3D Biofabrication of a Cardiac Tissue Construct for Sustained Longevity and Function.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Developing in vitro models for cardiovascular disease research is crucial.
• Understanding microgravity's impact on cardiovascular health requires advanced models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a 3D bioprinted cardiac organoid model for studying cardiovascular disease.
• To investigate the role of microgravity in cardiovascular disease initiation and development.
• To assess cell compatibility and heterocellular coupling in engineered cardiac constructs.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of 3D gelatin-alginate hydrogel scaffolds using 3D printing.
• Encapsulation of human cardiac AC16 cardiomyocytes (CMs), fibroblasts (CFs), and microvascular endothelial cells (ECs).
• Characterization of scaffold mechanical, microstructural, and physicochemical properties (rheology, SEM, ATR-FTIR).
• Assessment of cell viability, proliferation, contractile function, and cardiac biomarker expression.

Main Results:

• Scaffolds exhibited elastogenic properties with mechanical properties similar to native heart tissue.
• Bioprinted CMs demonstrated sustained contractile function.
• Encapsulated cell mixtures showed increased viability and proliferation over 21 days.
• Confirmed heterocellular cardiac cell interactions and cardiac-specific cell functionality.

Conclusions:

• The 3D bioprinted cardiac organoid model successfully mimics cardiac environments.
• This model facilitates in vitro studies of cellular crosstalk in cardiac pathologies like atrophy.
• The model is suitable for drug cytotoxicity screening and investigating disease mechanisms.