Figure 5.

In vitro approaches to modulate the CPC niche. Strategies to optimize the regenerative potential of CPCs by modulating their microenvironment include (clockwise) the following: engineering the ECM with synthetic or naturally derived polymers with the right composition and physical properties; recreating a niche-like environment by growing cells as multicellular spheroids; applying electrical pacing and/or cyclic strain; co- and multiculture of different cell types to optimize cell-cell interactions, with or without surrounding ECM; and modulating the cell recruiting potential held by gradients of oxygen and cytokines and growth factors.