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Donald Bejleri
BME PhD Proposal Presentation
Date: Tuesday, September 18
Time: 1 PM
Location: IBB 1128
Committee members:
Michael Davis (PI)
Manu Platt
Johnna Temenoff
Hee Cheol Cho
Julie Champion
Bioprinted Cardiac Patch Composed of Cardiac Progenitor Cells and Extracellular Matrix for Heart Repair and Regeneration
Congenital heart defects are present in 8 of 1000 newborns and palliative surgical therapy has increased survival. Despite improved outcomes, many children develop reduced cardiac function and go on to heart failure and transplantation. Human cardiac progenitor cell (hCPC) therapy has potential to repair the pediatric myocardium through reparative factor release but suffers from limited hCPC retention and functionality. Decellularized cardiac extracellular matrix hydrogel (cECM) has been shown to improve heart function in animals while also improving CPC functionality in 2D culture. This proposal focuses on developing a bioprinted cardiac patch composed of native cECM and pediatric hCPCs, for use as an epicardial device that releases key paracrine signaling factors towards the damaged myocardium. Aim 1 will focus on developing a method to generate hCPC-cECM patches and evaluating CPC functionality and patch mechanical properties with cECM incorporation. Aim 2 will attempt to tailor paracrine release of hCPCs in cECM patches by modifying patch components, particularly cell age, matrix composition, and growth conditions. Aim 3 will focus on implementing the patches in vivo in a rat model of heart failure and evaluating the potential improvements to heart function with the therapy, compared to material/cell injection or use of a cell-free patch. It is the hope of this proposal that the hCPC-cECM patches induce cardiac repair and improved function, which allows for translation of the therapy towards treatment of heart failure in pediatric patients.
