An Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Cardiac Tissue-Patch Interrelation

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cardiovascular Research
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Myocardial infarction (MI) treatment requires effective regenerative therapies.
• Tissue engineered cardiac patches show promise for MI repair.
• The interaction between cardiac patches and native heart tissue is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of acellular and cellular cardiac patches on a 2D cardiac cell layer.
• To assess the effect of a beating cardiac cell layer on encapsulated cells within a patch.
• To understand the mutual relationship between cardiac patches and beating cardiac tissue.

Main Methods:

• Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iCMs) were cultured.
• Acellular and cellular patches (gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel with or without iCMs) were created.
• Patches were applied to a 2D iCM layer, and effects on beating characteristics, Ca+2 handling, and cell coupling were analyzed.
• A simulation model was developed to analyze strain from cyclic contractions.

Main Results:

• Acellular patches reduced beating characteristics and Ca+2 handling of the 2D iCM layer.
• Cellular patches restored these cardiac functions.
• The beating 2D iCM layer improved the velocity and frequency of encapsulated iCMs in cellular patches.
• Encapsulated iCMs coupled with the underlying 2D iCM layer.
• Simulation strain values matched experimental measurements.

Conclusions:

• Cellular cardiac patches positively interact with beating cardiac tissue, restoring function.
• The dynamic environment created by a beating cardiac layer enhances encapsulated cell function and integration.
• Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing advanced cardiac patches for myocardial infarction regeneration.