Optimizing cell seeding and retention in a three-dimensional bioengineered cardiac ventricle: The two-stage...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Tissue Engineering
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Current cell seeding methods for 3D tissue engineering constructs suffer from low cell retention efficiency.
• Passive cell delivery relies on cell migration and is limited by scaffold properties, hindering effective cellularization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a two-stage cell seeding technique coupled with perfusion culture for improved cellularization of engineered cardiac tissue.
• To assess the efficiency and biological effectiveness of the novel technique using a chitosan bioengineered open ventricle (BEOV) scaffold.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a two-stage perfusion cultured ventricle (TPCV) using a BEOV scaffold.
• Seeding 10 million primary rat neonatal cardiac cells via direct injection and wrapping with a 3D fibrin gel patch.
• Perfusion culture of TPCV for 3 days.

Main Results:

• Achieved an average biopotential output of 1.731 mV.
• Observed a cell retention efficiency of approximately 5% after 3 days of perfusion culture.
• Histological analysis confirmed cell deposition, intercellular connections, and gap-junction interactions.

Conclusions:

• The two-stage cell delivery concept demonstrates initial effectiveness for improving cellularization in engineered cardiac tissue.
• The developed technique shows promise for enhancing both functional and biological metrics in tissue-engineered constructs.
• Further research is warranted to optimize cell retention and functional outcomes.