Researchers from Auburn University have made significant strides in the field of regenerative medicine by developing a new method to produce engineered cardiac tissue (ECT) using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). The study, led by Mohammadjafar Hashemi and published in the journal “Bioactive Materials,” focuses on a suspension-based platform that enhances the differentiation and functionality of cardiomyocytes, the heart muscle cells essential for proper cardiac function.
Traditional methods of creating cardiac tissue often rely on scaffold-free aggregate platforms, which can lead to inconsistencies in size and shape. However, this new approach utilizes PEG-fibrinogen hydrogel microspheres that can encapsulate hiPSCs at a rapid rate of one million cells per minute, achieving densities of up to 60 million cells per milliliter. This innovation allows for a more uniform and scalable production of cardiac tissue, which is crucial for potential applications in regenerative therapies.
The research highlights that microspheres not only maintain consistent size and shape but also outperform aggregates in terms of cardiomyocyte content and functionality. On day ten of differentiation, the microspheres exhibited a 27% higher cardiomyocyte content and a remarkable 250% increase in the number of cardiomyocytes per initial hiPSC compared to aggregates. Additionally, the contraction and relaxation velocities of the microspheres were four and nine times higher, respectively, showcasing their superior performance.
Hashemi noted, “Our results demonstrate the capability of the microsphere platform for scaling up biomanufacturing of engineered cardiac tissues in a suspension-based culture.” This scalability could lead to significant advancements in the production of cardiac tissues for therapeutic applications, potentially addressing heart disease, which remains a leading cause of death globally.
The implications of this research extend beyond just medical applications. The energy sector could also benefit from these advancements, particularly in the development of bioengineered tissues for use in bioenergy production or bioremediation processes. The ability to produce functional cardiac tissues at scale could pave the way for innovative approaches to harness biological systems for energy generation or environmental cleanup.
As the field of regenerative medicine evolves, the commercial opportunities are vast, ranging from the production of cardiac patches for heart repair to the development of advanced tissue models for drug testing. This research not only enhances our understanding of cardiac differentiation but also opens the door to new biomanufacturing techniques that could revolutionize both healthcare and energy sectors.
For more information about the research and the team behind it, you can visit the Department of Chemical Engineering at Auburn University.
