Anisotropic conductive scaffolds for post-infarction cardiac repair

Abstract

Myocardial infarction (MI) remains one of the most common and lethal cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), leading to the deterioration of cardiac function due to myocardial cell necrosis and fibrous scar tissue formation. Myocardial infarction (MI) remains one of the most common and lethal cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), leading to the deterioration of cardiac function due to myocardial cell necrosis and fibrous scar tissue formation. After MI, the anisotropic structural properties of myocardial tissue are destroyed, and its mechanical and electrical microenvironment also undergoes a series of pathological changes, such as ventricular wall stiffness, abnormal contraction, conduction network disruption, and irregular electrical signal propagation, which may further induce myocardial remodeling and even lead to heart failure. Therefore, bionic reconstruction of the anisotropic structural–mechanical–electrical microenvironment of the infarct area is key to repairing damaged myocardium. This article first summarizes the pathological changes in muscle fibre structure and conductive microenvironment after cardiac injury, and focuses on the classification and preparation methods of anisotropic conductive materials. In addition, the effects of these anisotropic conductive materials on the behavior of cardiac resident cells after myocardial infarction, such as directional growth, maturation, proliferation and migration, and the differentiation fate of stem cells and the possible molecular mechanisms involved are summarized. The design strategies for anisotropic conductive scaffolds for myocardial repair in future clinical research are also discussed, with the aim of providing new insights for researchers in related fields.