V1-Cal hydrogelation enhances its effects on ventricular remodeling reduction and cardiac function improvement post myocardial infarction

Silk fibroin and hydroxypropyl cellulose composite injectable hydrogel-containing extracellular vesicles for myocardial infarction repair

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been recognized as one of the promising specific drugs for myocardial infarction (MI) prognosis. Nevertheless, low intramyocardial retention of EVs remains a major impediment to their clinical application. In this study, we developed a silk fibroin/hydroxypropyl cellulose (SF/HPC) composite hydrogel combined with AC16 cell-derived EVs targeted modification by folic acid for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction repair. EVs were functionalized by distearoylphosphatidyl ethanolamine-polyethylene glycol (DSPE-PEG-FA) via noncovalent interaction for targeting and accelerating myocardial infarction repair.In vitro, cytocompatibility analyses revealed that the as-prepared hydrogels had excellent cell viability by MTT assay and the functionalized EVs had higher cell migration by scratch assay.In vivo, the composite hydrogels can promote myocardial tissue repair effects by delaying the process of myocardial fibrosis and promoting angiogenesis of infarct area in MI rat model.

Insight into Heart-Tailored Architectures of Hydrogel to Restore Cardiac Functions after Myocardial Infarction

With permanent heart muscle injury or death, myocardial infarction (MI) is complicated by inflammatory, proliferation and remodeling phases from both the early ischemic period and subsequent infarct expansion. Though in situ re-establishment of blood flow to the infarct zone and delays of the ventricular remodeling process are current treatment options of MI, they fail to address massive loss of viable cardiomyocytes while transplanting stem cells to regenerate heart is hindered by their poor retention in the infarct bed. Equipped with heart-specific mimicry and extracellular matrix (ECM)-like functionality on the network structure, hydrogels leveraging tissue-matching biomechanics and biocompatibility can mechanically constrain the infarct and act as localized transport of bioactive ingredients to refresh the dysfunctional heart under the constant cyclic stress. Given diverse characteristics of hydrogel including conductivity, anisotropy, adhesiveness, biodegradability, self-healing and mechanical properties driving local cardiac repair, we aim to investigate and conclude the dynamic balance between ordered architectures of hydrogels and the post-MI pathological milieu. Additionally, our review summarizes advantages of heart-tailored architectures of hydrogels in cardiac repair following MI. Finally, we propose challenges and prospects in clinical translation of hydrogels to draw theoretical guidance on cardiac repair and regeneration after MI.

Research Advances of Injectable Functional Hydrogel Materials in the Treatment of Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) has become one of the serious diseases threatening human life and health. However, traditional treatment methods for MI have some limitations, such as irreversible myocardial necrosis and cardiac dysfunction. Fortunately, recent endeavors have shown that hydrogel materials can effectively prevent negative remodeling of the heart and improve the heart function and long-term prognosis of patients with MI due to their good biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and electrical conductivity. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the research progress of injectable hydrogel in the treatment of MI in recent years and to introduce the rational design of injectable hydrogels in myocardial repair. Finally, the potential challenges and perspectives of injectable hydrogel in this field will be discussed, in order to provide theoretical guidance for the development of new and effective treatment strategies for MI.