New Stem cell conveying hydrogel could assist the heart with recuperating myocardial ischemia – Microbioz India

When blood vessels that feed the heart become blocked, damage to the heart muscle can occur and this can affect cardiac function. By stimulating the formation of new blood vessels, a new stem-cell-carrying gel helps mice overcome this condition called myocardial Infarction. The stem cell delivery system was developed by scientists from Kansai University, Japan. It is published in Science and Technology of Advanced Materials.

The hydrogel acts like a scaffold to hold the stem cells in place at injection site and keep them alive longer. The stem cells release cytokines, which stimulate the formation blood vessels and help the heart to recover. The gel is biodegradable so that it eventually dissolves and can be discarded by the body. Image credit: Kansai University

In their application, the team used stem cells from fat tissue. These stem cells, also known as adipose derived stem cells, have been used in the treatment of damaged cardiac tissue due to reduced blood flow. This is called myocardial Ischemia. Once injected into damaged tissue, the stem cells are supposed to release stimulants that can help regenerate blood vessels. However, they are not able to be retained in the tissue or survive long enough. Scientists have also found that injecting biodegradable hydrogels, which are cell-free, into damaged heart tissue can help partial recovery.

They first created hydrogels that could hold stem cells in place longer at the site where there is tissue damage. They are best used at room temperature. This allows you to easily mix the stem cells. The solution reacts with the body to heat and transforms into a gel when it is injected into the organ.

One hydrogel was particularly good at keeping its gel state. It was made from a mixture of molecules called tri-PCG with acrolyl group attached. The tri-PCG-acryl mixture was then combined with a polythiol derivative.

The team also added stem cells from adipose tissue to the hydrogel. They then observed how long they lived in petri dishes as well as the production of different genes and substances.

The stem cells were able to survive in our injectable hydrogel and released molecules that stimulate blood vessel formation, improving heart function and making it effective for treatment of ischemic heart.

Yuichi Ohya, Bioengineer, Kansai University

After confirming safety, the team plans to next test the therapy on larger animals and then conduct clinical trials in humans. They plan to use their injectable hydrogel for immune cells to treat cancer and in vaccines against viral infections.

Source:

Journal reference:

Yoshizaki, Y.,et al.(2021) Cellular therapy for myocardial ischemia using a temperature-responsive biodegradable injectable polymer system with adipose-derived stem cells.Science and Technology of Advanced Materials.doi.org/10.1080/14686996.2021.1938212.

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New Stem cell conveying hydrogel could assist the heart with recuperating myocardial ischemia - Microbioz India