A Regenerative Cardiac Patch Formed by Spray Painting of Biomaterials onto the Heart

Tissue Eng Part C Methods. 2017 Mar;23(3):146-155. doi: 10.1089/ten.TEC.2016.0492. Epub 2017 Feb 15.

Abstract

Layering a regenerative polymer scaffold on the surface of the heart, termed as a cardiac patch, has been proven to be effective in preserving cardiac function after myocardial infarction (MI). However, the placement of such a patch on the heart usually needs open-chest surgery, which is traumatic, therefore prevents the translation of this strategy into the clinic. We sought to device a way to apply a cardiac patch by spray painting in situ polymerizable biomaterials onto the heart with a minimally invasive procedure. To prove the concept, we used platelet fibrin gel as the "paint" material in a mouse model of MI. The use of the spraying system allowed for placement of a uniform cardiac patch on the heart in a mini-invasive manner without the need for sutures or glue. The spray treatment promoted cardiac repair and attenuated cardiac dysfunction after MI.

Keywords: cardiac patch; myocardial infarction; platelet fibrin gel; regeneration.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism*
  • Fibrin / metabolism*
  • Heart / physiology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Myocardial Infarction / pathology
  • Myocardial Infarction / therapy*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / cytology*
  • Paintings
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Regeneration / physiology*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Fibrin