MIPT researchers have advanced a method for heart cell transplantation by engineering molecular carriers that protect and deliver the cells. This breakthrough could serve as a foundation for a new approach to treating cardiac arrhythmias, a common heart condition. The development was shared with socialbites.ca via the Ministry of Education and Science.
Arrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm. A key factor in rhythm disruption is a barrier that blocks the path of the excitation wave. This obstacle often consists of connective tissue that replaces normal contracting muscle tissue.
“This occurs when, similar to cirrhosis where fibroblasts invade the liver and replace damaged hepatocytes, these connective tissue cells do not perform a functional role but proliferate and create a field of unwanted growth among the necessary cells. In arrhythmias, this means contracting cardiomyocytes are separated by these nonfunctional cells. The remedy involves medical strategies or transplantation of dysfunctional cells, termed ‘weeds,’ to the tissue and their replacement with healthy, functional cells,” explains Sergey Bakumenko, a scientist at the Laboratory of Experimental and Cellular Medicine at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. [Attribution: MIPT Laboratory]
At first glance, the most straightforward idea is to replace damaged heart tissue with healthy stem cells taken from the patient. Yet, scientific experiments have not proven this method consistently effective. Introducing cultured heart cells does not guarantee their survival or seamless integration with the host tissue. In many cases, individual cardiomyocytes lose their structure, becoming fragile and less functional, which undermines the therapeutic goal.
Cooperation with scaffolds—structured supports that act as molecular carriers—offers a way to address this challenge. These scaffolds help maintain the shape of implanted cells and guide their growth, increasing the chances of successful transplantation.
In the MIPT system, scaffolds envelop the cells and help restore excitability immediately before implantation. They also facilitate fibronectin coating, a human protein that starts the graft’s anchor process in tissue and can carry fluorescent markers to monitor cell location externally. This combination supports both the mechanical stability and traceability of transplanted cells.
“The strategy uses polymer nanofiber scaffolds capable of delivering cells precisely where needed. To determine the best delivery method, researchers conducted experiments in which cells were injected into a mouse heart with a syringe or applied as a patch, while all cells consisted of ultra-thin microcarrier nanofibers. Valeria Tsvelaya, head of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology Laboratory of Experimental and Cellular Medicine, noted that cells seeded on microcarriers establish themselves more effectively, integrate functionally faster, and survive longer,” states the research team in a discussion with socialbites.ca. [Attribution: MIPT Laboratory]
According to the scientists, these molecular transporters rapidly establish electromechanical contact with the heart—often within 30 minutes—facilitating communication between the transplanted cells and cardiac tissue. This rapid connection is a key reason why the study could pave the way for a new technique to address arrhythmias. [Attribution: MIPT Research Team]
In summary, the work from MIPT highlights a tangible path toward restoring heart tissue by combining living cells with robust scaffolding that preserves structure and promotes functional integration. The approach emphasizes quick establishment of cell-to-tissue coupling and continuous post-implantation monitoring through molecular markers to ensure proper graft performance. The findings underscore the potential for a treatment paradigm that reduces rhythm disturbances by rebuilding healthy myocardial networks with engineered support systems and well-characterized delivery methods. [Attribution: MIPT Laboratory Updates]
These advances fit within a broader context of cardiac regenerative research, where scientists aim to replace scarred or injured tissue with functional myocardium. While substantial work remains to translate laboratory success into routine clinical practice, the reported results contribute a meaningful step toward safer, more effective therapies for patients experiencing arrhythmias. The ongoing investigations at MIPT and collaborating centers continue to refine the balance between cellular viability, scaffold integrity, and precise delivery, with the overarching goal of improving heart rhythm and patient outcomes. [Attribution: MIPT Research Communications]
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