mTOR Inhibitors Modulate the Physical Properties of 3D Spheroids Derived from H9c2 Cells

To establish an appropriate in vitro model for the local environment of cardiomyocytes, three-dimensional (3D) spheroids derived from H9c2 cardiomyoblasts were prepared, and their morphological, biophysical phase contrast biochemical characteristics evaluated. The 3D successfully obtained, sizes decreased, they became stiffer during 3–4 days. In to cell multiplication that occurs conventional 2D planar cultures, developed into a more mature form without any being detected. qPCR analyses indicated production collagen4 (COL4) fibronectin (FN), connexin43 (CX43), β-catenin, N-cadherin, STAT3, HIF1 molecules had increased COL6 α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) decreased as compared cultured cells. addition, treatment with rapamycin (Rapa), mTOR complex (mTORC) 1 inhibitor, Torin 1, mTORC1/2 resulted significantly densities cells, but size stiffness cells within reduced gene expressions several above factors reduced. metabolic responses modulators also different between cultures. These results suggest unique aspects environments spheroids, spontaneous expression GJ-related hypoxia core may be associated maturation, suggesting this become useful replicates cardiomyocytes.