioned MSC[(non-PC)MSC]). In silico analysis and luciferase activity assay confirmed programmed cell death-10 (PDCD10) as a putative target of miR-107 in (PC)MSC, which was significantly reduced during IPC and inversely related to stem cell survival under 6?h of lethal anoxia. Loss-of-function studies with miR-107 antagomir showed a significantly reduced survival of (PC)MSC. A comparison of miR-107 and miR-210 showed that both miRs participated independently via their respective putative target genes Pdcd10 and Casp8ap2. The simultaneous abrogation of Pdcd10 and Casp8ap2 had a stronger effect on (PC)MSC survival under lethal anoxia. The transplantation of (PC)MSC in an acute model of myocardial infarction showed a significantly improved survival of transplanted (PC)MSC with concomitantly enhanced miR-107 expression in (PC)MSC-transplanted animal hearts. Innovation: Cytoprotection afforded by IPC is regulated by miR-107 induction via Pdcd10 independent of miR-210/Casp8ap2 signaling, and the simultaneous abrogation miR-107/miR-210 has a stronger effect on the loss of (PC)MSC survival. Conclusion: IPC enhances stem cell survival via the combined participation of hypoxia responsive miRs miR-107 and miR-210 via their respective putative target genes Pdcd10 and Casp8ap2. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 00, 000-000.     

Enhancement of MSC adhesion and therapeutic efficiency in ischemic heart using lentivirus delivery with periostin

Many approaches have shown beneficial effects of modified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for treatment of infarcted myocardium, but have primarily focused on enhancing the survival of transplanted MSCs. Here, we show the dual benefits of periostin-overexpressing MSCs (p-MSCs) for infarcted myocardium. P-MSCs led to the marked histological and functional recovery of infarcted myocardium by enhancing survival of MSCs and directly preventing apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. Survival of p-MSCs themselves and cardiomyocytes co-cultured with p-MSCs or treated with the conditioned media from p-MSCs was significantly increased under hypoxic conditions. Decreases in adhesion-related integrins were reversed in cardiomyocytes co-cultured with p-MSCs, followed by increases in p-PI3K and Akt, indicating that periostin activates the PI3K pathway through adhesion-related integrins. When p-MSCs were injected into myocardial infarcted rats, histological pathology and cardiac function were significantly improved compared to MSC-injected controls. Thus, periostin might be a new target of therapeutic treatments using MSCs as carriers for infarcted myocardium.     

New directions in strategies using cell therapy for heart disease

Congestive heart failure remains a major public health problem and is frequently the end result of cardiomyocyte apoptosis and fibrous replacement after myocardial infarction, a process referred to as left ventricular remodeling. Cardiomyocytes undergo terminal differentiation soon after birth and are generally considered to irreversibly withdraw from the cell cycle. In response to ischemic insult adult cardiomyocytes undergo cellular hypertrophy, nuclear ploidy, and a high degree of apoptosis. A small number of human cardiomyocytes retain the capacity to proliferate and regenerate in response to ischemic injury. However, whether these cells are derived from a resident pool of cardiomyocyte stem cells or from a renewable source of circulating bone marrow-derived stem cells that home to the damaged myocardium is at present not known. Replacement and regeneration of functional cardiac muscle after an ischemic insult to the heart could be achieved by either stimulating proliferation of endogenous mature cardiomyocytes or resident cardiac stem cells or by implanting exogenous donor-derived or allogeneic cells such as fetal or embryonic cardiomyocyte precursors, bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells, or skeletal myoblasts. The newly formed cardiomyocytes must integrate precisely into the existing myocardial wall in order to augment synchronized contractility and avoid potentially life-threatening alterations in the electrical conduction of the heart. A major impediment to survival of the implanted cells is altered immunogenicity by prolonged ex vivo culture conditions. In addition, concurrent myocardial revascularization is required to ensure viability of the repaired region and prevent further scar tissue formation. Human adult bone marrow contains endothelial precursors which resemble embryonic angioblasts and can be used to induce infarct bed neovascularization after experimental myocardial infarction. This results in protection of cardiomyocytes against apoptosis, induction of cardiomyocyte proliferation and regeneration, long-term salvage and survival of viable myocardium, prevention of left ventricular remodeling, and sustained improvement in cardiac function. It is reasonable to anticipate that cell therapy strategies for ischemic heart disease will need to incorporate (a) a renewable source of proliferating, functional cardiomyocytes, and (b) angioblasts to generate a network of capillaries and larger size blood vessels for supply of oxygen and nutrients to both the chronically ischemic endogenous myocardium and to the newly implanted cardiomyocytes     

