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Micro and nanotechnologies in heart valve tissue engineering
Anwarul Hasan1, John Saliba2, Hassan Pezeshgi Modarres3
1Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; Biomaterials Innovation Research Center, Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
Tissue engineered heart valves (TEHVs) are in demand due to heart valve diseases. Micro and nanoscale technologies show promise for creating viable, functional TEHVs for implantation.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Heart valve diseases lead to significant morbidity and mortality.
- There is a critical need for readily available, implantable tissue engineered heart valves (TEHVs).
- Current TEHV constructs face challenges in achieving viability and functionality for human implantation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the importance of micro and nanoscale technologies in TEHV development.
- To highlight recent advancements in applying these technologies to TEHV constructs.
- To explore the potential of these technologies in realizing functional, implantable TEHVs.
Main Methods:
- Microfabrication techniques for scaffold and construct development.
- Nanofiber-based scaffold preparation and 3D cell-encapsulated hydrogels.
- Integration of microfluidics, micro-bioreactors, and nano-microscale biosensors.
- Application of computational modeling for biological tissue simulation.
Main Results:
- Micro and nanoscale technologies have significantly advanced TEHV construct design and performance.
- These technologies enable precise control over scaffold architecture and cellular microenvironments.
- The integration of these technologies enhances the potential for creating functional TEHVs.
Conclusions:
- Micro and nanoscale technologies are pivotal for overcoming current limitations in TEHV development.
- Continued innovation in these areas is essential for the clinical translation of TEHVs.
- The review underscores the transformative potential of micro/nanotechnology in regenerative cardiology.
