Design of a 3D aligned myocardial tissue construct from biodegradable polyesters

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Cardiovascular Engineering

Background:

• Heart muscle (myocardium) lacks significant regenerative capacity after injury, such as from coronary artery occlusion.
• Current treatments for myocardial infarction often involve replacing damaged tissue with scar tissue, leading to impaired heart function.
• Ventricular restoration aims to replace infarcted areas with functional tissue to improve cardiac health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and develop a clinically applicable myocardial patch for replacing myocardial infarcts.
• To improve long-term heart function following cardiac injury.
• To create a biomaterial scaffold that supports cell growth and mimics native myocardial structure.

Main Methods:

• Developed 3D microfibrous mats from a blend of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), Poly(L-D,L-lactic acid) (P(L-D,L)LA), and Poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS).
• Electrospun polymer blends into aligned fiber mats (1.10–1.25 µm diameter) to mimic native myocardium.
• Integrated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from human umbilical cord matrix (Wharton's Jelly) within the scaffold and incorporated biodegradable tubings for nutrient delivery.

Main Results:

• Achieved parallel alignment of micron-sized fibers, effectively guiding cell alignment.
• Observed deep cell penetration within the scaffold, forming 8-9 cell layers.
• Created a thick myocardial patch with native-like structure and demonstrated potential for cell proliferation.

Conclusions:

• The developed myocardial patch, utilizing aligned polymer fibers and stem cells, shows promise for treating heart damage.
• The scaffold's structure supports cell growth and infiltration, mimicking native myocardial tissue.
• This approach offers a potential strategy for improving long-term cardiac function after myocardial infarction.