Abstract 303: Decreasing Microenvironment Stiffness Improves Exogenous Extracellular Matrix Induced Heart Regeneration in Neonatal Mouse

Abstract

Introduction: Transplanting cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) has been demonstrated to influence healing in post-ischemic hearts. We propose that altering mechanical properties can stimulate a regenerative response in ECM-treated hearts. In this study, we investigate the role of mechanical unloading and solubilized ECM to modulate matrix-induced heart regeneration in low-regenerative P5 neonatal mice after acute myocardial infarction and mouse ventricle explants. Methods: P5 neonatal mouse heart stiffness was lowered by inhibiting formation of new collagen crosslinks. Solubilized fetal ECM was injected immediately after myocardial infarction (MI). Heart function and histology were conducted at week 3 post-MI. Cardiac ventricle explants were also used to investigate relevant signaling pathways. Results: We observed that lowering tissue stiffness increased the regenerative influence of fetal ECM treatment on heart function, fibrosis, and cardiomyocyte proliferation. Decrease heart stiffness inhibits fibrosis and better preserves heart function in fetal ECM treated hearts (Figure 1). We further provide evidence that yes-associated protein (Yap) signaling pathway plays a role in ECM-induced cardiomyocyte proliferation possibly through cytoskeleton polymerization.The results suggest that the native microenvironment stiffness, particularly with aging or post-ischemia, affects the therapeutic efficacy of drugs for heart disease. Figure 1 . Fetal ECM treatment P5 mouse hearts showed a higher ejection fraction in comparison with the control hearts at 3-weeks post-MI. Decreasing heart stiffness in P5 mouse heart further promoted increased ejection fraction in fetal ECM treated animals. (n=5, two-way ANOVA test and Tukey’s test, *p<0.05, ****p<0.0001.)