血红素氧化酶-1在离体大鼠心肌缺血预处理中的作用

目的：观察缺血预处理对离体大鼠心肌缺血再灌注后心功能、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）活性和丙二醛（MDA）含量及血红素氧化酶-1活性的影响。方法：应用Langendorff离体大鼠等容收缩灌流模型行离体大鼠心脏灌流。缺血预处理方案为停灌5 min后再灌5 min反复3次,持续缺血再灌方案为停灌40 min后再灌20 min,监测正常对照组、缺血再灌组（IR）和缺血预处理组（IPC）心功能指标的同时,测定冠脉流出液LDH活性、心肌MDA含量和HO-1活性变化。结果：IPC组再灌20 min时的心功能恢复率显著高于IR组（P<0.01）,心肌血红素氧化酶-1活性也明显高于IR组（P<0.05）,而LDH活性及MDA含量显著少于IR组（均为P<0.01）。结论：血红素氧化酶-1活性增高可能与缺血预处理对大鼠缺血再灌心肌的保护作用有关。     

microRNA-34a在低切应力诱导血管平滑肌细胞增殖中的作用

目的探讨micro RNA-34a(mi R-34a)在低切应力诱导血管平滑肌细胞(vascular smooth muscle cells,VSMCs)增殖中的作用。方法应用细胞联合培养平行平板流动腔系统对与VSMCs联合培养的内皮细胞(endothelial cells,ECs)施加1.5 Pa正常切应力(normal shear stress,NSS)和0.5 Pa低切应力(low shear stress,Low SS),加载时间为12 h。Western blotting检测联合培养VSMCs的增殖细胞核抗原(proliferating cell nuclear antigen,PCNA)蛋白表达,以此反映VSMCs的增殖能力。实时PCR检测联合培养VSMCs的mi R-34a表达变化。通过Target Scan、mi RWalk等网站预测mi R-34a的下游靶蛋白。Western blotting检测联合培养VSMCs的mi R-34a靶蛋白Forkhead转录因子J2(forkhead box j2,Foxj2)表达。通过mimics和inhibitor转染技术,分别上调和抑制VSMCs的mi R-34a表达,Western blotting检测Foxj2及PCNA的表达变化,验证mi R-34a和Foxj2之间的调控关系。结果与NSS相比,Low SS促进联合培养VSMCs的PCNA表达,并显著上调联合培养VSMCs的mi R-34a表达。通过Target Scan、mi RWalk等网站预测mi R-34a的下游靶蛋白为Foxj2。Low SS加载下联合培养VSMCs的mi R-34a靶蛋白Foxj2表达明显降低。静态条件下上调VSMCs的mi R-34a表达,靶蛋白Foxj2表达明显降低,PCNA表达显著升高;抑制VSMCs的mi R-34a表达,靶蛋白Foxj2表达明显上调,PCNA表达显著降低。结论 Low SS通过调控联合培养VSMCs的mi R-34a和靶蛋白Foxj2,促进VSMCs增殖。研究结果为进一步阐明动脉粥样硬化疾病的发病机制及药物治疗靶标提供新的力学生物学实验依据。     

Non-hypoxic stabilization of HIF-Iα during coordinated interaction between Akt and angiopoietin-1 enhances endothelial commitment of bone marrow stem cells

