Name: the isolation and culture of primary epicardial cells derived from human adult and fetal heart specimens
Uploaded: 2018-04-24T15:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about The Isolation and Culture of Primary Epicardial Cells Derived from Human Adult and Fetal Heart Specimens at JoVE.com

This research is supported by The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) (VENI 016.146.079) and a LUMC Research fellowship both to AMS, and LUMC Bontius Stichting (MJG).

All experiments with human tissue specimens were approved by the ethics committee of the Leiden University Medical Center and conforms to the Declaration of Helsinki. All steps are performed with sterile equipment in a cell culture flow cabinet.
1. Preparations
<ol>
	<li>Prepare EPDC medium by mixing Dulbecco&#39;s modified Eagle&#39;s medium (DMEM low- glucose) and Medium 199 (M199) in a 1:1 ratio. Add 10% heat inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS, heat inactivated for 25 min at 56 &#1...

<ol>
	<li>Smits, A. M., Dronkers, E., Goumans, M. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+epicardium+as+a+source+of+multipotent+adult+cardiac+progenitor+cells:+Their+origin,+role+and+fate.">The epicardium as a source of multipotent adult cardiac progenitor cells: Their origin, role and fate.</a> Pharmacological research. 127, 129-140 (2017).</li><li>Risebro, C. A., Vieira, J. M., Klotz, L., Riley, P. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characterisation+of+the+human+embryonic+and+foetal+epicardium+during+heart+development.">Characterisation of the human embryonic and foetal epicardium during heart development.</a> Development. 142 (21), 3630-3636 (2015).</li><li>Zhou, B., Ma, Q., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Epicardial+progenitors+contribute+to+the+cardiomyocyte+lineage+in+the+developing+heart.">Epicardial progenitors contribute to the cardiomyocyte lineage in the developing heart.</a> Nature. 454 (7200), 109-113 (2008).</li><li>Smits, A., Riley, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Epicardium-Derived+Heart+Repair.">Epicardium-Derived Heart Repair.</a> Journal of Developmental Biology. 2 (2), 84-100 (2014).</li><li>Chen, T. H. P., Chang, T. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Epicardial+Induction+of+Fetal+Cardiomyocyte+Proliferation+via+a+Retinoic+Acid-Inducible+Trophic+Factor.">Epicardial Induction of Fetal Cardiomyocyte Proliferation via a Retinoic Acid-Inducible Trophic Factor.</a> Developmental Biology. 250 (1), 198-207 (2002).</li><li>Pennisi, D. J., Ballard, V. L. T., Mikawa, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Epicardium+is+required+for+the+full+rate+of+myocyte+proliferation+and+levels+of+expression+of+myocyte+mitogenic+factors+FGF2+and+its+receptor,+FGFR-1,+but+not+for+transmural+myocardial+patterning+in+the+embryonic+chick+heart.">Epicardium is required for the full rate of myocyte proliferation and levels of expression of myocyte mitogenic factors FGF2 and its receptor, FGFR-1, but not for transmural myocardial patterning in the embryonic chick heart.</a> Developmental Dynamics. 228 (2), 161-172 (2003).</li><li>Lavine, K. J., Yu, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Endocardial+and+epicardial+derived+FGF+signals+regulate+myocardial+proliferation+and+differentiation+in+vivo.">Endocardial and epicardial derived FGF signals regulate myocardial proliferation and differentiation in vivo.</a> Developmental Cell. 8 (1), 85-95 (2005).</li><li>Stuckmann, I., Evans, S., Lassar, A. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Erythropoietin+and+retinoic+acid,+secreted+from+the+epicardium,+are+required+for+cardiac+myocyte+proliferation.">Erythropoietin and retinoic acid, secreted from the epicardium, are required for cardiac myocyte proliferation.</a> Developmental biology. 255 (2), 334-349 (2003).</li><li>M&#228;nner, J., Schlueter, J., Brand, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Experimental+analyses+of+the+function+of+the+proepicardium+using+a+new+microsurgical+procedure+to+induce+loss-of-proepicardial-function+in+chick+embryos.">Experimental analyses of the function of the proepicardium using a new microsurgical procedure to induce loss-of-proepicardial-function in chick embryos.</a> Developmental Dynamics. 233 (4), 1454-1463 (2005).</li><li>Weeke-Klimp, A., Bax, N. A. