A Hydrogel Construct and Fibrin-based Glue Approach to Deliver Therapeutics in a Murine Myocardial Infarction Model.

Summary

This protocol aims to alleviate the limitation of poor cell engraftment for stem cell treatment of myocardial infarctions through the use of a hydrogel system and a fibrin-based glue. With this approach, cell-to-tissue contact post-infarction can be maintained, increasing the therapeutic potential of beneficial agents at the site of injury.

Abstract

The murine MI model is widely recognized in the field of cardiovascular disease, and has consistently been used as a first step to test the efficacy of treatments in vivo¹. The traditional, established protocol has been further fine-tuned to minimize the damage to the animal. Notably, the pectoral muscle layers are teased away rather than simply cut, and the thoracotomy is approached intercostally as opposed to breaking the ribs in a sternotomy, preserving the integrity of the ribcage. With these changes, the overall stress on the animal is decreased.

Stem cell therapies aimed to alleviate the damage caused by MIs have shown promise over the years for their pro-angiogenic and anti-apoptotic benefits. Current approaches of delivering cells to the heart surface typically involve the injection of the cells either near the damaged site, within a coronary artery, or into the peripheral blood stream^2-4. While the cells have proven to home to the damaged myocardium, functionality is limited by their poor engraftment at the site of injury, resulting in diffusion into the blood stream⁵. This manuscript highlights a procedure that overcomes this obstacle with the use of a cell-encapsulated hydrogel patch. The patch is fabricated prior to the surgical procedure and is placed on the injured myocardium immediately following the occlusion of the left coronary artery. To adhere the patch in place, biocompatible external fibrin glue is placed directly on top of the patch, allowing for it to dry to both the patch and the heart surface. This approach provides a novel adhesion method for the application of a delicate cell-encapsulating therapeutic construct.

Introduction

A myocardial infarction (MI) is defined as the interruption of blood to a region of the heart caused by the occlusion of a major coronary artery. The damage resulting from an MI is due to the remodeling of the viable heart tissue into non-functional scar tissue, which decreases the ability of the heart or, more specifically, the left ventricle, to beat properly. This results in a decrease in the volume of blood that can be delivered to the body with every heartbeat, known as the stroke volume, and the percentage of blood that is pumped out of the heart with each heartbeat, known as the ejection fraction⁶. These, along with other diminished functions, increa....

Protocol

Procedure is in full compatibility with IACUC protocol number 13302 and has been approved by the division of animal resources.

1. Instrument Preparation

1. Autoclave all non-disposable instruments used prior to the surgical procedure to ensure sterility.
2. Sterilize instruments used multiple times in a session with a glass bead sterilizer between uses.

2. Hydrogel Preparation

1. Thaw and plate stem cells at least 24 hr prior to creation of the hydrogel construct.
2. Prepare patches one day prior to the surgical procedure using a stereolithography apparatus (or similar instr....

Results

During the surgical procedure, ligation of the left coronary artery can be identified by a marked blanching downstream of the occluded artery. As a test before tying the knot, the suture can be tightened briefly to check if it is in the appropriate place. Additionally, since occlusion of the artery results in almost instantaneous decrease in the ability of the left atrium to properly beat, the left atrium will enlarge in response to a backflow of blood in the system.

M-mode echocardiography me.......

Discussion

With this approach to the murine MI model, we have developed a system that minimizes the damage to non-myocardium areas that are associated with other murine MI techniques. These areas include damage caused by a tracheostomy, the cutting of the muscular layer, and the breakage of ribs to expose the chest cavity. We believe that these changes improve the overall surgical outcome thanks to the care taken to keep as much of the major structures, including the ribs an.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Harvard Model 687 Mouse Ventilator	Harvard Apparatus	55-0001
Inintech Biosciences LLC Dry Glass Bead Sterilizer	Fisher Scientific	NC9531961
Leica MZ6 surgical microscope	Leica
Cautery Kit	Gemini	GEM 5917
Delicate Forceps - 0.4 mm Tips Angled	Fine Science Tools	11063-07
Agricola Retractor - 3.5 cm Spread	Fine Science Tools	17005-04
Spring Scissors - 2.5 mm Blades Straight	Fine Science Tools	15000-08
Castroviejo Needle Holder - w/Lock Tungsten Carbide 14 cm	Fine Science Tools	12565-14
Iris Scissors - Delicate Straight 10.5 cm	Fine Science Tools	14060-10
8-0 monofilament suture	Ethicon	8730P
6-0 Silk suture	Ethicon	639G
Thrombin	Sigma	T7009
Fibrinogen	Sigma	F3879
Vetbond Tissue Adhesive	3M	1469SB