Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 21, 2025
A Hydrogel Construct and Fibrin-based Glue Approach to Deliver Therapeutics in a Murine Myocardial Infarction Model.
Published on: June 14, 2015
Coacervate Delivery of Growth Factors Combined with a Degradable Hydrogel Preserves Heart Function after Myocardial
Noah Ray Johnson, Maritza Kruger1, Kyle Peter Goetsch1
1Cardiovascular Research Unit, MRC IUCHRU, Chris Barnard Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
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Regenerative therapies to improve prognosis after heart attack and mitigate the onset of heart failure are urgently needed. To this end, we developed a bioactive therapy of sustained release of the morphogen Sonic hedgehog (Shh) and the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) from a coacervate delivery vehicle. This is combined with a structural therapy consisting of a biodegradable polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogel, harnessing the benefits of both components. Upon injection into the hearts of rats after heart attack, we found that each component synergistically improved the benefit of the other. Furthermore, their combination was critical to preserve heart function. These findings indicate that, when combined, growth factor delivery and an injectable hydrogel represent a promising therapeutic approach for treatment after heart attack.
