In the present study, the myofibril regeneration in the long-term cultured fish cardiomyocytes was studied with immunocytochemistry.

Adult Tilapia heart was dissociated into a single-cell suspension with collagenase and protease-minced tissue method. The culture medium was Eagle's minimal essential medium (MEM) with Earle's salts, supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, 1 x nonessential amino acid mixture, 100 IU/ml penicillin G, and 100 μg/ml streptomycin. The cultured cells were grown in a humidified CO2 incubator at 28°Cand in a medium without glutamine for eliminating fibroblast contamination. In the initial 24 h culture, the elongated-shape cells gradually shortened from their both ends and rounded up. Over 5 to 6 days postcultivation, the cells attached to the bottom of the culture flask and began to protrude pseudopodia. The cells could not be subcultured and also proliferated indefinitely. The life span of cells in culture was 30 to 60 days.