Journal Home > Volume 13 , Issue 5

Effective strategies in cardiac tissue engineering require matrices that recapitulate the mechanical, topographic and electrical cues present in the native extracellular matrix. In this review, we discuss recent efforts in materials science and nanotechnology to achieve functional three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds that modulate and monitor cardiac tissue function. We consider key design considerations, including choice of biopolymer matrix, cell sources, and delivery methods for eventual therapies. We then discuss how solid-state nanomaterials may be integrated within these systems to provide unique electrical and nanotopographic cues that improve electromechanical synchrony. We describe how these approaches may be extended to complex, spatially heterogeneous constructs using 3D bioprinting techniques. Finally, we describe how scaffold materials may be augmented with bioelectronic components to achieve hybrid myocardium that monitors or controls electrophysiological activity. Collectively, these approaches provide a framework for achieving cardiac tissues with tunable, rationally-designed functionalities. We discuss future prospects and remaining challenges for clinical translation.

Publication history
Copyright
Acknowledgements

Publication history

Received: 01 December 2019
Revised: 13 January 2020
Accepted: 20 January 2020
Published: 26 February 2020
Issue date: May 2020

Copyright

© Tsinghua University Press and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2020

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge: a Tufts Collaborates Award (to B. P. T.), a Tufts Research Advancement Fund award (to B. P. T.), a Tufts Summer Scholars award (to A. A. R.), a Department of Defense Grant W81XWH-16-1-0304 (to L. D. B.) and American Heart Association Grant-in-Aid Award 16GRNT27760100 (to L. D. B.). Portions of the TOC graphic, Figs. 1 and 2 were created with BioRender.com.

Return