The Institute of Materials Research (IIM) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the Autonomous University of Querétaro (UAQ) and the National Medical Center ‘Siglo XXI’ have developed a method for healing and repair of tissue damaged by heart diseases.

IIM researcher Dr. Alfredo Maciel Cerda heads the interdisciplinary group of specialists and students who develop cellular scaffolds that will help regenerate damaged heart tissue.

According to the National Academy of Medicine of Mexico (ANMM), the myocardial necrosis is death of the cells of an area of the heart muscle (myocardium) as a result of oxygen deprivation caused by a myocardial infarction. Also known as heart attack, the myocardial infarction occurs when there is a total and sustained obstruction of the coronary arteries, impeding the blood supply to the heart’s muscle.

In an interview for the Informative Agency Conacyt, Dr. Maciel explained the research and its relevance. Dr. Maciel specializes in the development of scaffolds for cell growth. These scaffolds try to mimic the extracellular matrix of both plant and animal living tissues, even in fungi.

In collaboration of Dr. Guillermo Prado, who works at the National Medical Center ‘Siglo XXI’, Dr. Maciel decided to find solutions for tissue regeneration. “He has to face these patients and is very interested in creating a solution; so, he invited us to participate in this work,” said Dr. Maciel regarding Dr. Prado.

“By developing scaffolding tissues we can help new tissue grow in the area that was affected to restore the functionality of the organs,” said Dr. Maciel. This method, he said, represents an alternative to other types of procedures for tissue regeneration or those involving organ transplants.

For heart tissue regeneration, the scaffolds are designed to be placed on the surface of the heart. They are made of biodegradable and biocompatible polymers, because they need to be in contact with the living tissue during the regeneration process. Once placed in the damaged area, the surrounding cells can grow and the scaffold starts to disintegrate.

Besides the polymers, the scaffolds have to contain other types of molecules. In this case they contain collagen, so that the growing cells find a familiar environment and adhere to the polymer. Additionally, there is another compound used which can help the regeneration of heart muscle tissue. “Another compound we are using is epicatechin, and the idea is that once installed the scaffold, cells will stick to it, which will serve as support,” said Dr. Maciel.

The researchers hope that the combination of these two compounds allows restoring damaged tissue in the myocardium as soon as possible after a heart attack. According to the researcher, when there is an infarction, the cells that stop receiving blood die, and the immune system discard them; then the immune system fills the spaces left with fibroblasts and collagen, which impedes the original functionality of the lost tissue.

“The scaffold helps the tissue around the damaged one to start growing, causing the cells to migrate into the damaged space. That is, it allows the muscle to regenerate with the same type of tissue than the original and that it is strengthened again. When the area is small, scaffolding is not necessary, but when it is large, its installation is necessary.”

The research team has been working in the project for about a year and a half. During the course of the study they have developed the scaffolds as a test with morphological and mechanical characterization, in order to see the properties they have to sterilize them and take them to the cell culture.

So far the research has tested the scaffolds in vitro, but the scientists plant to test it in animal models this year.

“We do not do tests yet. We do everything in vitro, but the time will come and I believe that this year, we could try them on laboratory animals, and then use it with patients of Dr. Prado,” said the specialist. Expectations regarding the installation of scaffolds in humans are through a simple and less invasive surgery than a transplant. The scaffold could be placed in the infarcted area, helping to reduce the damage and muscle recovery time.

 

Source: Agencia ID