KEYNOTE: Understanding material-driven in-situ heart valve tissue regeneration

Abstract

We investigate and design in situ heart valve tissue engineering (HVTE) technologies using instructive, cell-free, biodegradable synthetic scaffolds as an approach to creating living heart valves. This lecture addresses the challenges to designing scaffolds that function upon implantation and during the process of tissue formation and scaffold degradation, are capable of harnessing the natural host response through principles of mechanobiology, and provide the necessary cues for a stable and organised load-bearing extracellular matrix under in vivo hemodynamic conditions. It will describe how biomimetic in vitro models are used in direct comparison with in vivo animal experiments to provide handles for optimising scaffold properties. Current challenges concentrate on fully understanding successful vs unsuccessful neo-tissue formation and assessing potential risks, such as neo-tissue calcification. The outcomes may offer new perspectives for readily available grafts that will transform into living, endogenous valve replacements at the site of destination.