OPTIMIZATION OF ACELLULAR MATRIX BIOMATERIAL FOR CARDIAC REGENERATION

Epicardial infarct repair (EIR) is an emerging therapy to promote adaptative post-infarct cardiac regeneration. EIR is achieved by applying bioactive “patches” to epicardium over an ischemic region. We previously showed that acellular porcine small intestinal submucosa ECM (SIS-ECM) biomaterials release factors including fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) that promote regenerative fibroblast activity and improve post-infarct cardiac function. Human trials are ongoing (NCT02887768). We aim to optimize EIR by developing enhanced biomaterials. Herein, we evaluate a modified SIS-ECM with more extensive decellularization and higher FGF-2 levels (Aug-ECM).