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Generation of strip-format fibrin-based engineered heart tissue (EHT)
Sebastian Schaaf1, Alexandra Eder, Ingra Vollert
1Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|July 30, 2014
Summary
This protocol details a method for creating fibrin-based engineered heart tissue (EHT) using neonatal rat heart cells. The resulting EHTs exhibit spontaneous contractions and are suitable for functional and molecular analysis.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Research
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Engineered heart tissue (EHT) creation is crucial for studying cardiac function and disease.
- Standardized protocols for reproducible EHT generation are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a straightforward protocol for casting fibrin-based EHTs in standard 24-well culture dishes.
- To enable reliable generation of functional EHTs for subsequent analyses.
Main Methods:
- Utilizes neonatal rat cardiomyocytes within a fibrin hydrogel matrix.
- Employs custom agarose molds and silicone posts within 24-well plates for casting.
- Involves spontaneous remodeling of the fibrin gel by cells post-casting.
Main Results:
- Successfully generates fibrin-based EHTs that remodel and condense the hydrogel.
- EHTs exhibit spontaneous, rhythmic contractions starting after one week.
- Tissues remain viable and stable for several weeks, allowing for functional and molecular studies.
Conclusions:
- This protocol provides a reproducible method for generating fibrin-based EHTs.
- The generated EHTs are suitable for contractile function measurements and detailed analysis.
- This technique facilitates advancements in cardiac tissue engineering and research.
