Different Coating Components on PVA-Alginate Scaffolds and Their Effect on Myocardial Cell Proliferation: A Review

Three-dimensional (۳D) scaffolds are used in tissue engineering to support cell growth, differentiation, and tissue formation. Ultimately, this results in the repair or replacement of damaged tissue. Among these scaffolds, those made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and sodium alginate (SA) are highly effective for cardiac tissue engineering (CTE) due to their synergistic properties. PVA provides high tensile strength and elasticity, mimicking the mechanical demands of beating myocardial muscle. In contrast, alginate offers excellent biocompatibility, allows for the encapsulation of cardiac cells, and facilitates the controlled release of biological growth factors to promote angiogenesis. However, the major limitation of the PVA/alginate blend is its insulating nature. Therefore, surface modification is a critical strategy to enhance bioactivity and address this flaw. Key modifications include adding conductive materials, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or polypyrrole, to enable synchronous beating and electrical coupling between cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, coating the scaffold with ECM proteins (e.g., laminin or collagen) or RGD peptides improves cell attachment and differentiation, while incorporating pro-angiogenic growth factors (e.g., VEGF) ensures vascularization and the long-term viability of thick cardiac patches. These modifications transform the scaffold from a physical support into an active biological platform, providing the mechanical resilience and functional performance necessary for heart repair.

کلیدواژه ها:

Alginate/PVA Scaffolds ، Cardiac Tissue Engineering ، Surface Modification