Abstract
Injectable extracellular matrix (iECM) is a versatile biological material with beneficial properties such as good degradability, promotion of cell survival, immunomodulation, and facilitation of vascular formation. However, intravenous injection of iECM faces challenges like a short retention time in vivo and low concentration at the lesion site. To address these issues, we prepared a composite hydrogel composed of sodium alginate and iECM and administered it via intrapericardial injection, forming a structure akin to cardiac patches within the pericardium. Compared with intramyocardial injection, intrapericardial injection avoids direct myocardial injury and ectopic tumor formation, offering less invasiveness and better biocompatibility. This study demonstrates that the sodium alginate/infusible extracellular matrix (SA/iECM) composite hydrogel can effectively prolong the local retention time of iECM in the heart, enhance electrical conduction between cardiomyocytes, promote angiogenesis at ischemic myocardial sites, inhibit apoptosis in the infarcted region, mitigate left ventricular remodeling postmyocardial infarction (MI), and improve cardiac function after infarction. Precise coordination of cardiomyocyte contraction and relaxation depends on the rhythmic occurrence of calcium-dependent action potentials. Cardiac dysfunction is partially attributed to the disruption of the excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) mechanism, which is associated with prolonged intracellular Ca2+ transients and alterations in contraction and relaxation Ca2+ levels. Our results show that the SA/iECM composite hydrogel improves electrical conduction, as evidenced by increased Cx43 expression and enhanced intercellular electrical connectivity. This research establishes that intrapericardial injection of a SA/iECM composite hydrogel is a safe and effective treatment modality, providing a theoretical basis for the use of biomaterials in MI therapy.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
