Pressure-compacted and spider silk-reinforced fibrin demonstrates sufficient biomechanical stability as cardiac patch in vitro

OBJECTIVE

The generation of bio-/hemocompatible cardiovascular patches with sufficient stability and regenerative potential remains an unmet goal. Thus, the aim of this study was the generation and in vitro biomechanical evaluation of a novel cardiovascular patch composed of pressure-compacted fibrin with embedded spider silk cocoons.

METHODS

Fibrin-based patches were cast in a customized circular mold. One cocoon of Nephila odulis spider silk was embedded per patch during the casting process. After polymerization, the fibrin clot was compacted by 2 kg weight for 30 min resulting in thickness reduction from up to 2 cm to <1 mm. Tensile strength and burst pressure was determined after 0 weeks and 14 weeks of storage. A sewing strength test and a long-term load test were performed using a customized device to exert physiological pulsatile stretching of a silicon surface on which the patch had been sutured.

RESULTS

Fibrin patches resisted supraphysiological pressures of well over 2000 mmHg. Embedding of spider silk increased tensile force 1.8-fold and tensile strength 1.45-fold (p < .001), resulting in a final strength of 1.07 MPa and increased sewing strength. Storage for 14 weeks decreased tensile strength, but not significantly and suturing properties of the spider silk patches were satisfactory. The long-term load test indicated that the patches were stable for 4 weeks although slight reduction in patch material was observed.

CONCLUSION

The combination of compacted fibrin matrices and spider silk cocoons may represent a feasible concept to generate stable and biocompatible cardiovascular patches with regenerative potential.

Growth characteristics of different heart cells on novel nanopatch substrate during electrical stimulation

During a heart attack, the heart's oxygen supply is cut off, and cardiomyocytes perish. Unfortunately, once these tissues are lost, they cannot be replaced and results in cardiovascular disease-the leading cause of deaths worldwide. Advancements in medical research have been targeted to understand and combat the death of these cardiomyocytes. For example, new research (in vitro) has demonstrated that one can expand cardiomyocyte adhesion and proliferation using polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) (50:50 (weight percent)) supplemented with carbon nanofibers (CNFs) to create a cardiovascular patch. However, the examination of other cardiovascular cell types has not been investigated. Therefore, the purpose of this present in vitro study was to determine cell growth characteristics of three different important cardiovascular cell types (aortic endothelial, fibroblast and cardiomyocyte) onto the substrate. Cells were seeded onto different PLGA:CNF ratio composites to determine if CNF density has an effect on cell growth, both in static and electrically stimulated environments. During continuous electrical stimulation (rectangle, 2 nm, 5 V/cm, 1 Hz), cardiomyocyte cell density increased in comparison to its static counterparts after 24, 72 and 120 hours. A minor rise in Troponin I excretion in electrical stimulation compared to static conditions indicated nominal cardiomyocyte cell function during cell experiments. Endothelial and fibroblast cell growth experiments indicated the material hindered or stalled proliferation during both static and electrical stimulation experiments, thus supporting the growth of cardiomyocytes onto the dead tissue zone. Furthermore, the results specified that CNF density did have an effect on PLGA:CNF composite cytocompatibility properties with the best results coming from the 50:50 [PLGA:CNF (weight percent:weight percent)] composite. Therefore, this study provides further evidence that a conductive scaffold using nanotechnology should be further research for various cardiovascular applications.