Spheroid three-dimensional culture enhances Notch signaling in cardiac progenitor cells

: Mauretti A, Rossi F, Bax NAM, Miano C, Miraldi F, Goumans MJ, Messina E, Giacomello A, Bouten CVC, Sahlgren C

Publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS

: 2017

: MRS Communications

: MRS COMMUNICATIONS

: MRS COMMUN

: 7

: 3

: 496

: 501

: 6

: 2159-6859

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/mrc.2017.82

Cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) are a promising candidate for cardiac regeneration, and the interaction between CPCs and their microenvironment can influence their regenerative response. Notch signaling plays a key role in cell fate decisions in the developing and adult heart. Here, we investigated the effect of three-dimensional (3D) spheroid culture, as a model of the 3D microenvironment, on Notch in fetal and adult human CPCs, under room air (20%) and physiological (5%) oxygen tension. Notch signaling is enhanced in 3D spheroids; spheroid culture under 5% O-2 further increases Notch signaling enhancement, and might ultimately improve the regenerative potential of CPCs.