Cells (Jul 2023)

Adult Multipotent Cardiac Progenitor-Derived Spheroids: A Reproducible Model of In Vitro Cardiomyocyte Commitment and Specification

  • Mariangela Scalise,
  • Fabiola Marino,
  • Luca Salerno,
  • Nunzia Amato,
  • Claudia Quercia,
  • Chiara Siracusa,
  • Andrea Filardo,
  • Antonio Chiefalo,
  • Loredana Pagano,
  • Giuseppe Misdea,
  • Nadia Salerno,
  • Antonella De Angelis,
  • Konrad Urbanek,
  • Giuseppe Viglietto,
  • Daniele Torella,
  • Eleonora Cianflone

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12131793
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 13
p. 1793

Abstract

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Background: Three-dimensional cell culture systems hold great promise for bridging the gap between in vitro cell-based model systems and small animal models to study tissue biology and disease. Among 3D cell culture systems, stem-cell-derived spheroids have attracted significant interest as a strategy to better mimic in vivo conditions. Cardiac stem cell/progenitor (CSC)-derived spheroids (CSs) provide a relevant platform for cardiac regeneration. Methods: We compared three different cell culture scaffold-free systems, (i) ultra-low attachment plates, (ii) hanging drops (both requiring a 2D/3D switch), and (iii) agarose micro-molds (entirely 3D), for CSC-derived CS formation and their cardiomyocyte commitment in vitro. Results: The switch from a 2D to a 3D culture microenvironment per se guides cell plasticity and myogenic differentiation within CS and is necessary for robust cardiomyocyte differentiation. On the contrary, 2D monolayer CSC cultures show a significant reduced cardiomyocyte differentiation potential compared to 3D CS culture. Forced aggregation into spheroids using hanging drop improves CS myogenic differentiation when compared to ultra-low attachment plates. Performing CS formation and myogenic differentiation exclusively in 3D culture using agarose micro-molds maximizes the cardiomyocyte yield. Conclusions: A 3D culture system instructs CS myogenic differentiation, thus representing a valid model that can be used to study adult cardiac regenerative biology.

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