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Rationale: More than 25 million individuals have heart failure worldwide, with 4000 patients currently awaiting
heart transplantation in the United States. Donor organ shortage and allograft rejection remain major limitations
with only 2500 hearts transplanted each year. As a theoretical alternative to allotransplantation, patient-derived
bioartificial myocardium could provide functional support and ultimately impact the treatment of heart failure.
Objective: The objective of this study is to translate previous work to human scale and clinically relevant cells for
the bioengineering of functional myocardial tissue based on the combination of human cardiac matrix and human
induced pluripotent stem cellderived cardiomyocytes.
Methods and Results: To provide a clinically relevant tissue scaffold, we translated perfusion-decellularization to
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human scale and obtained biocompatible human acellular cardiac scaffolds with preserved extracellular matrix
composition, architecture, and perfusable coronary vasculature. We then repopulated this native human cardiac
matrix with cardiomyocytes derived from nontransgenic human induced pluripotent stem cells and generated
tissues of increasing 3-dimensional complexity. We maintained such cardiac tissue constructs in culture for 120
days to demonstrate definitive sarcomeric structure, cell and matrix deformation, contractile force, and electrical
conduction. To show that functional myocardial tissue of human scale can be built on this platform, we then partially
recellularized human whole-heart scaffolds with human induced pluripotent stem cellderived cardiomyocytes.
Under biomimetic culture, the seeded constructs developed force-generating human myocardial tissue and showed
electrical conductivity, left ventricular pressure development, and metabolic function.
Conclusions: Native cardiac extracellular matrix scaffolds maintain matrix components and structure to support
the seeding and engraftment of human induced pluripotent stem cellderived cardiomyocytes and enable the
bioengineering of functional human myocardial-like tissue of multiple complexities.(Circ Res. 2016;118:56-72.
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.115.306874.)
Key Words: cardiomyocytes extracellular matrix induced pluripotent stem cells regeneration
Original received May 20, 2015; revision received October 6, 2015; accepted October 26, 2015. In September 2015, the average time from submission
to first decision for all original research papers submitted to Circulation Research was 12.75 days.
From the Center for Regenerative Medicine (J.P.G., J.M.C., B.J.J., P.T.M., S.E.G., T.O., G.G., H.C.O.), Cardiovascular Research Center (R.W.M.,
D.J.M.), Division of Cardiology (D.J.M.), and Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery (H.C.O.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston,
MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (J.P.G., B.J.J., P.T.M., S.E.G., G.G., H.C.O.); Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic
Institute, Worcester, MA (J.R.G., G.R.G.); and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA (H.C.O.).
The online-only Data Supplement is available with this article at http://circres.ahajournals.org/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.
115.306874/-/DC1.
Correspondence to Harald C. Ott, MD, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital,
55 Fruit St, Blake 15 Boston, MA 02114. E-mail hott@partners.org
2015 American Heart Association, Inc.
Circulation Research is available at http://circres.ahajournals.org DOI: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.115.306874
56
Guyette et al Human Myocardium on Native Extracellular Matrix 57
augmentation have been accomplished by direct delivery flow to 40 hearts in a custom organ chamber (60 mmHg,
of contractile cardiomyocytes and passive biomaterials.69 average cold ischemia time of 455184 minutes; Online
Following similar principles, different scaffold materi- Figure I). Hearts were perfusion-decellularized with 1% SDS
als and cells have been combined to generate tissue-engi- (168 hours), deionized H2O (24 hours), 1% Triton-X100 (24
neered myocardium. In both approaches, contractile graft hours), and PBS washes (168 hours) following a standard-
thickness is limited because of poor diffusion and neo- ized protocol (Figure1A).16 Decellularized hearts contained
vascularization that fails to meet the demand of cardiac 346.1727.92 ng/mg wet tissue of residual double-stranded
myocyte metabolism.1012 Graft architecture and electro- DNA, which could be removed by treatment with endonu-
mechanical integration are constrained by nonphysiologi- clease (Figure1B). Subsequent perfusion of decellularized
cal scaffold properties and the altered properties of scarred whole hearts with 25 U/mL of endonuclease at room tem-
myocardium. Successful clinical application of myocardial perature for 24 hours demonstrated a 99.05% reduction in
regeneration will depend on the ability to establish physi- double-stranded DNA (3.273.12 ng/mg wet tissue; P<0.05),
ological tissue architecture and immediate graft perfusion with thresholds meeting established criteria for decellular-
on implantation. Native human heart matrix provides the ized biomaterials.17 Biochemical analysis of perfusion-decel-
physiological micro- and macroarchitecture, ECM com- lularized hearts from both DCD and DBD donors indicated
position, and the perfusable hierarchical vascular bed, a high retention of insoluble collagen, moderate decrease of
serving as a foundational scaffold to engineer bioartificial sulfated glycosaminoglycans, and lower concentrations of -
myocardium.13,14 elastin and soluble collagen (Figure1C; Online Figure II).