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Epicardium-derived+cells+enhance+proliferation,+cellular+maturation+and+alignment+of+cardiomyocytes.">Epicardium-derived cells enhance proliferation, cellular maturation and alignment of cardiomyocytes.</a> Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology. 49 (4), 606-616 (2010).</li><li>Eralp, I., Lie-Venema, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Coronary+Artery+and+Orifice+Development+Is+Associated+With+Proper+Timing+of+Epicardial+Outgrowth+and+Correlated+Fas+Ligand+Associated+Apoptosis+Patterns.">Coronary Artery and Orifice Development Is Associated With Proper Timing of Epicardial Outgrowth and Correlated Fas Ligand Associated Apoptosis Patterns.</a> Circulation Research. 96 (5), (2005).</li><li>Kelder, T. P., Duim, S. N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+epicardium+as+modulator+of+the+cardiac+autonomic+response+during+early+development.">The epicardium as modulator of the cardiac autonomic response during early development.</a> Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology. 89, 251-259 (2015).</li><li>van Wijk, B., Gunst, Q. D., Moorman, A. F. M., van den Hoff, M. J. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cardiac+regeneration+from+activated+epicardium.">Cardiac regeneration from activated epicardium.</a> PloS one. 7 (9), e44692 (2012).</li><li>Zhou, B., Honor, L. B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Adult+mouse+epicardium+modulates+myocardial+injury+by+secreting+paracrine+factors.">Adult mouse epicardium modulates myocardial injury by secreting paracrine factors.</a> The Journal of clinical investigation. 121 (5), 1894-1904 (2011).</li><li>Smart, N., Bollini, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=De+novo+cardiomyocytes+from+within+the+activated+adult+heart+after+injury.">De novo cardiomyocytes from within the activated adult heart after injury.</a> Nature. 474 (7353), 640-644 (2011).</li><li>Zangi, L., Lui, K. O., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modified+mRNA+directs+the+fate+of+heart+progenitor+cells+and+induces+vascular+regeneration+after+myocardial+infarction.">Modified mRNA directs the fate of heart progenitor cells and induces vascular regeneration after myocardial infarction.</a> Nature Biotechnology. 31 (10), 898-907 (2013).</li><li>Moerkamp, A. T., Lodder, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Human+fetal+and+adult+epicardial-derived+cells:+a+novel+model+to+study+their+activation.">Human fetal and adult epicardial-derived cells: a novel model to study their activation.</a> Stem Cell Research &amp; Therapy. 7 (1), 1-12 (2016).</li><li>Clunie-O'Connor, C., Smits, A. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Derivation+of+Primary+Human+Epicardium-Derived+Cells.">The Derivation of Primary Human Epicardium-Derived Cells.</a> Current Protocols in Stem Cell Biology. 35, 2C.5.1-2C.5.12 (2015).</li><li>Van Tuyn, J., Atsma, D. E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Epicardial+Cells+of+Human+Adults+Can+Undergo+an+Epithelial-to-+Mesenchymal+Transition+and+Obtain+Characteristics+of+Smooth+Muscle+Cells+In+Vitro.">Epicardial Cells of Human Adults Can Undergo an Epithelial-to- Mesenchymal Transition and Obtain Characteristics of Smooth Muscle Cells In Vitro.</a> Stem Cells. 25 (2), 271-278 (2007).</li><li>Bax, N. A. M., van Oorschot, A. A. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+epithelial-to-mesenchymal+transformation+in+human+adult+epicardial+cells+is+regulated+by+TGF&#946;-signaling+and+WT1.">In vitro epithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation in human adult epicardial cells is regulated by TGF&#946;-signaling and WT1.</a> Basic research in cardiology. 106 (5), 829-847 (2011).</li><li>Chechi, K., Richard, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Thermogenic+potential+and+physiological+relevance+of+human+epicardial+adipose+tissue.">Thermogenic potential and physiological relevance of human epicardial adipose tissue.</a> International Journal of Obesity Supplements. 5 (Suppl 1), S28-S34 (2015).</li></ol>

Here we describe a detailed protocol to isolate and culture primary epicardial cells derived from human adult and fetal hearts. Extensive characterization of these cells has been previously published17. We have shown that both cell types can be maintained as epithelial cobblestone-like cells when cultured with the ALK5 kinase inhibitor SB431542. EMT is an integral part of epicardial activation in vivo during both development and the post-injury response. EMT can be studied using this meth...

