OXYTOCIN AS CARDIOMYOGENESIS INDUCER AND USES THEREOF

摘要

The invention relates to oxytocin and oxytocin-related compounds and functional derivatives thereof, and uses thereof to induce differentiation of a non-cardiomyocyte (e.g. a stem/progenitor cell) to a cardiomyocyte. The invention further relates to the methods of prevention or treatment of conditions characterized by or associated with a cardiomyocyte loss or deficiency, by administration of oxytocin or an oxytocin-related compound or a functional derivative thereof to a subject, or via the administration/transplantation of a cell differentiated ex vivo by a method of the invention. The invention further relates to methods, uses, commercial packages and culture media relating to such differentiation and prevention/treatment.