Toward Hierarchical Assembly of Aligned Cell Sheets into a Conical Cardiac Ventricle Using Microfabricated Elastomers

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cardiovascular Research
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Current cardiac organ-on-chip models often lack physiological myofiber orientation.
• Mimicking native ventricular architecture is crucial for accurate cardiac function studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a bioartificial left ventricle model with hierarchical myofiber orientation.
• To create a functional 3D cardiac construct using microfabricated scaffolds.

Main Methods:

• Utilized soft lithography and injection molding to create elastomeric scaffolds with micro-grooves.
• Hierarchically assembled 2D aligned cell sheets into a conical ventricle structure.
• Incorporated micro-scale holes to improve oxygen diffusion in the 3D construct.

Main Results:

• Achieved directed cardiomyocyte alignment along micro-groove orientations (-60° to +60°).
• Demonstrated high cardiomyocyte viability within the 3D construct after 7 days.
• Obtained functional readouts including calcium transients and ejection fraction.

Conclusions:

• The developed bioartificial left ventricle successfully mimics native myofiber orientation.
• This 3D cardiac model offers a promising platform for studying cardiac physiology and disease.
• The approach advances organ-on-chip technology for more physiologically relevant heart models.