The epicardium, a single-cell epithelial layer that envelopes the heart, is of vital importance for cardiac development and repair (reviewed in Smits et al.1). Developmentally, the epicardium arises from the proepicardial organ, a small structure located at the base of the developing heart. Around developmental day E9.5 in mouse, and 4 weeks post-conception in human, cells start to migrate from this cauliflower structure and cover the developing myocardium2. Once a single epithelial cell layer is formed, a portion of the epicardial cells undergoes&#160;epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). During EMT, cells lose their epithelial characteristics, such as cell-cell adhesions, and obtain a mesenchymal phenotype which gives them the capacity to migrate into the developing myocardium. The formed epicardial derived cells (EPDCs) can differentiate into several cardiac cell types including fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and potentially cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells3, although differentiation of the latter two cell populations remains subject to debate (reviewed in Smits et al.4). Furthermore, the epicardium provides instructive paracrine signals to the myocardium to regulate its growth and vascularization5,6,7,8. Multiple studies have demonstrated that impaired epicardial formation leads to developmental defects in cardiac muscle9,10, vasculature11, and conduction system12, emphasizing the essential contribution of the epicardium to the formation of the heart.
Although in the adult heart the epicardium is present as a dormant layer, it becomes reactivated upon ischemia13. Epicardial reactivation post-injury recapitulates several of the processes described for cardiac development, including proliferation and EMT14, albeit less efficiently. Interestingly, although the exact mechanism is not fully understood, the epicardial contribution to repair can be improved by treatment with, e.g., Thymosin &#946;415 or modified VEGF-A mRNA16, resulting in ameliorated cardiac function after myocardial infarction. The epicardium is therefore considered an interesting cell source to enhance endogenous repair of the injured heart.
Mechanisms of cardiac development are often recapitulated during injury, although in a less efficient manner. In search of epicardial activators, it is paramount that we can determine and compare the full capacity of the fetal and adult epicardium. Moreover, from a therapeutic point of view, it is important that, in addition to animal experiments, we extend knowledge regarding the response of the human epicardium. Here, we describe a method to isolate and culture human adult and fetal epicardial derived cells (EPDCs) in an epithelial-cell-like morphology and to induce EMT. With this model, we aim to explore and compare adult and fetal epicardial cell behavior.
The main advantage of this protocol is the use of human epicardial material, which has not been thoroughly studied. Importantly, the described isolation and cell culture protocol provides a single uniform method to derive both fetal and adult cobble EPDCs, enabling a direct comparison between these two cell sources. Additionally, since the epicardium is isolated based on its location, it is ensured that the cells are actually epicardially derived17.
While human EPDC isolation methods have been established previously, these mostly rely on outgrowth protocols where pieces of cardiac or epicardial tissue are plated onto a cell culture dish18,19. This approach thereby selects specifically for cells that partially lose their epithelial phenotype in order to migrate, and that are more prone to undergo spontaneous EMT. In the current protocol, the epicardium is first processed into a single cell solution which allows the isolated EPDCs to maintain their epithelial state. This method therefore provides a solid in vitro model to study epicardial EMT.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="798">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;width:379px;">Dulbecco&#8217;s modified Eagle&#8217;s medium + GlutaMAX</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Gibco</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">21885-025</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">Medium 199&#160;</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>31150-022</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">Fetal Bovine Serum&#160;</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">10270-106</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">Trypsin 0.25%</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">25200-056</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">Penicillin G sodium salt</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Roth</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">HP48</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">Streptomycin sulphate</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Roth</td>
			<td>HP66</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;width:379px;">Trypsin 1:250 from bovine pancreas</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Serva</td>
			<td>37289</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;width:379px;">EDTA</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Sigma</td>
			<td>E4884</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">Gelatin from porcine skin</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>G1890</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">Culture plates 6 well</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Greiner bio-one</td>
			<td>657160</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">Culture plates 12 well</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Corning</td>
			<td>3512</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">Culture plates 24 well</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Greiner bio-one</td>
			<td>662160</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">SB 431542</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Tocris</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">1614</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Merck</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">102931</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">100-1000&#181;L Filtered Pipet Tips</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Corning</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">4809</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">10-ml pipet</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Greiner bio-one</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">607180</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">5-ml pipet</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Greiner bio-one</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">606180</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">Cell culture dish 100/20 mm</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Greiner bio-one</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">664160</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">PBS</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">10010056</td>
			<td>Or home-made and sterilized</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">Eppendorf tubes 1.5 mL</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Eppendorf</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">0030120086</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">15-ml centrifuge tubes</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Greiner bio-one</td>
			<td>188271</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">50-ml centrifuge tubes</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Greiner bio-one</td>
			<td>227261</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">10 mL Syringe</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>305959</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">Needles 19 Gauge</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>301700</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">Needles 21 Gauge</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>304432</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;width:379px;">EASYstrainer Cell Sieves, 100 &#181;m</td>
			<td>Greiner bio-one</td>
			<td>542000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">TGF&#946;3&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">R&#38;D systems</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">243-B3</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;width:379px;">Monoclonal Anti-Actin, &#945;-Smooth Muscle</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Sigma</td>
			<td>A2547&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;width:379px;">Anti-Mouse Alexa Fluor 555</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Invitrogen</td>
			<td>A31570</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;width:379px;">Alexa Fluor 488 Phalloidin</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Invitrogen</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">A12379</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;width:379px;">Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:133px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;width:379px;">Name</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">Pipet P1,000</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Gilson</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">F123602</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">Pipet controller</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Integra</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">155 015</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;width:379px;">Stereomicroscope</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Leica</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">M80</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;width:379px;">Inverted Light Microscope</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Olympus</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">CK2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">Centrifuge</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">Eppendorf</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">5702</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;">Waterbath</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">GFL</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">1083</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

