Organ failure results from the inability of an organ to perform normally. Those who suffer from organ failure have limited treatment options. One commonly sought after option is organ transplantation. The problem with this treatment is that the supply of organs for transplants simply can’t meet the demand. Also, complications such as transplant rejection and the fact that donors often need to be near death can limit the capabilities of this treatment option. Other options include the use of mechanical devices to aid failing organs and the creation of artificial organs, but current findings indicate that the risks outweigh the potential benefits. A third option revolves around the idea of regeneration, in which new organs are grown from the patient’s cells. This treatment option is preferred since it avoids the problem of transplant rejection. However, this requires specific substrates that meet certain conditions (e.g. not interfering with normal cellular processes) in order for the cells to be successfully grown. Finding these substrates can be difficult, but a recent study has discovered a potential substrate that can be used to grow cardiac tissue.
Image Source: PM Images
Researchers have learned that genetically engineered spidroin fibers could be used as a substrate to grow cardiac tissue. Spidroin is a protein that makes up the silk spun by spiders. The material’s strength and elasticity compares favorably to that of steel and nylon. The researchers extracted cardiomyocytes (the cells that make up cardiac tissue) from rats and placed them on the fiber matrices. Within three to five days, they noticed that a layer of cells developed on the substrate. The researchers then confirmed that what was grown was cardiac tissue by testing for the ability of the cells to contract and conduct electricity.
The discovery of this substrate is striking because it suggests that a human heart could potentially be grown on the material that spiders use to make their webs. More importantly, the study provides hope for those in need of a better heart, as well as those who suffer from organ failure in general. Many people currently rely on organ transplantation to treat their organ problems, but if the method of regeneration is perfected, growing organs from one’s own cells would likely serve as the better option.
Feature Image Source: Good Morning Sunshine! by Ron De Boom!
