Self-Growing Conductive Hydrogels Establish Volumetric Biointerfaces for Cardiac Conduction Restoration

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Cardiovascular Research
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Restoring 3D electrical conduction in infarcted myocardium is challenging due to surface-confined hydrogel patches hindering cardiomyocyte coupling.
• Fibrotic scars in myocardial infarction impede electrical signal propagation, leading to impaired cardiac function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a self-growing conductive volumetric interface (SCOVE) that transforms into a tissue-integrated, 3D conductive network within infarcted myocardium.
• To overcome the limitations of conventional surface-confined conductive patches for myocardial infarction treatment.

Main Methods:

• Injectable hydrogel precursor containing 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene-acetic acid sodium salt (ETE) monomer was used.
• Endogenous glucose triggered in situ oxidative polymerization of ETE to form a conductive polyETE network.
• Evaluated SCOVE's conductivity, mechanical properties, and efficacy in a rat myocardial infarction model.

Main Results:

• SCOVE rapidly infiltrates infarcted myocardium and self-grows a conductive network with cardiac-mimetic conductivity (∼1 S m⁻¹).
• SCOVE preserved native myocardial mechanics without tissue stiffening and reduced scar resistivity by 2.54-fold.
• Restored electrical coupling among cardiomyocytes, enhanced Cx43 expression, and accelerated impulse propagation in vivo.

Conclusions:

• SCOVE establishes a generalizable strategy for reconstructing tissue electrophysiology by creating self-growing volumetric biointerfaces.
• This approach advances bioelectronic therapies for myocardial infarction and other electrically dysfunctional tissues.