3D Spheroids — a Cellular Model for Studying the Effects of Hypoxia on the Epicardial Microenvironment

Fundamental research in recent years has allowed us to reassess the molecular and cellular mechanisms of cardiac ontogenesis its repair after damage. The epicardium, outer, tightly adjoining layer wall formed by epicardial mesothelial cells, collagen elastic fibers, gained special relevance as an important participant reparative processes. Better insight into poorly understood function is challenged due anatomical issues lack relevant models. aim this study was develop a spheroid 3D model microenvironment determine responses spheroids hypoxia. Materials methods. Spheroids were harvested V-shaped culture dishes with low adhesion coating. Immunofluorescent staining cryosections, histological methods real-time PCR used for characterization cultured spheroids. Results. We demonstrated that cultivation cells under conditions resulted formation average size 136+21 µm cell viability rates over 98%. normoxic tight junctions characterized level proliferation ability synthesize extracellular matrix proteins. Under hypoxia showed partial loss intercellular contacts, acquired spindle shape, started express HIF1a, SNAIL, COL1Al accumulate collagen. All these features activation mesothelial(endothelial)-mesenchymal transition strongly resembling ischemia vivo. Conclusion. An suitable hypoxic environment developed. This can be clarify regulating test new targeted candidate drugs.