Magnetically Aligned Fiber‐Reinforced ECM Patch Loaded With iPSC‐CMs Improves Cardiac Repair After Myocardial Infarction
Xinming Wang, Weichang Xie, Zichen Wang, Haonan Zhang, Jia Li, Xingjian Gao, Dingjie Zhou, Huaiyu Jiang, Shixing Huang, Qiang Zhao, Xiaofeng YeABSTRACT
Repairing anisotropic tissues such as the myocardium requires implanted cells to organize into highly ordered structures. However, achieving controlled cell alignment remains a major challenge for current cell delivery patches. Here, we develop a magnetically aligned, fiber‐reinforced extracellular matrix (ECM) patch that directs anisotropic cell organization and supports stem cell implantation. Poly‐lactic acid fibers containing Fe 3 O 4 are fabricated via electrospinning and controlled hydrolysis, and are aligned uniaxially within ECM hydrogels using an external magnetic field prior to gelation. The resulting ECM–fiber patches exhibit enhanced mechanical strength and reliably guide the alignment of cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. A beating patch is also created by seeding human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC‐CMs). In a nude mouse myocardial infarction (MI) model, implantation of iPSC‐CMs@ECM–fiber patches preserves cardiac function, reduces apoptosis, limits fibrosis, and enhances vascularization. Implanted iPSC‐CMs demonstrate high viability and low immunogenicity. Molecular profiling reveals transient modulation of early inflammatory responses post‐MI, probably mediated through IL‐17, IL‐3, and IL‐1β pathways. Overall, the ECM–fiber patch provides a versatile platform for delivering highly organized cells for in vivo tissue repair.