A Novel Pulsatile Bioreactor for Mechanical Stimulation of Tissue Engineered Cardiac Constructs

After myocardial infarction, the implantation of stem cell seeded scaffolds on the ischemic zone represents a promising strategy for restoration of heart function. However, mechanical integrity and functionality of tissue engineered constructs need to be determined prior to implantation. Therefore, in this study a novel pulsatile bioreactor mimicking the myocardial contraction was developed to analyze the behavior of mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord tissue (UCMSC) colonized on titanium-coated polytetrafluorethylene scaffolds to friction stress. The design of the bioreactor enables a simple handling and defined mechanical forces on three seeded scaffolds at physiological conditions. The compact system made of acrylic glass, Teflon reg, silicone, and stainless steel allows the comparison of different media, cells and scaffolds. The bioreactor can be gas sterilized and actuated in a standard incubator. Macroscopic observations and pressure-measurements showed a uniformly sinusoidal pulsation, indicating that the bioreactor performed well. Preliminary experiments to determine the adherence rate and morphology of UCMSC after mechanical loadings showed an almost confluent cellular coating without damage on the cell surface. In summary, the bioreactor is an adequate tool for the mechanical stress of seeded scaffolds and offers dynamic stimuli for pre-conditioning of cardiac tissue engineered constructs in vitro.     «

After myocardial infarction, the implantation of stem cell seeded scaffolds on the ischemic zone represents a promising strategy for restoration of heart function. However, mechanical integrity and functionality of tissue engineered constructs need to be determined prior to implantation. Therefore, in this study a novel pulsatile bioreactor mimicking the myocardial contraction was developed to analyze the behavior of mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord tissue (UCMSC) colonized on...     »

Practical, Experimental/ biomechanics biomedical materials bioreactors cardiology cellular biophysics glass polymers silicones stainless steel tissue engineering/ pulsatile bioreactor tissue engineered cardiac construct mechanical stimulation myocardial infarction stem cell seeded scaffold implantation ischemic zone heart function restoration tissue engineered construct mechanical integrity tissue engineered construct functionality myocardial contraction mimicry mesenchymal stem cell behavior umbilical cord tissue titanium coated polytetrafluorethylene scaffolds friction stress bioreactor design mechanical forces acrylic glass Teflon silicone stainless steel pressure measurements UCMSC adherence rate UCMSC morphology mechanical loading confluent cellular coating mechanical stress dynamic stimuli cardiac tissue engineered construct preconditioning/ A8770J Prosthetics and other practical applications A8770M Biomedical materials A8770G Patient care and treatment A8745B Mechanical properties of tissues and organs A8725 Cellular biophysics     «

Practical, Experimental/ biomechanics biomedical materials bioreactors cardiology cellular biophysics glass polymers silicones stainless steel tissue engineering/ pulsatile bioreactor tissue engineered cardiac construct mechanical stimulation myocardial infarction stem cell seeded scaffold implantation ischemic zone heart function restoration tissue engineered construct mechanical integrity tissue engineered construct functionality myocardial contraction mimicry mesenchymal stem cell behavior um...     »