Cell-induced alignment augments twitch force in fibrin gel-based engineered myocardium via gap junction modification.

ABSTRACT: A high-potential therapy for repairing the heart post-myocardial infarction is the implantation of tissue-engineered myocardium. While several groups have developed constructs that mimic the aligned structure of the native myocardium, to date no one has investigated the particular functional benefits conferred by alignment. In this study we created myocardial constructs in both aligned and isotropic configurations by entrapping neonatal rat cardiac cells in fibrin gel. Constructs were cultured statically for 2 weeks, and then characterized. Histological staining showed spread cells that express typical cardiac cell markers in both configurations. Isotropic constructs had higher final cell and collagen densities, but lower passive mechanical properties than aligned constructs. Twitch force

SUBMITTER: Black LD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2792050 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature