A Small Molecule that Promotes Cardiac Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells under Defined, Cytokine- and Xeno-free Conditions

In this study, the report of a small molecule that promotes cardiac differentiation of hPSCs. By using this chemical, a xeno-free and cytokine-free cardiac differentiation protocol were achieved. In a part of the study cardiac differentiation on the surface coating with gelatin or human laminin-211. Cell attachment on gelatin or laminin-211 is essential for efficient differentiation, suggesting that mechanotransduction or integrin signaling from interaction with these substrates might be important. iPSCs were differentiated into cardiac colonies on human laminin 211-coated dishes in cytokine-free and xeno-free defined medium containing HAS.