Abstract

Due to the very limited ability of cardiac tissue to self-regenerate, the replacement of damaged cardiomyocytes and the repair of damaged extracellular matrix (ECM) are highly sought-after therapeutic strategies. Cell transplantation in ECM scaffolds has been shown to improve retention, phenotype, and function in vascular and muscle repair. In addition to cellular patches that involve the use of biomaterial scaffolds in combination with cells, acellular patches may have a role in intrinsically recruiting cells to damaged areas. This review focuses on the clinically relevant ECM scaffolds, their interactions with cells to stimulate functions such as adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation, and their intrinsic role in ECM remodeling leading to vascular and possibly myocardial repair.

Keywords: Tissue engineering, biomaterials, cell therapy, myocardial repair, vascular repair, extracellular matrix