Towards 3D in vitro models for the study of cardiovascular tissues and disease.
The field of tissue engineering is developing biomimetic biomaterial scaffolds that are showing increasing therapeutic potential for the repair of cardiovascular tissues. However, a major opportunity exists to use them as 3D in vitro models for the study of cardiovascular tissues and disease in addition to drug development and testing. These in vitro models can span the gap between 2D culture and in vivo testing, thus reducing the cost, time, and ethical burden of current approaches. Here, we outline the progress to date and the requirements for the development of ideal in vitro 3D models for blood vessels, heart valves, and myocardial tissue.
Tissue Engineering Research Group, Department of Anatomy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland; Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland; Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research (AMBER) Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Alan J
AJ
Ryan
Tissue Engineering Research Group, Department of Anatomy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland; Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland; School of Mechanical and Design Engineering, Dublin Institute of Technology, Bolton Street, Dublin 1, Ireland.
Claire M
CM
Brougham
Cardiovascular Infection Research Group, School of Pharmacy & Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Carolina D
CD
Garciarena
Cardiovascular Infection Research Group, School of Pharmacy & Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Steven W
SW
Kerrigan
Tissue Engineering Research Group, Department of Anatomy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland; Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland; Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research (AMBER) Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: fjobrien@rcsi.ie.
Fergal J
FJ
O'Brien
D000818:Animals; D001808:Blood Vessels; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases; D006351:Heart Valves; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009206:Myocardium; D023822:Tissue Engineering