Conductive single-wall carbon nanotubes/extracellular matrix hybrid hydrogels promote the lineage-specific development of seeding cells for tissue repair through reconstructing an integrin-dependent niche

Background: The niche of tissue development in vivo involves the growth matrix, biophysical cues and cell-cell interactions. Although natural extracellular matrixes may provide good supporting for seeding cells in vitro, it is evitable to destroy biophysical cues during decellularization. Reconstructing the bioactivities of extracellular matrix-based scaffolds is essential for their usage in tissue repair. Results: In the study, a hybrid hydrogel was developed by incorporating single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) into heart-derived extracellular matrixes. Interestingly, insoluble SWCNTs were well dispersed in hybrid hydrogel solution via the interaction with extracellular matrix proteins. Importantly, an augmented integrin-dependent niche was reconstructed in the hybrid hydrogel, which could work like biophysical cues to activate integrin-related pathway of seeding cells. As supporting scaffolds in vitro, the hybrid hydrogels were observed to significantly promote seeding cell adhesion, differentiation, as well as structural and functional development towards mature cardiac tissues. As injectable carrier scaffolds in vivo, the hybrid hydrogels were then used to delivery stem cells for myocardial repair in rats. Similarly, significantly enhanced cardiac differentiation and maturation(12.5 +/- 2.3% VS 32.8 +/- 5%) of stem cells were detected in vivo, resulting in improved myocardial regeneration and repair. Conclusions: The study represented a simple and powerful approach for exploring bioactive scaffold to promote stem cell-based tissue repair.

Automated summary

The study developed a hybrid hydrogel by incorporating single-wall carbon nanotubes into heart-derived extracellular matrixes, reconstructing an augmented integrin-dependent niche to activate integrin-related pathway of seeding cells. The hybrid hydrogels significantly promoted seeding cell adhesion, differentiation, and structural and functional development towards mature cardiac tissues as supporting scaffolds in vitro; and enhanced cardiac differentiation and maturation of stem cells in vivo for improved myocardial regeneration and repair.