A novel heart repair method utilizing cardiac organoids interlaced with nanowires has been introduced by scientists from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and Clemson University (CU), which has demonstrated a substantial restoration of cardiac function in preclinical models. This advancement may present a viable option to heart transplants for the repair of heart tissue in the future.
Research in its early stages suggests that these nanowired cardiac organoids might be capable of not only preventing additional heart damage but also repairing hearts.
In the United States, heart disease stands as a primary cause of mortality, with one person dying from it every 36 seconds. Heart attacks, a prevalent outcome of heart disease, arise when the flow of blood to the heart is impeded, causing a shortage of oxygen and nutrients and leading to irreversible tissue damage. Despite the effectiveness of stents and drugs in reopening blocked vessels, they fail to mend the injured heart tissue, leaving patients susceptible to subsequent complications.
Progress in Repairing Heart Tissue
A collaboration between bioengineers and clinician-scientists at MUSC and CU is nearing a transformative breakthrough that could reshape cardiac treatment by mending damaged heart tissue. Their encouraging preclinical results were published in the August edition of Science Advances. The initiative is headed by Dr. Ying Mei, who holds a joint position at both CU and MUSC and is part of the CU-MUSC Bioengineering program. Ryan Barrs, a Ph.D. candidate in the joint program, is a primary author of the study.
“Typically, the damage from heart attacks is deemed irreversible and might necessitate heart transplants, which are limited in availability,” Barrs commented. “We’ve developed ‘mini-hearts’ with electrical conductivity that can be introduced into the injured heart muscle to reestablish its function.”
Addressing the Hurdles in Cardiac Cell Therapy
Various researchers have endeavored to unlock the method for heart self-repair. A potential solution was to use individual stem cells capable of differentiating into heart tissue that promotes repair, but this strategy has been insufficient.
To explain why consider the disordered state within a heart post-attack – an area filled with inflamed tissue and incessant beating that is hostile to new cells. Introducing individual stem cells resembles planting a fragile plant in the midst of a tempest; their chances of survival are minimal, Mei pointed out.
“The heart often forces stem cells into the bloodstream, leading to potential side effects and reduced efficiency,” Mei elucidated. “Moreover, these single cells encounter a hostile environment in the heart, particularly following a heart attack, diminishing their survival and functional capacity.”
Organoid Technology and Nanowires in Cardiac Healing
Mei’s multidisciplinary team has devised a new approach that overcomes the shortcomings of previous methods. They have created a more robust cellular architecture named cardiac organoids, enveloping the stem-cell-derived heart cells. These can be envisioned as tightly bound clusters of structural cells that can better endure the heart’s challenging environment.
“By converting these cells into compact heart-like microtissues, we can form a more durable and resilient structure, capable of surviving abrupt environmental shifts,” stated Mei.
In an animal study, the direct injection of these cardiac organoids into the heart resulted in a 39% recuperation of the lost function from a simulated heart attack. This suggests that the cellular apparatus not only prevents additional damage but also aids in repairing the already injured tissue.
The team still aimed to enhance this further.
“We realized that an additional layer of engineering was necessary for proper integration with the host tissue,” said Mei.
Hence, the integration of electrically conductive silicon nanowires was conceptualized. These microscopic, biocompatible wires, which are not visible to the naked eye, fortify the organoids, enabling synchronization with the heart’s natural electrical rhythms. This synchronization aids the aggregated cells in coordinated movement, improving their integration and function within the existing heart tissue.
The outcome? A remarkable 69% enhancement in cardiac function.
Vision for the Future
The development of nanowired human cardiac organoids could signify a significant stride in cardiac care, advancing from just preventing further damage to actively repairing the existing damage.
“Our research is the inaugural demonstration in a preclinical model that this fusion of nanotechnology and organoid technology is promising for the repair of tissue after a heart attack,” Mei declared.
