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3D Carbon-Nanotube-Based Composites for Cardiac Tissue Engineering
Valentina Martinelli1, Susanna Bosi, Brisa Peña2
1International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste 34149, Italy.
ACS Applied Bio Materials
|January 8, 2022
Summary
Carbon nanotube scaffolds enhance cardiac myocyte growth and function for heart repair. This 3D-PDMS+MWCNT material promotes cell viability, proliferation, and maturation, offering new therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Heart failure is a leading global cause of mortality.
- Cardiac myocytes have limited regenerative capacity, necessitating tissue engineering strategies.
- Previous work demonstrated carbon nanotube scaffolds promote cardiomyocyte survival and proliferation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate three-dimensional (3D) carbon nanotube-based composite scaffolds for cardiac tissue engineering.
- To assess the impact of 3D-PDMS+MWCNT scaffolds on cardiomyocyte growth, electrophysiological maturation, and syncytia formation.
- To investigate the potential of these scaffolds in promoting cardiac repair.
Main Methods:
- Development of an elastomeric 3D scaffold from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) integrated with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs).
- Culture of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) on 3D-PDMS+MWCNT scaffolds and control PDMS scaffolds.
- Assessment of cell viability, sarcomeric phenotype, connexin-43 expression, gap junction formation, electrophysiological maturation, calcium transients, and proliferation using microscopy, cell biology, and calcium imaging.
Main Results:
- NRVMs cultured on 3D-PDMS+MWCNT scaffolds showed improved viability and a more mature sarcomeric phenotype compared to controls.
- Increased connexin-43 gene expression and gap junction areas were observed, indicating enhanced cell-cell communication.
- Scaffolds promoted functional maturation of syncytia, evidenced by improved electrophysiological properties and calcium transients.
- 3D-PDMS+MWCNT significantly boosted NRVM proliferation while inhibiting cardiac fibroblast proliferation.
Conclusions:
- 3D-PDMS+MWCNT scaffolds effectively promote cardiac myocyte viability, proliferation, and functional maturation.
- These scaffolds facilitate the development of a more mature cardiomyocyte phenotype with enhanced electrophysiological properties.
- The ability to support cardiomyocyte growth and maturation while controlling fibroblast proliferation makes these scaffolds promising for cardiac tissue engineering and repair.