the isolation and culture of primary epicardial cells derived from human adult and fetal heart specimens

The epicardium, an epithelial cell layer covering the myocardium, has an essential role during cardiac development, as well as in the repair response of the heart after ischemic injury. When activated, epicardial cells undergo a process known as epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) to provide cells to the regenerating myocardium. Furthermore, the epicardium contributes via secretion of essential paracrine factors. To fully appreciate the regenerative potential of the epicardium, a human cell model is required. Here we outline a novel cell culture model to derive primary epicardial derived cells (EPDCs) from human adult and fetal cardiac tissue. To isolate EPDCs, the epicardium is dissected from the outside of the heart specimen and processed into a single cell suspension. Next, EPDCs are plated and cultured in EPDC medium containing the ALK 5-kinase inhibitor SB431542 to maintain their epithelial phenotype. EMT is induced by stimulation with TGF&#946;. This method enables, for the first time, the study of the process of human epicardial EMT in a controlled setting, and facilitates gaining more insight in the secretome of EPDCs that may aid heart regeneration. Furthermore, this uniform approach allows for direct comparison of human adult and fetal epicardial behavior.

Here, we outline a straightforward protocol to isolate EPDCs from human adult and fetal cardiac tissue (Figure 1). This protocol takes advantage of the easily accessible location of the epicardium on the outside of the heart (Figure 1A). Staining of the heart auricle after dissection demonstrates that the WT1+ epicardium is removed while the underlying subepicardial extracellular matrix and myocardial tissue remain intact (<stron...

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The Isolation and Culture of Primary Epicardial Cells Derived from Human Adult and Fetal Heart Specimens

The epicardium plays a crucial role in the development and repair of the heart by providing cells and growth factors to the myocardial wall. Here, we describe a method to culture human primary epicardial cells that enables the study and comparison of their developmental and adult characteristics.

The epicardium, an epithelial cell layer covering the myocardium, has an essential role during cardiac development, as well as in the repair response of ...

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