Multidimensional assembly using layer-by-layer deposition for synchronized cardiac macro tissues

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Constructing multi-dimensional cardiac tissue is challenging due to difficulties in cardiomyocyte maturation and synchronization with other cardiac cell types.
• Current biofabrication methods struggle to replicate the complex cellular architecture and function of native cardiac tissue.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple and efficient method for fabricating multi-dimensional cardiac macro tissue (mCMT) with synchronized beating.
• To enhance the maturation and functional characteristics of engineered cardiac tissue for in vitro applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition of cells onto micro-patterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates.
• Employed pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts for tissue construction.
• Incorporated cardiac maturation factors and growth factors during the fabrication and maturation process.

Main Results:

• Successfully fabricated mCMTs exhibiting synchronized beating characteristics.
• Demonstrated significantly enhanced gene expression of cardiac maturation markers (MLC2v, cTNI) and improved sarcomere formation.
• mCMTs showed improved tissue-like structures and functions compared to conventional methods.

Conclusions:

• The LBL deposition method provides an effective strategy for creating mature, functional cardiac tissue constructs.
• Fabricated mCMTs serve as a valuable in vitro platform for drug efficacy and toxicity screening.
• This approach has broad implications for diverse in vitro studies requiring physiologically relevant tissue models.