3D bioartificial stretchable scaffolds mimicking the mechanical hallmarks of human cardiac fibrotic tissue.

ABSTRACT: Human cardiac fibrotic tissues are characterized by a higher stiffness relative to healthy cardiac tissues. These tissues are unable to spontaneously contract and are subjected to passive mechanical stimulation during heart functionality. Moreover, scaffolds that can recapitulate the in vivo mechanical properties of the cardiac fibrotic tissues are lacking. Herein, this study aimed to design and fabricate mechanically stretchable bioartificial scaffolds with biomimetic composition and stiffness comparable to human cardiac fibrotic tissues. Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds with a stretchable mesh architecture were initially designed through structural and finite element method (FEM) analyses and subsequently fabricated by melt extrusion additive manufacturing (MEX). Scaffo

SUBMITTER: Spedicati M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7616559 | biostudies-literature | 2024 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature