Primary cultures of heart cells from the scallp Pecten maximus (mollusca-bivalvia)

Summary Primary cultures of Pecten maximus heart cells, isolated by an enzymatic procedure, were routinely obtained with a high level of reproducibility in a simple medium based on sterile seawater. Cells attached to the plastic substratum without the need to add a special factor. The number of adhering cells gradually increased with the time of culture. Two types of adhering cells were observed: epitheliallike cells and fibroblastlike cells, which were more numerous. The latter cells were identified as myocytes by electron microscopy and immunofluorescent staining. Results obtained by autoradiography, after incorporation of ¹⁴C]leucine, ³H]thymidine, and ¹⁴C]acetate, confirmed functional activity of the cells. These cultures were maintained viable in vitro during at least 1 mo.