We previously reported that mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) co-expressing Akt and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) preserved infarcted heart function via angiomyogenesis. The present study determined the mechanism of co-overexpression of Akt and Ang-1 in promoting endothelial commitment of MSC. The cells were transduced with vectors encoding for Akt ((Akt)MSC), Ang-1 ((Ang-1)MSC), and both Akt and Ang-1 ((AA)MSC) using Empty vector transduced MSC ((Emp)MSC) as control. Molecular studies indicated a coordinated interaction between Akt and Ang-1 in (AA)MSC and led to non-hypoxic stabilization of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-Iα) which accentuated under 4-h anoxia. We also observed HIF-Iα dependent induction of hemeoxygenase-1, endothelial specific markers and VEGF in (AA)MSC. Vascular commitment of (AA)MSC was confirmed by immunostaining, Western blotting and flow cytometry for endothelial specific early and late markers including Flt1, Flk1, Tie2, VCAM-1, and von Willebrand Factor-VIII (vWF-VIII) in HIF-Iα dependent fashion besides exhibiting higher emigrational activity and angiogenesis in vitro. (AA)MSC transplanted into rat model of myocardial infarction showed higher Flk1 and Flt1 positivity and also promoted intrinsic Flk1(+) and Flt1(+) cell mobilization into the infarcted heart. Given the ease of availability of MSC and simplicity of approach to co-overexpress Ang-1 and Akt to enhance their endothelial commitment, the strategy will be significant for cellular angiogenesis to treat ischemic heart.     

心脏硫酸腺嘌呤预处理大鼠心肌微循环及胶原纤维的变化

目的：观察经典缺血预处理及硫酸腺嘌呤预处理大鼠心肌微循环及心肌问质胶原纤维的变化并探讨其意义。方法：大鼠分假手术组(S)、缺血再灌注组(1／R)、经典缺血预处理组(IPC)、硫酸腺嘌呤预处理组(ASP)，通过电镜二维图像立体计量法，测量心肌毛细血管横截面积，并观察问质胶原纤维的变化。结果：S组、IPC组与ASP组心肌毛细血管的横截面积显著大于I／R组。与I／R组相比较，IPC、ASP组心脏胶原纤维明显增加。结论：心脏经典缺血预处理与硫酸腺嘌呤预处理均能明显扩张心肌间质中血管及促进心脏胶原明显增多。4     

Exosome-mediated transfer of miR-133b from multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells to neural cells contributes to neurite outgrowth

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have potential therapeutic benefit for the treatment of neurological diseases and injury. MSCs interact with and alter brain parenchymal cells by direct cell-cell communication and/or by indirect secretion of factors and thereby promote functional recovery. In this study, we found that MSC treatment of rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) significantly increased microRNA 133b (miR-133b) level in the ipsilateral hemisphere. In vitro, miR-133b levels in MSCs and in their exosomes increased after MSCs were exposed to ipsilateral ischemic tissue extracts from rats subjected to MCAo. miR-133b levels were also increased in primary cultured neurons and astrocytes treated with the exosome-enriched fractions released from these MSCs. Knockdown of miR-133b in MSCs confirmed that the increased miR-133b level in astrocytes is attributed to their transfer from MSCs. Further verification of this exosome-mediated intercellular communication was performed using a cel-miR-67 luciferase reporter system and an MSC-astrocyte coculture model. Cel-miR-67 in MSCs was transferred to astrocytes via exosomes between 50 and 100 nm in diameter. Our data suggest that the cel-miR-67 released from MSCs was primarily contained in exosomes. A gap junction intercellular communication inhibitor arrested the exosomal microRNA communication by inhibiting exosome release. Cultured neurons treated with exosome-enriched fractions from MSCs exposed to 72 hours post-MCAo brain extracts significantly increased the neurite branch number and total neurite length. This study provides the first demonstration that MSCs communicate with brain parenchymal cells and may regulate neurite outgrowth by transfer of miR-133b to neural cells via exosomes.     

基于microRNA差异表达探讨恶性纤维组织细胞瘤致病机制

目的 应用芯片表达分析技术探讨miRNA在恶性纤维组织细胞瘤发病机制中的作用.方法 利用miRCURYTM LNA miRNA表达谱芯片技术高通量筛选NMFH1与MSC、HSF、MRC-5和HT-1080细胞系差异表达miRNA,筛选靶基因,分析调控作用机制.结果 筛查NMFH1与4种对照组细胞系差异表达miRNA,选取与所有正常样本对比均下调miR-222、miR-186及miR-933,均上调miR-886-3p、miR-886-5p、miR-183、miR-340及miR-BART7进行qRT-PCR实验,验证芯片数据可靠性.基于生物信息学方法挖掘miRNA靶基因,构建基因调控网络,基于功能组注释信息分析NMFH1风险疾病基因及通路,揭示MFH恶性病变机制.结论 miRNA在肿瘤样本与正常细胞系间显著差异表达,是参与MFH发生发展过程的重要调控因子,发挥负调控基因表达作用,使肿瘤细胞逃避正常生长调控机制,无限增殖和转移,出现恶性表型.     

