Hydrogels for cardiac tissue engineering

• DOI: 10.1038/am.2014.19
• Publication Date: 2014-05-16T06:02:07Z
• Authors: Gulden Camci-Unal; Nasim Annabi; Mehmet R Dokmeci; Ronglih Liao; Ali Khademhosseini
• Keywords: Cardiac muscle; Biocompatible material; Cardiac cell

Cardiac failure is a critical condition that results in life-threatening consequences. Due to limited number of organ donors, tissue engineering has emerged generate functional constructs and provide an alternative mean repair regenerate damaged heart tissues. In this paper, we review the emerging directions associated with cardiac approaches. particular, discuss use hydrogels regeneration hearts. Because their tissue-like biological, chemical mechanical properties, represent potentially powerful material for directing cells into Herein, will summarize both traditional next-generation conductive, elastomeric oxygen-releasing capabilities can promote vascularization stem cell differentiation form properly functioning Hydrogel-based scaffolds are promising biomaterials deliver small biomolecules muscle. It anticipated cell-loaded be able mend broken heart. after attack particularly difficult regenerate. Consequently, researchers exploring innovative ways regrow stressful oxygen-rich microenvironment. Ali Khademhosseini colleagues from Harvard Medical School United States recent efforts create biocompatible using - squishy, three-dimensional polymer networks expand water, much like natural tissue. While grown on hydrogel supports such as poly(ethylene glycol) fibrils have considerably higher viability than those directly injected muscle, novel better mimic native functions still needed. The highlight enhanced incorporating elastomeric, conductive capabilities. Furthermore, they anticipate combining renewable micropatterning techniques could enable development prevascularized, 'off-the-shelf' ready implanted patients.