By translating our previous work to human scale,15 Importantly, we did not detect measureable amounts of re-
we demonstrate successful application of whole-organ sidual SDS in decellularized hearts (<0.02% wt/vol extract;
perfusion-decellularization to human hearts and generate below detection limit).18
acellular cardiac scaffolds with preserved ECM material Proteomics analysis indicated an 89.14% reduction
properties, structure, patent coronary conduits, with an im- of the cadaveric cardiac proteome (967 proteins), with
munologic profile that induces a constructive remodeling the identification of 105 unique proteins in decellular-
response. By comparing brain death and donation after ized hearts (Figure1D). Matrisome proteins were identi-
cardiac death (DCD) donors, we validate this new regen- fied by querying our cadaveric and decellularized lists of
erative platform from >5500 currently unused donor hearts unique proteins with the UniProt database for the subcel-
per year.3 By deriving cardiomyocytes from nontransgen- lular location search terms ECM and basement membrane,
ic adult-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) at exclusively and combined, as defined cellular component
clinical scale, we provide the necessary building blocks terms by the Gene Ontology Consortium.19,20 Acellular
for clinically relevant myocardial regeneration. By repop- heart scaffolds showed a marked retention of 36 matrisome
ulating native human heart matrix in sections, fibers, and proteins following the perfusion-decellularization process
biomimetic whole-organ culture, we show the potential (Figure1D). Normalized relative abundances of uniquely
for creating functional human myocardial-like tissue from identified matrisomal proteins in both cadaveric and decel-
an autologous source to augment or replace lost myocar- lularized human myocardium were further categorized into
dial function and serve as a patient-specific development ECM-protein families (Figure1E). The 4 largest ECM-
platform. protein families are conserved across cadaveric and decel-
lularized cardiac matrix (collagens, laminins, fibrillins,
Methods and proteoglycans), with the largest relative contributions
All Methods and associated references are included in the online Data to the decellularized scaffolds being fibrillin-1, collagen
Supplement. IV, heparin sulfate, and laminin -1. Whole lists of unique
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Figure 1. Biological and mechanical characterization of decellularized human myocardium. A, A human heart before (i), during (ii),
and after (iii) pressure-controlled perfusion-decellularization. B, DNA content of decellularized myocardium pre- and postperfusion with
nuclease (n=3 hearts). Normalized to tissue wet weight. Error bars, SD. *P<0.05 compared with preperfusion with nuclease. C, Biochemical
analysis for insoluble collagen (hydroxyproline), soluble collagen, -elastin, and sulfated glycosaminoglycans (s-GAGs) on normal
cadaveric human myocardium (C; n=5 hearts), decellularized human cardiac matrix from hearts donated after brain death (B; n=4), and
decellularized human cardiac matrix from hearts donated after cardiac death (D; n=4). Three tissue samples were analyzed (Continued)
Guyette et al Human Myocardium on Native Extracellular Matrix 59
Figure 1 Continued. per heart per component, and the average of those 3 was used as the representative value for the component
in that heart. Normalized to tissue wet weight. Error bars, SD. *P<0.05 compared with cadaveric condition. D, Number of unique
proteins identified through proteomics analysis in cadaveric (C) and decellularized (D) human myocardium. Total (black) represents all
unique proteins identified. Matrisome (white) represents proteins in the total known to be a part of the extracellular matrix or basement
membrane. Other (gray) represents nonmatrisome proteins in the total. E, Left, Pie charts of major components (collagens, laminins,
fibrillins, and proteoglycans) in the cadaveric and decellularized matrisome based on normalized relative abundance. Right, Stacked
bar charts illustrating further breakdown of the major components into specific identified proteins. F, Immunohistochemical staining of
decellularized human myocardium for collagens I, III, IV, laminin, fibronectin, and myosin heavy chain (MHC). Scale bar, 250 m, except
MHC, 100 m. G, Biaxial mechanical testing of cadaveric (C; n=8 hearts) and decellularized (D; n=10 hearts) human myocardium.
Error bars, SD. H, Anisotropy observed in biaxial mechanical testing of cadaveric (C, n=8 hearts) and decellularized (D, n=10) human
myocardium. Error bars, SD. B/A indicates base to apex axis; and S/FW, septum to free-wall axis.
proteins for both cadaveric and decellularized myocardium Analyst were used to quantify macrophage phenotype across
are provided (Online Tables II and III). Histological evalu- images (Online Figure V).21,22 From all cells counted in each
ation confirmed the retention of collagens (I, III, and IV), high-power field (number of fields/group: 281; number of
laminin, and fibronectin within acellular human heart scaf- cells/field: 1152.5294.2), cadaveric human tissue contained
folds (Figure1F; Online Figure III). Cardiac matrix fiber 70.491.72% CD68+ cells, whereas decellularized human
composition and architecture were maintained, showing matrix contained 79.633.22% and decellularized porcine
vacant spacing between fibers with a loss of nuclei and matrix contained 66.446.17% CD68+ cells (Figure 2B).