基因修饰干细胞治疗缺血性心脏病的现状与前景

背景：基因技术联合干细胞植入治疗缺血性心脏病是继单纯干细胞治疗后的一大热点。 目的：归纳总结基因修饰及干细胞治疗缺血性心脏病的研究现状。 方法：计算机检索PubMed数据库中2000-01/2010-12期间相关文献,检索词为 “genetic,stem cells,myocardial infarction”。选择与基因修饰联合干细胞治疗缺血性心脏病密切相关的的29篇文献进行综述。 结果与结论：不同功能的基因对干细胞和/或周围环境进行修饰,改善干细胞及相应的性状,以提高移植干细胞的存活能力、促进缺血心肌及周围的血管新生、改善血管顺应性、增加与宿主心肌细胞的耦联、增强干细胞趋化归巢作用等,提高干细胞治疗缺血性心脏病的效果。随着基因技术与干细胞应用的不断发展,可能在缺血性心脏的临床治疗方面得到广泛的应用。     

微量去甲肾上腺素预处理对大鼠缺血/再灌注心肌的保护作用

目的：观察比较支甲肾上腺素预处理与经典缺血预处理对大鼠缺血／再灌注心脏的保护作用。方法：将实验动物分为对照组、缺血／再灌注组,经典缺血预处理和去甲肾上腺素预处理４组在相应时点分别测定心肌梗塞面积心功能,观察心肌超微结构,线粒体内膜标志酶损伤性反应及热休克蛋白７０、ｍＲＮＡ表达的变化。     

Bone marrow fibroblasts overexpress miR-27b and miR-214 in step with multiple myeloma progression,dependent on tumour cell-derived exosomes

Aberrant microRNA (miR) expression has an important role in tumour progression, but its involvement in bone marrow fibroblasts of multiple myeloma patients remains undefined. We demonstrate that a specific miR profile in bone marrow fibroblasts parallels the transition from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) to myeloma. Overexpression of miR-27b-3p and miR-214-3p triggers proliferation and apoptosis resistance in myeloma fibroblasts via the FBXW7 and PTEN/AKT/GSK3 pathways, respectively. Transient transfection of miR-27b-3p and miR-214-3p inhibitors demonstrates a cooperation between these two miRNAs in the expression of the anti-apoptotic factor MCL1, suggesting that miR-27b-3p and miR-214-3p negatively regulate myeloma fibroblast apoptosis. Furthermore, myeloma cells modulate miR-27b-3p and miR-214-3p expression in fibroblasts through the release of exosomes. Indeed, tumour cell-derived exosomes induce an overexpression of both miRNAs in MGUS fibroblasts not through a simple transfer mechanism but by de novo synthesis triggered by the transfer of exosomal WWC2 protein that regulates the Hippo pathway. Increased levels of miR-27b-3p and miR-214-3p in MGUS fibroblasts co-cultured with myeloma cell-derived exosomes enhance the expression of fibroblast activation markers αSMA and FAP. These data show that the MGUS-to-myeloma transition entails an aberrant miRNA profile in marrow fibroblasts and highlight a key role of myeloma cells in modifying the bone marrow microenvironment by reprogramming the marrow fibroblasts' behaviour. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

