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Three-dimensional cardiac tissue engineering using a thermoresponsive artificial extracellular matrix.
Hiroshi Naito1, Yoshiaki Takewa, Toshihide Mizuno
1Department of Artificial Organs, National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Fujishiro-dai Suita-city, Osaka, Japan.
ASAIO Journal (American Society for Artificial Internal Organs : 1992)
|August 17, 2004
Summary
Researchers developed a simple method to create three-dimensional cardiac tissue using a thermoresponsive scaffold, poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)-grafted gelatin (PNIPAM-gelatin). This innovative biomaterial enables uniform cell distribution and synchronous contraction in engineered heart tissue.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Developing functional three-dimensional (3D) cardiac tissue is crucial for regenerative medicine and disease modeling.
- Existing methods for cardiac tissue engineering often involve complex procedures and specialized scaffolds.
- Thermoresponsive polymers offer unique properties for cell encapsulation and tissue formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of a thermoresponsive artificial extracellular matrix, poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)-grafted gelatin (PNIPAM-gelatin), for reconstituting 3D cardiac tissue.
- To establish optimal culture conditions for cell seeding density, scaffold concentration, and the use of hyaluronic acid.
Main Methods:
- Fetal rat cardiac cells were mixed with PNIPAM-gelatin solution.
- The mixture was incubated at 37°C to induce gelation of the thermoresponsive scaffold.
- Various concentrations of PNIPAM-gelatin, cell seeding densities, and the addition of hyaluronic acid were tested to optimize conditions.
Main Results:
- Optimal conditions involved a PNIPAM-gelatin concentration of 0.05 mg/ml, a cell seeding density of 50 x 10^6 cells/ml, and the addition of hyaluronic acid.
- Reconstituted cardiac tissue exhibited synchronous contraction.
- Histological analysis (hematoxylin and eosin staining) revealed a 3D tissue structure with a cross-section of approximately 60 micrometers.
Conclusions:
- PNIPAM-gelatin serves as an effective scaffold for simple and rapid reconstitution of 3D cardiac tissue.
- The thermoresponsive properties of PNIPAM-gelatin facilitate uniform cell distribution and entrapment.
- The engineered cardiac tissue demonstrates functional synchronous contraction, indicating its potential for further applications in cardiac research and therapy.