Researchers from Tianjin University said on Wednesday that they have developed a new type of hydrogel that can effectively inhibit ventricular remodeling, promote vascular regeneration and restore cardiac electrophysiological function. The research is expected to help patients with ischemic myocardial infarction. Prof. Li Junjie from the School of Chemical Engineering and Technology led the research.
Ischemic heart disease is known as the “number one killer” of human beings. Blockage of coronary arteries induces inadequate blood supply to the myocardium, causing problems with cardiomyocyte metabolism, which may lead to myocardial apoptosis and affect the physiological function of the heart.
Up to now, cardiac tissue engineering experts mainly use conductive hydrogel based on poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) to improve the beating frequency, contraction speed and arrangement structure of cardiomyocytes, but the hydrogel is detrimental to the survival and proliferation of cells and may cause inflammatory reactions. Therefore, the development of a new type of hydrogel is of great significance for myocardial repair therapy.
The new hydrogel Prof. Li’s team developed can effectively overcome the poor biocompatibility of traditional conductive hydrogels, and causes almost no inflammatory responses. In particular, it showed myocardium-matched mechanical properties and conductivity that promote the maturation of cardiomyocytes and the formation of directional sarcomere structures. In this way, it regulates the electrical decoupling caused by fibrosis and prevents infarct deterioration. Experiment results suggested that the new hydrogel could effectively prolong the duration and efficiency of stem cell therapy.
“Our future research will focus on the integration of mechanical, electrical and biological index. Superior biocompatibility and mechanical-electrical bionic design will be the key to achieving better therapeutic outcomes and clinical translation.” Professor Li Junjie noted, “We expect the new hydrogel to have a great prospect in many electroactive tissue engineering applications, such as skeletal muscle reconstruction, nerve regeneration, and spinal cord repair.”
This research was published in Advanced Functional Materials, an authoritative journal in the field.
By Zhang Xu
Editor: Eva Yin
