Cardiac Matrix-Derived Granular Hydrogel Enhances Cell Function in 3D Culture

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Decellularized porcine myocardial matrix hydrogels show promise for cardiac repair.
• Previous work enhanced hydrogel angiogenic capacity with fibrin enrichment.
• Bulk hydrogels may limit cell delivery; granular hydrogels offer improved nutrient diffusion and cell viability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the viability of cells encapsulated in bulk cardiac matrix hydrogels.
• To develop and assess granular hydrogels from cardiac matrix and fibrin-enriched cardiac matrix using extrusion fragmentation.
• To investigate the role of these granular hydrogels in supporting encapsulated cells and cell spheroids.

Main Methods:

• Confirmed effects of bulk cardiac matrix hydrogel on encapsulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human mesenchymal stem cells.
• Fabricated microgels via extrusion fragmentation and performed cellular cross-linking to produce granular hydrogels.
• Examined the impact of granular hydrogels on cell viability, spheroid sprouting, and angiogenic sprouting in vitro.

Main Results:

• Cardiac matrix-derived granular hydrogels maintain optimal viability of encapsulated cells.
• These granular hydrogels promote sprouting of human mesenchymal stem cell spheroids.
• Fibrin-enriched cardiac matrix granular hydrogels accelerate angiogenic sprouting of embedded cell spheroids.

Conclusions:

• Granular hydrogels derived from cardiac matrix support cell viability and spheroid development.
• Fibrin enrichment in granular hydrogels enhances angiogenic potential for cardiac repair.
• This study provides a foundation for using cardiac matrix-derived granular hydrogels in cardiac cell therapy.