Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported to improve
survival of cardiomyocytes (CMCs) and overall regeneration of
cardiac tissue. Despite promising preclinical results, interactions
of MSCs and CMCs, both direct and indirect, remain unclear. In
this study, porcine bone marrow MSCs and freshly isolated
porcine primary adult CMCs were used for non-contact co-culture
experiments. Morphology, viability and functional parameters of
CMCs were measured over time and compared between CMCs
cultured alone and CMCs co-cultured with MSCs. In non-contact
co-culture, MSCs improved survival of CMCs. CMCs co-cultured
with MSCs maintained CMCs morphology and viability in
significantly higher percentage than CMCs cultured alone. In
viable CMCs, mitochondrial respiration was preserved in both
CMCs cultured alone and in CMCs co-cultured with MSCs.
Comparison of cellular contractility and calcium handling,
measured in single CMCs, revealed no significant differences
between viable CMCs from co-culture and CMCs cultured alone.
In conclusion, non-contact co-culture of porcine MSCs and CMCs
improved survival of CMCs with a sufficient preservation of
functional and mitochondrial parameters.