Novel 3D culture system with similarities to the human heart for studies of the cardiac stem cell niche.

Aims: The aim of this study was to develop a 3D culture system with similarities to the human heart, which was suitable for studies of adult cardiac stem or progenitor cells.

Materials & Methods: Dissociated cells from human cardiac biopsies were placed in high-density pellet cultures and cultured for up to 6 weeks. Gene and protein expressions, analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, and morphology were studied in early and late pellets.

Results: Cells cultured in the 3D model showed similarities to human cardiac tissue. Moreover, markers for cardiac stem and progenitor cells were also detected after 6 weeks of culture, in addition to markers for signaling pathways active in stem cell niche regulation.

Conclusions: The described 3D culture model could be a valuable tool when studying the influence of different compounds on proliferation and differentiation processes in cardiac stem or progenitor cells in cardiac regenerative research.