OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of collagen-coating, epidermal growth factor (EGF), Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) on growth and function of neonatal ventricular cardiomyocytes in transcatheter closure device patches in vitro.

METHODSNeonatal ventricular cardiomyocytes were cultured with transcatheter closure device patches (1 cm x 2 cm) coated with or without collagen and treated with 10% FBS (control), EGF (20 ng/ml), BrdU (0.1 mmol/L), respectively. In vitro ventricular cardiomyocytes growth and function as well as IGF-I content were determined.

RESULTS(1) The beginning time of ventricular cardiomyocytes beating on patches was similar in collagen-coated and uncoated patches treated with PBS, EGF or BrdU, respectively (P > 0.05). The cell beating time was significantly earlier in Brdu group than in PBS and EGF groups (all P < 0.05). (2) Time of cultured cell covering on patches was significantly earlier in coated patches than those uncoated patches in PBS, EGF and BrdU treated groups (all P < 0.05). The ventricular cardiomyocytes covering time on patches was significantly earlier in EGF group than that in PBS and BrdU groups (all P < 0.05). (3) Ventricular cardiomyocytes types survived on patches included endothelial cells, fibroblasts and myocytes. The highest content of endothelial cells was evidenced in EGF group and the highest content of fibroblasts was found in Brdu group. Myocytes content was similar between PBS and BrdU groups (P > 0.05) and significantly higher than that in EGF group (all P < 0.05). (4) IGF-I peaked at the seventh culture day in all groups (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSVentricular cardiomyocytes covering on patches could be enhanced by collagen coating. EGF could promote endothelial cells growth while Brdu could stimulate fibroblasts growth on patches.