Regulation of the Microenvironment for Cardiac Tissue Engineering

Abstract

The microenvironment of myocardium plays an important role in the fate and function of cardiomyocytes (CMs). Cardiovascular tissue engineering strategies commonly utilize stem cell sources in conjunction with microenvironmental cues that often include biochemical, electrical, spatial and biomechanical factors. Microenvironmental stimulation of CMs, in addition to the incorporation of intercellular interactions from non-CMs, results in the generation of engineered cardiac constructs. Current studies suggest that use of these factors when engineering cardiac constructs improve cardiac function when implanted in vivo. In this review, we summarize the approaches to modulate biochemical, electrical, biomechanical and spatial factors to induce CM differentiation and their subsequent organization for cardiac tissue engineering application.

International Multisite Study of Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes for Drug Proarrhythmic Potential Assessment

“…Relative differences in ion channel and current levels in iPSC-CMs as compared to adult ventricular myocytes are likely the most important factors to improve the accurate prediction of TdP risk, especially with multichannel blocking drugs. With the development of new biotechnologies aimed at the development of more adult-like hiPSC-CMs ( Wanjare and Huang, 2017 ; Yang et al, 2014 ), the predictivity of hiPSC-CMs assays is expected to further improve. Furthermore, other predictors of proarrhythmia risk may be added to the model based on their ability to differentiate drugs from the three categories examined here.…”

Anisotropic microfibrous scaffolds enhance the organization and function of cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells

“…47, 48 Since PCL is biocompatible, biodegradable, and widely studied for tissue engineering applications, 20 this polymer was selected as a suitable scaffold to support iCMs. 20 The mechanical properties of the PCL scaffolds were within an order of magnitude to the native myocardium.…”

Biomechanical Regulation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering

“…Micro‐ and nanotopographical cues could be utilized to vascularize engineered tissues or improve endothelialization of intravascular devices such as stents . In the long term, other applications may include advanced material scaffolds used in wound healing or materials for cell delivery in myocardial repair …”