Culture and characterization of CEOCs and CDCs.

<p><b>(A)</b> Phase contrast microscopic images representing culture and derivation of cardiosphere derived cells. <b>a</b> On day 2 of culture, fibroblast like cells started shedding from the edge of cardiac explants. <b>b</b> On day 7 of culture, phase bright round cells were found on top of fibroblast like monolayer around the explants. <b>c</b> Robust production of round cells from the explants on day 10 of the culture. <b>d</b> Round cells found to be confluent around the explant on 14 days post culture. <b>e</b> Formation of Cardiospheres derived from CEOCs. <b>f</b> Monolayer culture of CDCs. Arrows indicate the mentioned cells in respective panels. <b>(B)</b> Represents immunofluorescence analysis of CEOCs surrounding the explant. Z stacks were acquired for 8 images at 76 μm optical section thickness. CPCs were present in the outermost layer of the explant and were stained positively for c-kit marker (red). While the other cells in the explant were stained with DAPI alone. <b>(C)</b> Representative images of CEOCs for c-kit marker and CDCs for c-kit and CD 105 markers. CEOCs showed prominent expression of c-kit whereas CDCs for CD 105 marker. Scale bar = 20μm. Arrows indicate cells positive for the respective marker.