Cardiac Tissue Engineering

Myocardial tissue engineering (MTE), a concept that intends to prolong patients’ life after cardiac damage by supporting or restoring heart function, is continuously improving. Common MTE strategies include an engineered ‘vehicle’, which may be a porous scaffold or a dense substrate or patch, made of either natural or synthetic polymeric materials. The function of the substrate is to aid transportation of cells into the diseased region of the heart and support their integration. This book, which contains chapters written by leading experts in MTE, gives a complete analysis of the area and presents the latest advances in the field. The chapters cover all relevant aspects of MTE strategies, including cell sources, specific TE techniques and biomaterials used. Many different cell types have been suggested for cell therapy in the framework of MTE, including autologous bone marrow-derived or cardiac progenitors, as well as embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells, each having their particular advantages and disadvantages. The book covers a complete range of biomaterials, examining different aspects of their application in MTE, such as biocompatibility with cardiac cells, mechanical capability and compatibility with the mechanical properties of the native myocardium as well as degradation behaviour in vivo and in vitro. Although a great deal of research is being carried out in the field, this book also addresses many questions that still remain unanswered and highlights those areas in which further research efforts are required. The book will also give an insight into clinical trials and possible novel cell sources for cell therapy in MTE.

Cardiac Tissue Engineering: Methods and Protocols presents a collection of protocols on cardiac tissue engineering from pioneering and leading researchers around the globe. These include methods and protocols for cell preparation, biomaterial preparation, cell seeding, and cultivation in various systems. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Cardiac Tissue Engineering: Methods and Protocols highlights the major techniques, both experimental and computational, for the study of cardiovascular tissue engineering.

Cardiac tissue engineering aims at repairing damaged heart muscle and producing human cardiac tissues for application in drug toxicity studies. This book offers a comprehensive overview of the cardiac tissue engineering strategies, including presenting and discussing the various concepts in use, research directions and applications. Essential basic information on the major components in cardiac tissue engineering, namely cell sources and biomaterials, is firstly presented to the readers, followed by a detailed description of their implementation in different strategies, broadly divided to cellular and acellular ones. In cellular approaches, the biomaterials are used to increase cell retention after implantation or as scaffolds when bioengineering the cardiac patch, in vitro. In acellular approaches, the biomaterials are used as ECM replacement for damaged cardiac ECM after MI, or, in combination with growth factors, the biomaterials assume an additional function as a depot for prolonged factor activity for the effective recruitment of repairing cells. The book also presents technological innovations aimed to improve the quality of the cardiac patches, such as bioreactor applications, stimulation patterns and prevascularization. This book could be of interest not only from an educational perspective (i.e. for graduate students), but also for researchers and medical professionals, to offer them fresh views on novel and powerful treatment strategies. We hope that the reader will find a broad spectrum of ideas and possibilities described in this book both interesting and convincing. Table of Contents: Introduction / The Heart: Structure, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Regeneration / Cell Sources for Cardiac Tissue Engineering / Biomaterials: Polymers, Scaffolds, and Basic Design Criteria / Biomaterials as Vehicles for Stem Cell Delivery and Retention in the Infarct / Bioengineering of Cardiac Patches, In Vitro / Perfusion Bioreactors and Stimulation Patterns in Cardiac Tissue Engineering / Vascularization of Cardiac Patches / Acellular Biomaterials for Cardiac Repair / Biomaterial-based Controlled Delivery of Bioactive Molecules for Myocardial Regeneration

Cardiac tissue engineering aims at repairing damaged heart muscle and producing human cardiac tissues for application in drug toxicity studies. This book offers a comprehensive overview of the cardiac tissue engineering strategies, including presenting and discussing the various concepts in use, research directions and applications. Essential basic information on the major components in cardiac tissue engineering, namely cell sources and biomaterials, is firstly presented to the readers, followed by a detailed description of their implementation in different strategies, broadly divided to cellular and acellular ones. In cellular approaches, the biomaterials are used to increase cell retention after implantation or as scaffolds when bioengineering the cardiac patch, in vitro. In acellular approaches, the biomaterials are used as ECM replacement for damaged cardiac ECM after MI, or, in combination with growth factors, the biomaterials assume an additional function as a depot for prolonged factor activity for the effective recruitment of repairing cells. The book also presents technological innovations aimed to improve the quality of the cardiac patches, such as bioreactor applications, stimulation patterns and prevascularization. This book could be of interest not only from an educational perspective (i.e. for graduate students), but also for researchers and medical professionals, to offer them fresh views on novel and powerful treatment strategies. We hope that the reader will find a broad spectrum of ideas and possibilities described in this book both interesting and convincing. Table of Contents: Introduction / The Heart---Structure, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Regeneration / Cell Sources for Cardiac Tissue Engineering / Biomaterials -- Polymers, Scaffolds, and Basic Design Criteria / Biomaterials as Vehicles for Stem Cell Delivery and Retention in the Infarct / Bioengineering of Cardiac Patches, \textit {In Vitro / Perfusion Bioreactors and Stimulation Patterns in Cardiac Tissue Engineering / Vascularization of Cardiac Patches / Acellular Biomaterials for Cardiac Repair / Biomaterial-based Controlled Delivery of Bioactive Molecules for Myocardial Regeneration

