Hybrid Carbon Nanotube-Polymer Scaffolds for Cardiac Tissue Regeneration

Due to insufficient number of heart transplants and limited regenerative ability of heart tissues, cardiac tissue engineering has emerged to restore or regenerate the structure and function of native cardiac tissues. Scaffolds play a major role to fabricate functional cardiac tissues providing structural support, biodegradation, and cell affinity in tissues. However, currently used scaffolds in stem cell-based cardiac tissue regeneration lack electrical conductivity and high mechanical properties. Here, we propose the use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to enhance electrical and mechanical properties of polyester scaffolds. Swelling of polyesters was mediated after adding CNTs. CNTs also increased electrical conductivity of polyesters. Hybrid CNT-polyester materials showed no cytotoxicity to cardiomyocytes. More importantly, functional properties of cardiac tissues using CNT-polyester scaffolds were improved compared to those made of pure polyester scaffolds.