Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 28, 2026
10:18
Encapsulation of Cardiomyocytes in a Fibrin Hydrogel for Cardiac Tissue Engineering
Published on: September 19, 2011
26.1K
Injectable, cytocompatible, elastic, free radical scavenging and electroconductive hydrogel for cardiac cell
Remya Komeri1, Jayabalan Muthu1
1Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical and Technology, Polymer Science Division, BMT Wing, Thiruvananthapuram - 695 012, Kerala State, India.
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces
|June 18, 2017
Summary
New injectable hydrogels offer promising solutions for cardiac tissue regeneration. These electroconductive materials demonstrate excellent biocompatibility and mechanical properties, paving the way for advanced therapies.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cardiovascular Engineering
Background:
- Injectable electroconductive hydrogels are crucial for regenerating electroresponsive tissues, particularly the heart.
- Existing hydrogels face limitations including cytotoxicity, poor biodegradability, conductive element diffusion, and low water solubility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel, single-component, injectable electroconductive hydrogels for cardiac regenerative therapy.
- To overcome the limitations of current electroconductive hydrogels for enhanced therapeutic applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized two types of hydrogels: PANIE-P/PEGDA and PANIS-P/PEGDA, using a comacromer conjugated with non-sulfonated/sulfonated polyaniline and PEGDA.
- Characterized hydrogel properties including electrical conductivity, water swelling, surface morphology, and mechanical stiffness.
- Assessed cytocompatibility with L929 fibroblast and H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells, and evaluated free radical scavenging and protective effects under oxidative stress.
Main Results:
- Achieved maximum electrical conductivity comparable to native myocardium (0.351±0.043×10-3Scm-1 and 0.550±0.016×10-3Scm-1).
- Hydrogels exhibited high water retention (82.48%–84.08%), porous surfaces for cell growth, and suitable mechanical properties (PS50P: 442kPa stiffness).
- Demonstrated excellent cytocompatibility, superior free radical scavenging, and protective effects against oxidative stress. Maintained 98% cell viability in vitro.
Conclusions:
- The developed PS50P hydrogel is electroconductive, possesses free radical scavenging capabilities, and exhibits suitable mechanical characteristics for cardiac regenerative therapy.
- These findings highlight the potential of PS50P hydrogel as a promising biomaterial for repairing damaged cardiac tissue.
