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EMT-inducing biomaterials for heart valve engineering: taking cues from developmental biology
M K Sewell-Loftin1, Young Wook Chun, Ali Khademhosseini
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232-0493, USA.
Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research
|July 14, 2011
Summary
Developing viable tissue-engineered heart valves is crucial, especially for children. Research focuses on natural biomaterials to promote growth and remodeling, aiming to overcome limitations of current nonviable valve replacements.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cardiovascular Engineering
Background:
- Current artificial heart valves are nonviable, failing to grow or remodel after implantation.
- This necessitates reoperations, particularly for pediatric patients requiring larger valves as they grow.
- Existing research often focuses on improving decellularization of animal tissues for valve replacement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current heart valve replacements and novel tissue-engineered scaffolds.
- To explore natural biomaterials for tissue-engineered heart valves (TEHVs).
- To investigate biomaterials that mimic developmental biology cues for TEHV development.
Main Methods:
- Overview of clinically used heart valves.
- Investigation of synthetic and natural biomaterials as scaffolds for TEHVs.
- Focus on natural biomaterials promoting developmental processes like epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.
Main Results:
- Nonviable current valves lack growth and remodeling capabilities.
- Natural biomaterials show promise for TEHVs by supporting developmental cues.
- Engineering materials that mimic in utero development is key.
Conclusions:
- Viable tissue-engineered heart valves could revolutionize treatment, especially for pediatric patients.
- These valves could grow and remodel, reducing reoperation needs.
- Successful TEHVs would improve patient quality of life and reduce healthcare burdens.
