A 3D aligned microfibrous myocardial tissue construct cultured under transient perfusion

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Myocardial infarctions lead to significant heart tissue damage and impaired function.
• Current treatments for myocardial infarction have limitations in restoring long-term cardiac function.
• Developing functional cardiac tissue constructs is crucial for heart repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and develop a biodegradable 3D myocardial patch for repairing heart tissue.
• To improve cell organization and nutrient delivery within the construct for enhanced cell viability and function.
• To investigate the potential of the patch in preserving cell alignment and distribution.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a 3D construct with biodegradable macroporous tubes and aligned fiber mats.
• Seeding of human umbilical cord matrix mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) onto electrospun polyester blend fibers (PHBV, P(L-D,L)LA, PGS).
• Culture of the 3D construct in a microbioreactor with transient perfusion for two weeks, followed by fluorescence microscopy analysis.

Main Results:

• Electrospun micron-sized parallel fibers successfully aligned WJ-MSCs, which retracted the mat.
• Perfusion of growth media through macroporous tubes enhanced cell viability and uniform distribution.
• Preservation of cell alignment within the 3D construct was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy.

Conclusions:

• The developed 3D myocardial patch supports aligned mesenchymal stem cell growth and viability.
• Nutrient provision via perfusable macroporous tubes is critical for maintaining cell health and organization in engineered cardiac tissue.
• This engineered heart tissue holds potential for myocardial infarction repair and improved cardiac function.