Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
05:05
Preparation of Mesh-Shaped Engineered Cardiac Tissues Derived from Human iPS Cells for In Vivo Myocardial Repair
Published on: June 9, 2020
Electromechanical characterization of a tissue-engineered myocardial patch derived from extracellular matrix
Takeyoshi Ota1, Thomas W Gilbert, Stephen F Badylak
1Division of Cardiac Surgery, Heart, Lung and Esophageal Surgery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa 15213, USA.
The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
|March 27, 2007
Summary
Extracellular matrix scaffolds show early electrical conductivity after heart repair in pigs. Alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cells repopulated the scaffold, indicating functional tissue remodeling and potential for improved myocardial repair.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Biomaterials Science
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds are used for myocardial repair.
- Limited regional functional evaluation of remodeled ECM scaffolds exists.
- Assessing electrical conductivity of remodeled ECM is crucial for functional recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the electrical activation of remodeled ECM scaffolds in myocardial repair.
- To assess regional contractility and cellular repopulation of implanted ECM patches.
- To investigate the correlation between cellular infiltration and electrical properties of the scaffold.
Main Methods:
- Implantation of ECM patch into porcine right ventricular wall defects.
- Electromechanical mapping using the NOGA system at 60 days post-implantation.
- Assessment of linear local shortening for contractility and histological examination.
Main Results:
- Histology revealed scaffold repopulation with cells, including factor VIII-positive and alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cells.
- Alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cells were concentrated at the endocardial aspect and scaffold-myocardium border.
- Electromechanical mapping showed low-level electrical activity in the scaffold, increasing at the border with native myocardium.
Conclusions:
- ECM scaffolds were repopulated by alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cells 60 days post-implantation.
- Cellular repopulation correlated with areas exhibiting early electrical conductivity.
- Remodeled ECM scaffolds demonstrate potential for functional electrical integration in myocardial repair.
