Tissue-Engineered Fibrin-Based Heart Valve with Bio-Inspired Textile Reinforcement

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Tissue-engineered heart valves (TEHVs) require improved mechanical properties for systemic circulation implantation.
• Native aortic valve leaflets exhibit complex mechanical anisotropy crucial for function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a TEHV, the BioTexValve, for the aortic position.
• To enhance mechanical strength and anisotropy using a bio-inspired composite textile scaffold.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of textile leaflets with multifilament fibers mimicking native collagen bundle arrangement.
• Coating leaflets with an electrospun layer and seeding with human vascular smooth muscle cells in a fibrin gel.
• Maturation in a bioreactor with static and dynamic stimulation.
• Hydrodynamic testing under ISO standards in a mock circulation system.

Main Results:

• The BioTexValve demonstrated excellent functionality under simulated aortic pressure and flow.
• Leaflets exhibited remarkable burst strength (1086 mmHg) while maintaining pliability.
• Significant extracellular matrix production was confirmed via immunohistochemistry and biochemical assays.

Conclusions:

• Bio-inspired textile reinforcement is a viable strategy for fabricating functional TEHVs for the aortic position.
• The developed BioTexValve shows potential for clinical translation due to its mechanical properties and functionality.