Analyis of biological compatibility of polylactide nanofibrous matrix vitalized with cardiac fibroblasts in a porcine model

Currently the use of synthetic biodegradable polymers based on polyurethane, polycaprolactone, polylactic and polyglycolic acids structures and their co-polymers is one of the most perspective directions of tissue engineering development. Electrospinning was found as an optimal way to produce nanofibers suitable for building several types of biomaterial scaffolds that are used in cell therapy. This technology allows creating a stable biodegradable and highly biocompatible matrix. In this study we investigate the viability of cardiac fibroblasts cultivated on polymeric nanofibrous scaffolds in vitro and in vivo after implantation in the myocardium of an experimental animal. Polymeric nanofibers were produced on an electrospinning unit. Prepared matrixes were vitalized with cell cultures, received from atriums of several mini-pigs. Cell viability was estimated by the use of XTT based colorimetric assay. Two groups of mini-pigs were selected for this research. The first group underwent a procedure of intramyocardial implantation of a matrix, grown with cardiac cell culture. In the second group a clear polymeric matrix was implanted. Seven days after the procedure animals were sacrificed and fragments of myocardium containing implants were harvested. Frozen sections were prepared immediately, then a standard histological analysis and immunofluorescent staining were performed. Current results can be significant for further development of polymeric scaffolds and for research of biophysical and electrophysiological features of cardiac cell cultures, what will help to expand the abilities of contemporary regenerative medicine and may become a standard of autological biological therapy.

tissue engineering, cell culture, electrospinning, biomaterials, regenerative medicine