Stem cell therapy represents a promising strategy in regenerative medicine. However, live cells need to be carefully preserved and processed before usage. In addition, cell transplantation carries certain immunogenicity and/or tumorigenicity risks. The development of cell-free and non- living therapeutics derived from stem cells has the potential to revolutionize current regenerative medicine practice. Mounting lines of evidences indicate that stem cells exert their beneficial effects mainly through the secretion of pro-regenerative factors. Based on this, we fabricated ?synthetic cardiac stem cells (synCSCs)? by encapsulating cardiac stem cell-secreted factors in a biodegradable polymer block. In a mouse model of myocardial infarction (MI), intramyocardial injection of synCSCs led to preservation of viable myocardium and augmentation of cardiac functions similar to real CSC therapy in immunodeficiency mice with myocardial infarction by permanent vessel ligation. Despite the successful proof of concept, a big challenge is the effective delivery of synthetic cells to the heart. The present proposal represents a logic progression from our previous work. Here we will be developing and testing a new entity: an artificial cardiac patch (artCP) formed by embedding synCSCs into decellularized myocardial extracellular matrix (ECM). Our studies will extend from the previous rodent acute MI model to a chronic heart failure model in both small/large animals. The overarching hypothesis is that artCPs can further improve the efficacy of synCSC therapy in rats and pigs with chronic heart injury.
Aim 1 is to fabricate artCPs and determine in vitro potency.
Aim 2 is to demine the safety and efficacy of artCP therapy in a rat model of chronic infarct.
Aim 3 is to translate the findings into a clinically relevant porcine model of advanced cardiomyopathy. Our study will form the foundation for an innovative and ?off the shelf? therapy based on stem cell factors and myocardium ECM. The cell-free nature of our approach is more readily translatable to the clinic. Although this particular grant application targets the heart and cardiac stem cells, our approach represents a platform technology that can be applied to the creation of multiple types of synthetic stem cell and ECMs for the repair of various other organs.

Public Health Relevance

Myocardial infraction is a leading cause of death and disability at US and cell therapy is a promising strategy to alter the disease progression trajectory. However, live cells need to be carefully preserved and characterized before application. In the proposed study we will fabricate synthetic cardiac stem cells and encapsulate them into a cardiac patch and evaluate their safety and efficacy for cardiac regeneration in small and large animal models of heart diseases. !

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01HL147357-01A1
Application #
9830725
Study Section
Cardiac Contractility, Hypertrophy, and Failure Study Section (CCHF)
Program Officer
Lundberg, Martha
Project Start
2019-09-01
Project End
2023-07-31
Budget Start
2019-09-01
Budget End
2020-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
North Carolina State University Raleigh
Department
Veterinary Sciences
Type
Schools of Veterinary Medicine
DUNS #
042092122
City
Raleigh
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27695