Decellularized cardiac ECM: A tissue-specific bioactive platform for drug release and cell delivery

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) from cardiac tissue provides a native microenvironment for cardiac repair.
• dECM biomaterials can serve as reservoirs for controlled release of therapeutic agents and cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in dcECM-based drug and cell delivery strategies for cardiac repair.
• To highlight the role of matrix composition and release profiles in regulating cardiac tissue repair outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on dcECM hydrogels and patches for cardiac applications.
• Analysis of studies focusing on therapeutic factor and cell delivery mechanisms.
• Examination of interactions between matrix properties, therapeutic protection, and release kinetics.

Main Results:

• dcECM hydrogels and patches effectively localize release of angiogenic peptides, growth factors, or genes, promoting neovascularization.
• dcECM platforms enhance survival and engraftment of stem cells, cardiomyocytes, and cardiac progenitor cells in infarcted myocardium.
• Matrix composition and release profiles are critical determinants of cardiac tissue repair efficacy.

Conclusions:

• dcECM-based strategies show significant promise for cardiac repair by modulating therapeutic delivery and cell retention.
• Emerging clinical applications and regulatory challenges for next-generation dcECM therapeutics are identified.