The team is now dedicated to advancing and perfecting this technique. “Initially, we aim to explore in greater depth how the nanowires enhance the therapy provided by cardiac organoids,” Barrs mentioned. Additional investigation, trials, and validations are requisite to transition this methodology to clinical application. If ongoing research continues to validate the potential of this innovative approach, Mei anticipates its progression to clinical trials within the coming decade.
“Our highest aspiration is to deliver a therapy for healing injured hearts that is more effective and available than a heart transplant,” Mei stated.
Reference: “Nanowired human cardiac organoid transplantation enables highly efficient and effective recovery of infarcted hearts” by Yu Tan, Robert C. Coyle, Ryan W. Barrs, Sophia E. Silver, Mei Li, Dylan J. Richards, Yiliang Lin, Yuanwen Jiang, Hongjun Wang, Donald R. Menick, Kristine Deleon-Pennell, Bozhi Tian, and Ying Mei, 4 August 2023, Science Advances.
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf2898
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about nanowired cardiac organoids
What are nanowired cardiac organoids?
Nanowired cardiac organoids are a new form of cardiac tissue engineering involving stem-cell-derived heart cells surrounded by a robust cellular structure. These organoids are enhanced with electrically conductive silicon nanowires to improve their integration and function when implanted into damaged heart tissue.
How do nanowired cardiac organoids work in repairing heart tissue?
When these cardiac organoids are injected into a damaged heart, the nanowires within them help synchronize the organoids’ cells with the heart’s electrical signals, allowing for better integration and coordination with the existing heart tissue. This process has been shown to significantly recover lost heart function in preclinical models.
What was the recovery rate of heart function in the preclinical models using these organoids?
In animal studies, the injection of these cardiac organoids directly into the heart led to a 39% recovery of the function lost due to a simulated heart attack. With the addition of silicon nanowires, there was a 69% increase in heart function.
Who is leading the research on nanowired cardiac organoids?
The research is being led by Dr. Ying Mei, who has a joint appointment at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and Clemson University (CU), as part of the CU-MUSC Bioengineering program.
What makes nanowired cardiac organoids a potentially better option than heart transplants?
Nanowired cardiac organoids represent a potentially less invasive and more readily available treatment for repairing heart tissue compared to heart transplants. They can be injected directly into the heart to repair damage, which could overcome the limitations of donor heart availability and the risks associated with transplant surgeries.
What is the next step in the research of nanowired cardiac organoids?
The next step involves more in-depth investigations into how the nanowires improve the therapy provided by cardiac organoids, followed by further research, testing, and validations. The goal is to refine the technique to the point where it can be tested in clinical trials.
When might nanowired cardiac organoids become a clinical reality?
If ongoing research continues to yield positive results, the team hopes that nanowired cardiac organoids will be tested in clinical trials within the next decade. However, this timeline can vary depending on the outcomes of future studies and regulatory approvals.
More about nanowired cardiac organoids
- Cardiac Organoids and Nanowires in Heart Repair
- MUSC News on Groundbreaking Cardiac Repair
- Clemson University Research Innovations
- Science Advances Journal
- Nanotechnology in Medicine
- Bioengineering and Heart Disease
- Stem Cells in Cardiac Therapy
- Preclinical Studies Overview
- Organoid Research Developments
- Electrical Stimulation in Cardiac Repair
5 comments
i’ve been following stem cell research for years and its always been a bit of letdown but this? Using nanowires and organoids? Could be a real game-changer, hats off to Dr. Mei and his team!
Gotta say im skeptical. we’ve seen so many “breakthroughs” that never panned out. how many years away are we from this actually being available to patients? and at what cost? Hope it’s not just another pipe dream.
Wow, this is huge news for heart disease treatment I mean, we’re talking about actual repair of heart muscle, not just making do with what’s left that’s left after a heart attack. Incredible work by the team at MUSC and CU!
the fact that they’re talking about injecting these organoids directly into the heart and seeing such a big improvement in function, it’s just astounding, But like, what are the long term effects? has to be more research on this.
heart disease is no joke, lost my dad to it last year if this nanowire tech can save lives, I’m all for it. Let’s hope the clinical trials start soon and it’s not stuck in the lab forever.