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Tissue-Engineered Grafts Matured in the Right Ventricular Outflow Tract
Tsukasa Ozawa1, Donald A G Mickle1, Richard D Weisel1
1Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Toronto General Research Institute, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada.
Cell Transplantation
|August 31, 2017
Summary
Biodegradable scaffolds seeded with smooth muscle cells (SMCs) show promise for repairing pediatric heart defects. These scaffolds promote tissue regeneration and maintain structural integrity in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cardiovascular Surgery
Background:
- Pediatric right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) anomalies often require surgical repair.
- Autologous smooth muscle cell (SMC)-seeded biodegradable scaffolds offer a potential solution for tissue engineering in cardiac repair.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a novel biodegradable scaffold seeded with SMCs for RVOT defect repair in a rat model.
- To assess the in vivo tissue regeneration, scaffold degradation, and cellular changes over time.
Main Methods:
- SMCs from adult Lewis rats were seeded onto a biodegradable copolymer scaffold (PCLA).
- The seeded scaffold was used to repair surgically created RVOT defects in adult rats.
- Histological and mechanical assessments were performed at 8 and 22 weeks post-implantation.
Main Results:
- The PCLA scaffold demonstrated significant biodegradation by 8 weeks, with new smooth muscle tissue and elastin formation.
- By 22 weeks, increased fibroblasts, collagen, and capillary density were observed, indicating tissue remodeling.
- The grafts maintained structural integrity and thickness, and implanted SMCs transitioned to a contractile phenotype.
Conclusions:
- Autologous SMC-seeded PCLA scaffolds support tissue regeneration and maintain structural integrity for RVOT repair.
- Further optimization to enhance smooth muscle tissue and elastin content is needed before pediatric large-animal studies.
