Biomimetic Materials Design for Cardiac Tissue Regeneration

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Globally, heart failure is among the principal cause of death. Heart transplantation is the only way out to replace the diseased or damaged heart. Since this technique has several disadvantages, newer therapeutic approaches are required for cardiac repair. One such approach is cardiac tissue engineering, which helps in designing and developing biomimetic materials that mimic the microenvironment of the myocardium. Approaches for cardiac tissue engineering consists of cell injection, tissue patch implantation, replacement of the valve, and injection of acellular materials. Biomaterials are designed to support stem cell expansion, protection, and differentiation. They also facilitate cell retention, cell survival and provide mechanical support. Advances in nanotechnology have made the biomimetic material design more advanced as it can deliver bioactive factors, manipulate surface topography, control cell behavior, and align cells and tissues properly. Furthermore, electrical conductivity and mechanical stiffness can be modulated as well. Overall, biomimetic materials are the new therapeutic approaches in the field of cardiac regenerative medicine, demonstrating their potential in treating heart disease.