Electrically conductive 3D printed Ti₃C₂T_x MXene-PEG composite constructs for cardiac tissue engineering

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Myocardial infarction (MI) necessitates advanced therapeutic strategies beyond current treatments.
• Tissue engineered cardiac patches require native extracellular matrix mimicry and electroconductivity for efficacy.
• Existing cardiac patches often lack the ordered structure and electrical properties of native heart tissue.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel composite construct for cardiac tissue engineering that provides both conductive and topographical cues.
• To investigate the potential of 3D-printed titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) MXene on polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels for guiding human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (iCMs).

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of composite constructs via aerosol jet printing of Ti3C2Tx MXene patterns onto PEG hydrogels at cell-level resolution.
• Seeding of iCMs onto the engineered constructs and subsequent in vitro culture for one week.
• Assessment of iCM alignment, gene expression (MYH7, SERCA2, TNNT2), synchronous beating, and conduction velocity.

Main Results:

• The 3D-printed Ti3C2Tx MXene constructs demonstrated no cytotoxicity to iCMs.
• Significant iCM alignment was observed, along with increased expression of key cardiac genes (MYH7, SERCA2, TNNT2).
• Improved synchronous beating and enhanced conduction velocity were achieved in the engineered cardiac patches.

Conclusions:

• 3D-printed Ti3C2Tx MXene on PEG hydrogels can effectively guide iCMs, mimicking native cardiac tissue properties.
• These composite constructs show significant potential for developing physiologically relevant cardiac patches for MI treatment.
• This innovative approach offers a new clinical therapeutic avenue for combating cardiovascular diseases.