过表达miR-32削弱多氯联苯抑制P19细胞向心肌细胞的分化

BACKGROUND:Polychlorinated biphenyls inhibit the differentiation of P19 cells into cardiomyocytes. In the meanwhile, microRNAs play an important role in regulating cell differentiation. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of microRNA-32(miR-32) on the polychlorinated biphenyls-inhibited differentiation of P19 cells into cardiomyocytes. METHODS:P19 cells were co-cultured with 2.5 μmol/L polychlorinated biphenyls and 1% dimethyl sulfoxide. Afterwards, α-actinin, desmin, cTnI and GATA4 were identified by western blot assay. Wddwxrof polychlorinated biphenyls on the expression of miR-32 was evaluated by real-time PCR. Mouse eukaryotic vector expressing miR-32 was constructed by gene recombination technology, and transfected into P19 cells followed by co-cultured with 2.5 μmol/L polychlorinated biphenyls and 1% dimethyl sulfoxide. Then, expressions of differentiation-related proteins were detected by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Polychlorinated biphenyls inhibited the differentiation of P19 cells into cardio myocytes and decreased the miR-32 expression. Cell lines overexpressing miR-32 was successfully established in mice. Furthermore, we found that overexpression of miR-32 weakens the inhibition of polychlorinated biphenyls to the differentiation of P19 cells into cardiomyocytes.     

Ischemic preconditioning triggers nuclear translocation of thioredoxin and its interaction with Ref-1 potentiating a survival signal through the PI-3-kinase-Akt pathway

Thioredoxin (Trx-1), a key mediator of cellular redox homeostasis and cell survival, is implicated in redox signaling in the ischemic myocardium. To investigate further its mechanism of action, Trx expression in rat heart was suppressed by direct injection of small hairpin RNA against Trx-1 (shRNA-Trx-1). Forty-eight hours after treatment, hearts were excised for isolated working-heart preparation. A group of hearts was preconditioned (PC) by subjecting them to four cyclic episodes of 5-min ischemia, each followed by 10 min of reperfusion. All the hearts, PC or non-PC, were subjected to 30-min ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion. As expected, the PC hearts exhibited improved ventricular function, reduced infarct size, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Also in PC hearts, an increase was noted in Trx-1 and other cardioprotective and redox-regulated proteins like Ref-1, phospho-Akt, and NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity. PC also caused nuclear translocation of Trx-1 and Ref-1 followed by their association. However, in hearts treated with shRNA-Trx 1, the cardioprotective effects of PC were abolished along with a concomitant decrease in nuclear localized Trx-1 and Ref-1, along with a decrease in phospho-Akt and NF-kappaB. These results demonstrate that PC triggers translocation of Trx-1 into the nucleus, where it becomes associated with Ref-1 and performs redox signaling through the activation of NF-kappaB and an increase in prosurvival signal inducer phospho-Akt.     

Reduction of myocardial scar size after implantation of mesenchymal stem cells in rats: what is the mechanism?

The use of a cellular therapy offers a promising approach for the treatment of heart disease. Besides other precursor cells, bone marrow (BM)-derived stem cells were discovered that migrate into ischemic myocardium and participate in myogenesis as well as angiogenesis. A subpopulation of those are the mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), which may be potential candidates for repairing ischemic heart tissue. MSC are easy to prepare and can be used in an autologous strategy. Here we demonstrate the effect of transplanted MSC in our autologous rat model of myocardial injury. BM was isolated from tibiae and femurs of Wistar rats. After 24 h, the adhering MSC were separated, expanded, retrovirally transduced using green fluorescent protein (GFP), and cloned. A cryo-infarct was generated in the rat hearts, and immediately after this the cells were injected into the border zone of the lesion. After a 10-week follow up, the hearts were excised and the myocardial scar areas were measured using computer-guided morphometry. When comparing transplanted rats (n = 8) with control animals (n = 5) treated rats demonstrated a significant reduction in the width (p < 0.05) of the myocardial scar area. The depth of the scars of the cell therapy rats was less extended (p > 0.05) and the myocardium of these animals was thicker than in the controls (p > 0.05). Immunohistochemical analyses revealed neither evidence of MSC transdifferentiation into cardiomyocytes, nor could an increased neovascularization be found. In conclusion, MSC are responsible for a remarkable reduction of the myocardial scar size in the treated animals. But, whether this strategy is directly transferable to the patient suffering from heart disease has to be determined. In addition, the mechanism by which MSC act in the ischemic heart remains to be determined.     

