Optimizing Anisotropic Polyurethane Scaffolds to Mechanically Match with Native Myocardium

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Cardiovascular Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Biodegradable cardiac patches are crucial for myocardial infarction treatment, requiring mechanical properties similar to native myocardium.
• Existing synthetic scaffolds often lack the precise mechanical characteristics and biological integration needed for effective cardiac repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and optimize anisotropic, biodegradable polyurethane porous scaffolds mimicking native myocardial mechanics.
• To create a biohybrid scaffold by combining the optimized synthetic scaffold with a myocardial hydrogel for enhanced biocompatibility and cell infiltration.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of anisotropic polyurethane porous scaffolds using thermally induced phase separation (TIPS).
• Tailoring mechanical properties (uniaxial, suture retention, ball-burst, biaxial) by varying polyurethane composition and concentration.
• Formation of a biohybrid scaffold by integrating the synthetic scaffold with a porcine myocardium-derived hydrogel.

Main Results:

• Optimized scaffolds exhibited mechanical properties, including ball-burst strength (20.7 ± 1.5 N), comparable to native porcine myocardium (20.4 ± 6.0 N).
• The biohybrid scaffold demonstrated morphologies similar to decellularized myocardial matrix without compromising synthetic scaffold mechanics.
• In vivo subcutaneous implantation in rats showed minimal immune response and superior cell penetration compared to the polyurethane scaffold alone.

Conclusions:

• The developed anisotropic biodegradable polyurethane scaffold successfully mimics native myocardial mechanics.
• The resulting biohybrid scaffold offers excellent biomimetic properties, tissue compatibility, and enhanced cellular integration.
• This biohybrid scaffold holds significant potential as a biodegradable acellular cardiac patch for treating myocardial infarction.