Engineered Heart Slice
JHU REF: C12744
Invention Novelty: A novel method of producing acellular cardiac tissue scaffolds with stem-cells for tissue regeneration products
Value Proposition: Tissue constructs using cardiac cells and a base matrix have been developed in the past, and several methods of creating these constructs have been described. However few have been successful in producing tissue scaffolds that are specific to certain cardiac disease conditions or individualized to the patient in need of therapy. This technology is an Engineered Heart Slice, which offers a novel method of preparing these tissue scaffolds using natural base material obtained from native hearts, de-cellularizing the tissue and then injecting appropriate stem-cells to create an engineered tissue product with regenerative therapy applications. The advantages of this method include:
- Tissue slices can be obtained from different regions of the heart, making them chamber-specific
- Multiple slices can be obtained from the same heart, allowing for replicate material
- Tissue slices can be cryo-preserved and therefore can be viable for a long time
Technical Details: Johns Hopkins researchers have created a novel method of producing acellular cardiac tissue grafts. The cardiac slices can be obtained from either animal or human hearts, and are de-cellularized before further intervention. They can be seeded with differentiated or un-differentiated stem-cells (cardiomyocytes) and can be patient-specific. They are then grown in specifically constructed environments which enhance maturation and physiological function compared to existing techniques. Slices can be preserved in their acellular form for long periods of time.
Looking for Partners: To develop and commercialize the technology as a method of producing cardiac tissue slices for research into drug products, regenerative tissue scaffolds and patient-specific therapies.
Stage of Development: Pre-Clinical
Data Availability: Under CDA/NDA
Patent Status: Pending
Publication(s)/Associated Cases: PMID:25934457; WO/2015/081226
Categories: Cardiac Tissue Engineering
Keywords: Cardiac Tissue, Regenerative medicine, Cardiology, cardiovascular disease, engineered cardiac tissue, De-cellularization, Stem-cell therapy
