Cardiovascular Disease – VJRegenMed

The future of omentum-based autologous tissue engineering

Simon Ng — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 15:01:23 +0000

Advances in autologous tissue regeneration in the form of an omentum-derived hydrogel and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived tissue have led to promising therapies for spinal cord injury and cardiac infarction. Asaf Toker, MD, Matricelf, Ness Ziona, Israel, provides an overview of the future of this novel technology. Whilst currently only being assessed in two indications, this method of autologous tissue engineering can theoretically be applied to any type of damaged tissue. Potential indications include Parkinson’s Disease, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other musculoskeletal disorders. This interview was conducted during Meeting on the Mediterranean 2022.

Restoring cardiac tissue with omentum-based hydrogel implants

Simon Ng — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 14:43:26 +0000

Asaf Toker, MD, Matricelf, Ness Ziona, Israel, describes of the development of an autologous omental hydrogel to treat damaged cardiac tissue after a myocardial infarction. In a similar fashion to neural implants for spinal cord injuries also produced by Matricelf, the novel therapy utilizes autologous omental tissue that is decellularized to make a thermo-responsive hydrogel. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from the patient’s peripheral blood subsequently differentiates into cardiac tissue when attached to the hydrogel. The implant can either be surgically attached on the injured tissue or can be injected and then solidify once in the body. This interview was conducted during Meeting on the Mediterranean 2022.

Human acellular vessels in coronary artery disease

Simon Ng — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 13:14:38 +0000

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery represents the standard of care for patients with coronary artery disease, and whilst nearby vessels such as the internal mammary artery are utilized to relive blockages, some patients use the saphenous vein in the leg. Harvesting the saphenous vein is less efficacious and carries a higher risk of infection. Alan Kypson, MD, FACS, UNC REX Hospital, Raleigh, NC, describes the development of off-the-shelf human acellular vessels (HAVs) that are resistant to infection. Studies in primate models demonstrated the efficacy of HAVs, where smooth muscle and endothelial cells repopulated the graft, successfully replicating a blood vessel. This interview took place at Advanced Therapies Week 2022.

The development of human acellular vessels and its advantages

Simon Ng — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 13:14:35 +0000

Alan Kypson, MD, FACS, UNC REX Hospital, Raleigh, NC, provides an overview of the manufacturing process of human acellular vessels (HAVs) and their advantages in the clinical setting. The production of HAVs begin with the application of banked human vascular smooth muscle cells on a tubular mesh scaffold which is subsequently placed in a bioreactor. As the mesh degrades, the extracellular matrix remains and decellularization enables the HAV to be non-immunogenic. Dr Kypson highlights additional advantages including the large-scale manufacturing capabilities of HAVs, as well as their off-the-shelf nature. This interview took place at Advanced Therapies Week 2022.

The future of small-diameter human acellular vessels

Simon Ng — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 13:14:34 +0000

Whilst the field of cardiac bioengineering has predominantly focused on 3D printing and cell and gene therapies, research on human acellular vessels (HAVs) is still in its infancy. Alan Kypson, MD, FACS, UNC REX Hospital, Raleigh, NC, discusses current developments in HAVs and their potential applications. Large-diameter HAVs can be applied in dialysis for patients with end-stage renal disease or in a surgical setting for patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Dr Kypson additionally emphasizes future research on small-diameter HAVs, which can be used in patients with cardiovascular disease, especially in patients who often lack the appropriate vessels for bypass surgery. This interview took place at Advanced Therapies Week 2022.

EV-based therapies for myocardial infarction

Simon Ng — Wed, 19 Jan 2022 13:01:32 +0000

Marta Monguió-Tortajada, PhD, Health Science Research Institute Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Badalona, Spain, comments on utilizing extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from mesenchymal stem cells to regenerate cardiac tissue after a myocardial infarction. EVs that were found to promote angiogenesis and reduce inflammation were identified and with a tissue-engineered scaffold, were delivered to scar tissue. After a period of 30 days, fibrosis was reduced and increased cardiac function was observed. This interview took place at the 6th World Congress of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS 2021).

In situ cardiac regeneration with injectable hydrogels

Simon Ng — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 18:02:40 +0000

Valeria Chiono, PhD, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy, provides an overview of developing injectable hydrogels containing microRNA-loaded nanoparticles for regenerating cardiac tissue. There are currently no regenerative therapies for cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarctions, with heart transplantation being the only long-term solution. Injection of nanoparticles loaded with microRNA can induce the conversion of scar tissue to cardiomyocytes in situ. This interview took place at the 6th World Congress of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS 2021).

Polyhydroxyalkanoate-based scaffolds for engineered cardiac tissue

Simon Ng — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 13:05:32 +0000

The formation of scar tissue after a myocardial infarction decreases functionality of the heart, and heart transplantation is often required as a result. Ipsita Roy, PhD, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK, discusses the role of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) in cardiac tissue engineering. Patches made from PHA seeded with cardiac tissue derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iSPCs) can surpass the need for transplantation by regenerating healthy tissue in the heart. PHAs are biocompatible and have demonstrated promising efficacy as a drug delivery system. Prof. Roy also highlights the development of multi-material patches with the addition of alginate. This interview took place at the 6th World Congress of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS 2021).

Addressing challenges in cardiac tissue engineering

Simon Ng — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 13:05:28 +0000

Transplantation is the current solution for patients with heart failure, but can result in organ rejection and requires immunosuppressive medication. Carmine Gentile, PharmD/PhD, FAHA, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia, comments on remaining barriers to successfully developing tissue engineered tissue for cardiovascular disease. Replicating the vascular network of the heart, as well the contractile force of the host cardiac tissue remains a challenge for researchers. Dr Gentile additionally highlights clinical translation issues associated with tissue engineering. This interview took place at the 6th World Congress of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS 2021).

The industrialization of regenerative medicine

Simon Ng — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 16:12:13 +0000

Laura Niklason, MD, PhD, Yale University, New Haven, CT & Humacyte, Durham, NC, describes the mass manufacturing of advanced therapies, including bioengineered human vessels. Various stimuli, as well as growth and physical factors were identified that can successfully stimulate the growth of new arteries from vascular cells. Dr Niklason emphasizes the need to keep those conditions constant to industrialize the production of blood vessels, and instead of scaling up, a scaling out approach should be adopted, where the manufacturing process is repeated in multiple bioreactors. This interview took place at the 6th World Congress of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS 2021).