FRESH 3D bioprinting a contractile heart tube using human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes

Abstract

Here we report the 3D bioprinting of a simplified model of the heart, similar to that observed in embryonic development, where the heart is a linear tube that pumps blood and nutrients to the growing embryo. To this end, we engineered a bioinspired model of the human heart tube using freeform reversible of embedding of suspended hydrogels 3D bioprinting. The 3D bioprinted heart tubes were cellularized using human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts and formed patent, perfusable constructs. Synchronous contractions were achieved āˆ¼3ā€“4 days after fabrication and were maintained for up to a month. Immunofluorescent staining confirmed large, interconnected networks of sarcomeric alpha actinin-positive cardiomyocytes. Electrophysiology was assessed using calcium imaging and demonstrated anisotropic calcium wave propagation along the heart tube with a conduction velocity of āˆ¼5 cm sāˆ’1. Contractility and function was demonstrated by tracking the movement of fluorescent beads within the lumen to estimate fluid displacement and bead velocity. These results establish the feasibility of creating a 3D bioprinted human heart tube and serve as an initial step towards engineering more complex heart muscle structures.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Mar 16, 2022
Source ID
10.1088/1758-5090/ac58be

Entities

People

  • Adam W Feinberg
  • Andrew R Lee
  • Brian Coffin
  • Daniel J Shiwarski
  • Jacqueline Bliley
  • Joshua Tashman
  • Maria Stang
  • Thomas Hinton

Organizations

  • Food and Drug Administration
  • Office of Naval Research

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • Nanocomposite Materials Science

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology