L-Time PCRFor quantitative analysis on GATA-4, ANF, and a-MHC expressions, real-time PCR using above MedChemExpress Cy5 NHS Ester primers (detailed in Table S1) was performed as described previously [32]. Briefly, the processes of RNA extraction and reverse transcription of RNA (1 mg) were the same to Semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Real-time RT-PCR amplification reactions was performed in a final volume of 20 mL containing 50 ng cDNA, 10 mL of 26 iQSYBR-green mix (Takara, Japan), 300 nmol of forward and reverse primersAn Indirect Co-Culture Model for ESCsusing the LineGene 9660 real-time PCR Detection System (Bioer, China). The thermal cycling conditions comprised 95uC for 10 sec, 1 min at the corresponding annealing temperature, 53uC for 10 sec and 72uC for 40 sec. These settings were applied for 50 cycles. Specificity of amplification was determined by DNA melting curve during gradual temperature increments (0.5uC). The transcripts for GAPDH were used for internal normalization. Relative quantification was performed by the ggCT method.Confocal MicroscopyEB outgrowths were fixed in 4 paraformaldehyde for 30 min, permeabilized for 15 min with 0.25 Triton X-100, and blocked in 5 normal goat serum (NGS) for 15 min. Subsequently, cells were incubated with the primary antibody in a humidified chamber at 37uC for 2 h. Rabbit anti-cardiac troponin I (cTnI) antibody (Santa Cruz, CA) and anti-a-actinin antibody (sigma) were added at dilutions of 1:250 and 1:400, respectively. After washed with 0.4 Triton X-100 and PBS, cells were incubated at 37uC for 4 h to corresponding FITC-conjugated or Cy3-conjugated secondary antibodies at a dilution of 1:400. DAPI staining (Sigma, 1:1000) was used to identify nuclei. Analysis was performed using a confocal microscope (FV1000, Olympus).stained with annexin-V and 7-amino-actinomycin D (7-AAD) for 15 minutes according to the manufacturer’s instructions (BD Pharmingen). Within 1 hour after staining, cells were 15755315 analyzed by flow cytometry using CellQuest software (Becton Dickinson). For cell proliferation assay, the samples were pulsed with 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) at 10 mmol/L for 18 hours before co-staining for BrdU and a-actinin. Rabbit anti-BrdU antibody (Santa Cruz, CA) and mouse anti-a-actinin antibody (sigma) were added at dilutions of 1:500 and 1:400, respectively. After washed with 0.4 Triton X-100 and PBS, cells were incubated at 37uC for 2 h to corresponding FITC-conjugated or Cy3-conjugated secondary antibodies at a dilution of 1:400. The cells were counterstained with DAPI (Sigma, 1:1000) and analyzed using a fluorescence microscope. The experiments were repeated at least three times.Statistical MedChemExpress CPI-203 AnalysisThe ESC differentiation experiments were performed at least three times. All values are presented as mean6SEM. One-way ANOVA followed by Newman Keuls test was used for multiple comparisons. Differences with p,0.05 were considered statistically significant.Supporting Information b-Adrenergic StimulationThe functional expression of ?adrenergic receptors of ESCMs was tested as described previously [33]. The relative homogeneous beating EB outgrowths were chosen to study their response to adrenergic stimulation by isoproterenol. Contractions per minute of the EB outgrowths were measured under basal conditions and then after superfusion with 1 mmol/L isoproterenol. 10 sec after isoproterenol was added, we begin to assess the beating frequency for 5 min. The increase of beating frequencies in co-culture group was compared with con.L-Time PCRFor quantitative analysis on GATA-4, ANF, and a-MHC expressions, real-time PCR using above primers (detailed in Table S1) was performed as described previously [32]. Briefly, the processes of RNA extraction and reverse transcription of RNA (1 mg) were the same to Semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Real-time RT-PCR amplification reactions was performed in a final volume of 20 mL containing 50 ng cDNA, 10 mL of 26 iQSYBR-green mix (Takara, Japan), 300 nmol of forward and reverse primersAn Indirect Co-Culture Model for ESCsusing the LineGene 9660 real-time PCR Detection System (Bioer, China). The thermal cycling conditions comprised 95uC for 10 sec, 1 min at the corresponding annealing temperature, 53uC for 10 sec and 72uC for 40 sec. These settings were applied for 50 cycles. Specificity of amplification was determined by DNA melting curve during gradual temperature increments (0.5uC). The transcripts for GAPDH were used for internal normalization. Relative quantification was performed by the ggCT method.Confocal MicroscopyEB outgrowths were fixed in 4 paraformaldehyde for 30 min, permeabilized for 15 min with 0.25 Triton X-100, and blocked in 5 normal goat serum (NGS) for 15 min. Subsequently, cells were incubated with the primary antibody in a humidified chamber at 37uC for 2 h. Rabbit anti-cardiac troponin I (cTnI) antibody (Santa Cruz, CA) and anti-a-actinin antibody (sigma) were added at dilutions of 1:250 and 1:400, respectively. After washed with 0.4 Triton X-100 and PBS, cells were incubated at 37uC for 4 h to corresponding FITC-conjugated or Cy3-conjugated secondary antibodies at a dilution of 1:400. DAPI staining (Sigma, 1:1000) was used to identify nuclei. Analysis was performed using a confocal microscope (FV1000, Olympus).stained with annexin-V and 7-amino-actinomycin D (7-AAD) for 15 minutes according to the manufacturer’s instructions (BD Pharmingen). Within 1 hour after staining, cells were 15755315 analyzed by flow cytometry using CellQuest software (Becton Dickinson). For cell proliferation assay, the samples were pulsed with 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) at 10 mmol/L for 18 hours before co-staining for BrdU and a-actinin. Rabbit anti-BrdU antibody (Santa Cruz, CA) and mouse anti-a-actinin antibody (sigma) were added at dilutions of 1:500 and 1:400, respectively. After washed with 0.4 Triton X-100 and PBS, cells were incubated at 37uC for 2 h to corresponding FITC-conjugated or Cy3-conjugated secondary antibodies at a dilution of 1:400. The cells were counterstained with DAPI (Sigma, 1:1000) and analyzed using a fluorescence microscope. The experiments were repeated at least three times.Statistical AnalysisThe ESC differentiation experiments were performed at least three times. All values are presented as mean6SEM. One-way ANOVA followed by Newman Keuls test was used for multiple comparisons. Differences with p,0.05 were considered statistically significant.Supporting Information b-Adrenergic StimulationThe functional expression of ?adrenergic receptors of ESCMs was tested as described previously [33]. The relative homogeneous beating EB outgrowths were chosen to study their response to adrenergic stimulation by isoproterenol. Contractions per minute of the EB outgrowths were measured under basal conditions and then after superfusion with 1 mmol/L isoproterenol. 10 sec after isoproterenol was added, we begin to assess the beating frequency for 5 min. The increase of beating frequencies in co-culture group was compared with con.