Culturing of Cardiac Cells in 3D Spheroids Modulates Their Expression Profile and Increases Secretion of Proangiogenic Growth Factors

We studied the effect of 3D-culturing of cells in the form of cardiospheres on the expression of genes encoding vascular progenitor cell markers and angiogenesis regulators and on the production of proangiogenic factors. Cardiospheres were obtained by culturing mouse cardiac explants followed by self-assembly on poly-D-lysine. Gene expression was assessed by real-time PCR, and the production of proangiogenic factors was assessed by Microarray analysis of the cell secretome. It was found that cells in the cardiospheres in comparison with 2D-culture of cardiosphere-forming cells demonstrated increased expression of vascular progenitor cell markers (Pdgfr alpha, Kit, and Vegfr1) and angiogenesis regulatory factors (Vegf, Fgf2, and Angpt1), as well as an enhanced secretion of proangiogenic factors (ANGPT1, VEGF, CXCL16, and PIGF-2). Thus, culturing of cells in the form of cardiospheres can be considered as a basis for developing approaches to increasing their angiogenic activity and regenerative properties.