Microcurrent-Mediated Modulation of Myofibroblasts for Cardiac Repair and Regeneration

Myofibroblasts are one of the key cell types in cardiac injuries, leading to scar tissue formation and reduced heart function. To investigate the impact of microcurrent treatment on these cells, primary rat cardiac fibroblasts were initially differentiated into myofibroblasts. Subsequently, the differentiated myofibroblasts were subjected to microcurrent treatment at 1 and 2 µA/cm2 direct current (DC) with and without polarity reversal. Microcurrent treatments resulted in distinct transcriptional signatures and improved cell behavior. The observations show signs of microcurrent-mediated reversal of myofibroblast phenotype, possibly reducing cardiac fibrosis, and providing insights for cardiac tissue repair. Four sample groups were analyzed: (1) rat neonatal cardiac fibroblasts (CF, starting cells), (2) rat myofibroblasts (MF, differentiated from cardiac fibroblasts), (3) differentiated myofibroblasts treated with 1 μA/cm2 microcurrents (1μA) and (4) differentiated myofibroblasts treated with 2 μA/cm2 microcurrents (2μA). Two biological replicates were included for each sample group.