Injectable Cardiac Cell Microdroplets for Tissue Regeneration. Issue 8 (31st January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gal, Idan; Edri, Reuven; Noor, Nadav; Rotenberg, Matan; Namestnikov, Michael; Cabilly, Itai; Shapira, Assaf; Dvir, Tal
• Is Part Of: Small. Volume 16:Issue 8(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-01-31
• Subjects: cell delivery -- droplets -- hydrogels -- microfluidics -- microscale; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanoparticles -- Periodicals; Microtechnology -- Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.201904806
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1613-6810

Abstract

Abstract: One of the strategies for heart regeneration includes cell delivery to the defected heart. However, most of the injected cells do not form quick cell–cell or cell–matrix interactions, therefore, their ability to engraft at the desired site and improve heart function is poor. Here, the use of a microfluidic system is reported for generating personalized hydrogel‐based cellular microdroplets for cardiac cell delivery. To evaluate the system's limitations, a mathematical model of oxygen diffusion and consumption within the droplet is developed. Following, the microfluidic system's parameters are optimized and cardiac cells from neonatal rats or induced pluripotent stem cells are encapsulated. The morphology and cardiac specific markers are assessed and cell function within the droplets is analyzed. Finally, the cellular droplets are injected to mouse gastrocnemius muscle to validate cell retention, survival, and maturation within the host tissue. These results demonstrate the potential of this approach to generate personalized cellular microtissues, which can be injected to distinct regions in the body for treating damaged tissues. Abstract : An omentum specimen is extracted from the patient and while the extracellular matrix is processed into a personalized hydrogel, the cells are reprogrammed to become induced pluripotent stem cells and differentiate to cardiac cells. These are used in a microfluidics system to generate personalized hydrogel‐based cellular microdroplets for cardiac cell delivery.