This book is a comprehensive and up-to-date resource on the use of regenerative medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. It provides a much-needed review of the rapid development and evolution of bio-fabrication techniques to engineer cardiovascular tissues as well as their use in clinical settings. The book incorporates recent advances in the biology, biomaterial design, and manufacturing of bioengineered cardiovascular tissue with their clinical applications to bridge the basic sciences to current and future cardiovascular treatment. The book begins with an examination of state-of-the-art cellular, biomaterial, and macromolecular technologies for the repair and regeneration of diseased heart tissue. It discusses advances in nanotechnology and bioengineering of cardiac microtissues using acoustic assembly. Subsequent chapters explore the clinical applications and translational potential of current technologies such as cardiac patch-based treatments, cell-based regenerative therapies, and injectable hydrogels. The book examines how these methodologies are used to treat a variety of cardiovascular diseases including myocardial infarction, congenital heart disease, and ischemic heart injuries. Finally, the volume concludes with a summary of the most prominent challenges and perspectives on the field of cardiovascular tissue engineering and clinical cardiovascular regenerative medicine. Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine is an essential resource for physicians, residents, fellows, and medical students in cardiology and cardiovascular regeneration as well as clinical and basic researchers in bioengineering, nanomaterial and technology, and cardiovascular biology.

This detailed volume presents an updated collection of state-of-the-art protocols in cardiac tissue engineering. These protocols demonstrate advancements in cell sourcing, assembly, and use of engineered cardiac tissues, imaging and diagnostics, as well as therapeutic applications. New animal models, biomaterials, and quantitative analyses are described for broad adoption. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Cardiac Tissue Engineering: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition serves as an ideal resource for inspiring the advancement of cardiotoxicity assessment, drug discovery, and heart repair and regeneration in order to accelerate heart health improvement around the globe.

This book covers the fundamentals of tissue engineering for the heart, starting with the basics of organ generation, sensors in tissue and organ fabrication, and the current state-of-the-art in stem cell engineering for the heart. With this foundation in place, the remaining chapters focus on specific aspects of the cardiovascular system, starting with heart muscle, then biological pumps, followed by bioartificial ventricles, and finally, bioartificial hearts. Throughout the course of this book, twenty-two in-depth case studies are presented. Each case study has been selected to illustrate specific design schemes for tissue and organ fabrication. This is an ideal book for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students studying tissue engineering and organ regeneration, especially those focused on cardiac regeneration. This book also: Includes twenty-two case studies that illustrate specific design schemes for engineering the heart Provides open-ended discussion questions at the end of each chapter as well as a detailed reference list to encourage further research and reading Covers the basics of organ fabrication as well as sensor technology and genetic engineering as they relate to tissue and organ fabrication

Cardiac Regeneration and Repair, Volume Two reviews the use of biomaterials, alone or combined with cell therapy, in providing tissue-engineered constructs to repair the injured heart and prevent or reverse heart failure. Part one explores the variety of biomaterials available for cardiac repair, including nanomaterials and hydrogels. Further chapters explore the use of biomaterials to enhance stem cell therapy for restoring ventricular function and generating stem cell-modified intravascular stents. Part two focuses on tissue engineering for cardiac repair, including chapters on decellularized biologic scaffolds, synthetic scaffolds, cell sheet engineering, maturation of functional cardiac tissue patches, vascularized engineered tissues for in vivo and in vitro applications, and clinical considerations for cardiac tissue engineering. Finally, part three explores vascular remodeling, including chapters highlighting aortic extracellular matrix remodeling, cell-biomaterial interactions for blood vessel formation, and stem cells for tissue-engineered blood vessels. Cardiac Regeneration and Repair, Volume Two is complemented by an initial volume covering pathology and therapies. Together, the two volumes of Cardiac Regeneration and Repair provide a comprehensive resource for clinicians, scientists, or academicians fascinated with cardiac regeneration, including those interested in cell therapy, tissue engineering, or biomaterials. Surveys the variety of biomaterials available for cardiac repair, including nanomaterials and hydrogels. Focuses on tissue engineering for cardiac repair including clinical considerations for cardiac tissue engineering Explores vascular remodeling, highlighting aortic extracellular matrix remodeling, cell-biomaterial interactions for blood vessel formation, and stem cells for tissue-engineered blood vessels