Heart Health: Tissue 'Velcro' May Repair Damaged Hearts

Tissue made out of "Velcro" could help repair damanged hearts one day. Scientists have created a biocompatible scaffold that allows sheets of beating heart cells to snap together like Velcro.

"One of the main advantages is the ease of use," said Milica Radisic, leader of the new project, in a news release. "We can build larger tissue structures immediately before they are needed, and disassemble them just as easily. I don't know of any other technique that gives this ability."

The usual problem with growing heart muscle cells in the lab is that too often, the cells don't resemble those found in the body. Real heart cells grow in an environment replete with protein scaffolds and support cells that help shape them into long, lean machines. In contrast, lab-grown cells lack these supports and can be weak.

Now, though, researchers have used the Biowire to allow heart cells to grow around a silk suture. Then, the researchers used a special polymer called POMaC to create a 2D mesh for the cells to grow around. When stimulated with an electric current, the heart muscle cells contract together, causing the flexible polymer to bend.

The researchers then bonded T-shaped posts on top of the honeycomb. When a second sheet was placed above, these posts acted like tiny hooks, poking through the holes of the honeycomb and clicking into place. The concept is the same as the plastic hooks and loops of Velcro.

Surprisingly, the sheets started to function almost immediately. As soon as they clicked together, they started beating and when electrical stimulation was applied, they beat in synchrony.

The new findings could be huge when it comes to repairing damaged hearts. More specifically, this could be used in the future to help those who need surgery.

The findings are published in the journal Science Advances.

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