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QUESTIONS
1. Describe the tissue engineering paradigm as it relates
to generating the myocardium. Consider the role of
each component.
3. Describe the ideal properties of a scaffold for cardiac
muscle engineering. Propose how you would develop
such a scaffold. Include materials and fabrication
methods, and how you would anticipate culturing
cells on the scaffold.
4. What challenges will researchers face when implant-
ing cardiac grafts in patients? Focus on both general
and cardiac-specitic issues.
6. Propose a method that helps cardiac grafts connect to
host vasculature once in vivo. Consider biophysical
ANSWERS
1. Tissue engineering using the combination of cells,
scaffold, and a bioreactor to impart biophysical stim-
uli to cells. The cells are the building blocks of the
tissue and must be able to electromechanically cou-
ple to one another, and respond as native cells do to
changes in their environment. Scaffolds must be con-
ducive to cell attachment, promote alignment of the
cells, permit mass transport through the cells, and be
protect and maximize cell function in vivo. When
individual cells are injected into the heart, they are
unshielded from the ischemic environment and must
form cell–matrix and cell–cell connections to elec-
cells to survive and couple in the injury site, but relies
on integration of the whole functioning muscle with
the host myocardium. In this case, cell attrition due to
anoikis and the ischemic environment are no longer
signiticant concerns.
3. All scaffolds should promote cell attachment, degrade
at a comparable rate to cell ECM remodeling, and
have mechanical properties similar to that of the
scaffold should promote cell pulling – stiff enough
to encourage cells to pull on it, and elastic enough
to respond to deform under cell tension. You may
tage of one or more physical properties of different
materials.
4. As with any biological graft, researchers must select
components that do not elicit immune responses
from the recipient. This must be a consideration for
the cells, scaffold, and any components included in
the culture system (i.e., animal-derived products in the
culture media). Scaffolds must be considered for their
ability to elicit a response, as well as the potential
side-effects of their degradation products once they
CHAPTER II.6.11
Cardiac Muscle Tissue Engineering
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5. Perfusion of culture medium through scaffolds can
improve the distribution of cells throughout the scaf-
fold during cell seeding, and further enhance oxygen
and nutrient transport to cells within the scaffold
6. Answers may vary. Some suggestions include engi-
neering vascularized cardiac grafts with endothe-
lial cells that build an intact vasculature that can
be extended to the infarct once implanted. Chemo-