低氧增强骨髓间充质干细胞对缺氧诱导心肌细胞凋亡的可能性

背景：骨髓间充质干细胞移植入缺血心肌后存活率低,而低氧有可能增强骨髓间充质干细胞的增殖,促进其存活。 目的：体外模拟心肌细胞缺血微环境,探索低氧预处理后,骨髓间充质干细胞对持续缺氧诱导的心肌细胞凋亡的保护作用。 方法：取第4代SD大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞用于制备条件培养液。取胚胎大鼠心肌细胞株,随机分成4组：对照组：心肌细胞正常培养组;模型组：心肌细胞单纯缺氧;骨髓间充质干细胞组：心肌细胞与骨髓间充质干细胞条件培养液共缺氧;低氧组：心肌细胞与骨髓间充质干细胞低氧条件培养液共缺氧。MTT检测各组细胞活力变化,Annexin V-FITC双染标记心肌细胞凋亡,免疫组化检测各组Bax和Bcl-2蛋白的表达。 结果与结论：免疫组化显示,低氧组的Bcl-2表达较其他各组增强,而Bax的表达比模型组和骨髓间充质干细胞组减弱,Bcl-2/Bax比值最大。与对照组和骨髓间充质干细胞组相比,低氧组的细胞活力高(P < 0.05),凋亡率降低(P < 0.05)。提示低氧可能是通过增强旁分泌机制,从而对Bax和Bcl-2进行调节,对心肌细胞凋亡有保护效应。     

Paracrine effect of Wnt11-overexpressing mesenchymal stem cells on ischemic injury

Our previous studies have suggested that transduction of Wnt11 directly increases bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiation into cardiac phenotypes. In this study, we investigated whether Wnt11 enhances MSC-mediated cardioprotection via paracrine fashion after acute ischemia. MSCs were harvested from male rat bone marrow and transduced with Wnt11 (MSC(Wnt11)). An acute myocardial infarction model in rats was developed by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. MSC(Wnt11) were transplanted into the peri-infarct region after acute myocardial infarction. To mimic ischemic injury, cultured cardiomyocytes (CMs) isolated from neonatal ventricles were exposed to hypoxia. ELISA studies indicated that the release of Wnt11 (3.45-fold) as well as transforming growth factor-β2 (TGFβ2) (1.5-fold) was significantly increased from MSC(Wnt11) compared with transduced control MSC (MSC(Null)). Hypoxia-induced apoptosis and cell death was significantly reduced when CM were co-cultured with MSC(Wnt11) in a dual chamber system. The cell protection mediated by MSC(Wnt11) was mimicked by treating CM with conditioned medium obtained from MSC(Wnt11) and abrogated by Wnt11- and TGFβ2 neutralizing antibodies. Further, animals receiving MSC(Wnt11) showed a significant improvement in cardiac contractile function as assessed by echocardiography. Masson trichrome and TUNEL staining showed a significant reduction in infarct size and apoptosis of CM in MSC(Wnt11)-treated animals. Transplantation of MSC(Wnt11) improved cardiac function. The release of Wnt11 and other factors from transplanted MSC(Wnt11) is more likely responsible for protection of native CM at risk.     

Myosin-activating protein kinases are possible regulators of nonmuscle myosin in developing human heart

We studied the localization of myosin-activating protein kinases in cardiomyocytes obtained from fetal human heart at 8–9 weeks gestation. It was found that at this developmental stage, smooth muscle/nonmuscle myosin light chain kinase (MLCK, 108 kDa) and its high-molecular weight isoform (MLCK, 210 kDa), skeletal MLCK and death-associated protein kinase (DAPK) are co-localized with nonmuscle myosin IIB in the premyofibrils. The data obtained suggest that cardiac nonmuscle myosin at 8–9 weeks gestation may serve as the substrate of the studied myosin-activating protein kinases that are likely to cooperatively regulate the formation of myofibrils. We revealed high-molecular weight isoform of smooth muscle/nonmuscle kinase MLCK-210 in developing human heart and determined the ratios of MLCK-108 and MLCK-210 at different gestational stages. In this case, the approximate time period of changes in these isoforms ratio was revealed (between 8–9 and 13 weeks), that can be associated with functional changes in the developing myocardium.