The influence of matrix (an)isotropy on cardiomyocyte contraction in engineered cardiac microtissues

• DOI: 10.1039/c3ib40219c
• Publication Date: 2014-02-07T08:01:35Z
• Authors: A. C. C. van Spre...; N. A. M. Bax; A. J. Bastiaens; J. Foolen; S. Loerakker; M. Borochin; D. W. J. van der ...; C. S. Chen; F. P. T. Baaijens; C. V. C. Bouten
• Keywords: Decellularization; Myofibroblast; Matrix (chemical analysis); Matrigel

In the cardiac microenvironment, cardiomyocytes (CMs) are embedded in an aligned and structured extracellular matrix (ECM) to maintain coordinated contractile function of heart. The fibroblast (cFB) is main cell type responsible for producing remodeling this matrix. diseases, however, adverse CM death may lead deterioration myocardial structure. Here, we present vitro model system with uniaxial biaxial constraints induce (an)isotropy 3D microtissues, thereby mimicking ‘healthy’ ‘diseased’ disorganized matrices. A mixture neonatal mouse CMs cFBs was resuspended a collagen–matrigel hydrogel seeded form microtissues recapitulate vivo cellular composition. Matrix disarray led stellate shape sarcomere organization, while matrices were more elongated had sarcomeres. Although has no detrimental effect on force generated by CMs, it did have negative homogeneity contraction distribution. Furthermore, proliferation affected microtissue as indicated correlation between percentage their beating frequency. These results suggest that regeneration diseased heart, reorganization will contribute recover but restoring ratio composition (CMs cFBs) also prerequisite completely regain tissue function.