Cardiac myocytes are the most physically energetic cells in the body. They are highly specialized high-oxygen-content cells that house a large number of mitochondria [1]. They occupy as much as 75% of the cardiac mass, but constitute only about one third of the total cell number in the heart. Differentiated cardiac myocytes have little capacity to proliferate; however, hypertrophic growth has been shown to respond to alpha1-adrenergic stimuli via the Ras/MEK pathway [2]. All cardiac myocytes are capable of spontaneous rhythmic depolarization and repolarization of their membranes. Contraction of cardiac myocytes is myogenic, which is independent of nervous stimulation. There is a complex network of signals in cardiac myocytes regulating the rhythmic pumping of the heart [3]. Cardiac myocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis have been implicated in the loss of contractile function during heart failure. A better understanding of the cardiac signaling network will help reveal the cellular mechanisms leading to cardiac myocyte death.

MCM from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from postnatal day 2 mouse heart. MCM are cryopreserved at P0 and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >1 x 10^6 cells in 1 ml volume. MCM are characterized by immunofluorescence with antibodies specific to smooth muscle actin, sacromeric alpha-actinin, and tropomyosin. MCM are negative for mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi. MCM are guaranteed to further culture under the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories; however, MCM are not recommended for expanding or long-term cultures since the cells do not proliferate in culture.

Recommended Medium

It is recommended to use Cardiac Myocyte Medium-serum free (CMM, Cat. #6101) for culturing MCM in vitro.