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the cardiac myocyte marker myosin heavy chain (MHC). Costaining with CD80 demonstrated the presence of M1 mac-
Insoluble adipose tissue matrix and lipid molecules re- rophage phenotype in cadaveric human tissue (63.139.79%),
main on the epicardial surface after decellularization decellularized human matrix (52.117.05%), and decellular-
(Figure1A), but further histological analysis confirmed ized porcine matrix (67.733.01%) from all cells counted per
the absence of cells and preservation of matrix structure field. Costaining for CD163 on adjacent sections revealed
(Online Figure IV). In evaluation of how the decellular- that cadaveric tissue implants elicited only 38.307.46%
ization process affects the material properties of the car- M2+ cells, whereas decellularized human matrix implants
diac matrix scaffold, equibiaxial mechanical testing of elicited 69.548.44% and decellularized porcine matrix elic-
transmural samples displayed similar moduli between ca- ited 53.526.80% M2+ immunomodulatory cells (P<0.01).
daveric and decellularized samples, along both the base/ A CD163/M2+ macrophage response has previously been
apex axis (376.3191.7 versus 370.8150.9 kPa) and the shown as an indication of reconstructive remodeling de-
septum/free-wall axis (581.4325.5 versus 451.4257.8 scribed in decellularized matrices.23 During tissue explan-
kPa; Figure1G). Anisotropic elastic behavior was mea- tation at the 2-week time point, blood samples were also
sured by an anisotropy ratio comparing the difference and collected to analyze whole-blood and serum. Whole-blood
the sum of the 2 orthogonal moduli within a tissue sample. analysis did not indicate a statistical difference between any
A value of zero indicates perfect biaxial isotropy, whereas groups with respect to white blood cell components (Online
a value approaching 1 indicates a high degree of anisot- Figure VI). Sera were also tested against human leukocyte
ropy. Cadaveric and decellularized samples exhibited mea- antigen (HLA) single antigen beads, where experimental
surable anisotropic ratios (0.3140.196 and 0.1670.158; groups were normalized to the sham group, and antibody re-
Figure1H) that were statistically different from zero activity to beads with specific HLA alleles was determined
(P=0.0027 and P=0.0086), but not statistically different by mean fluorescence intensity using HLA Fusion software
from each other (P=0.0984). (version 3.0; One Lambda). Implanted decellularized human
matrix showed reactivity to only 2 HLA beads, yielding val-
Immunogenic Profile of Decellularized Human ues of <100 mean fluorescence intensity that are well below
Cardiac Matrix the positive cutoff value of 500 mean fluorescence intensity
Taking a critical step toward the potential use of our human (Figure 2C). Implanted cadaveric myocardium showed reac-
cardiac scaffolds in clinical applications, we assessed the im- tivity to >50 HLA beads, yielding values that ranged between
munogenic profile of perfusion-decellularized myocardium 5000 and 7900 mean fluorescence intensity, and showing
after subcutaneous implantation in SpragueDawley rats for high reactivity against patient-specific HLA types attributed
2 weeks. Comparisons were made versus cadaveric human to the implanted cadaveric myocardium (Figure 2C). The sin-
myocardium, as well as decellularized porcine myocardium gle antigen bead assay confirmed our qualitative assessment
that was perfusion-decellularized in the same manner as do- (by immunofluorescence) that the decellularization process
nated human hearts described above.16 Histological evalua- removes HLA from the cardiac matrix as cells are removed
tion of explanted material by immunofluorescence showed (Figure 2D).
a considerable number of CD68+ mononuclear cells in all 3
groups. There appeared to be a more discernable M1 mac- Decellularized Coronary Vasculature
rophage proinflammatory response by cadaveric human and In assessment of acellular coronary vasculature, DCD hearts
decellularized porcine myocardium, whereas decellular- had slightly lower coronary flow (Figure3A) and higher vas-
ized human myocardium presented with a more definitive cular resistance (Figure3B) than DBD hearts during detergent
M2-macrophage immunomodulatory response (Figure 2A). perfusion but achieved similar flow and resistance by the end
A CellProfiler image processing pipeline and CellProfiler PBS washes. This initial difference did not reach statistical
60Circulation ResearchJanuary 8, 2016
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Figure 2. Immunologic characterization of decellularized myocardium. A, Staining of macrophage markers CD68, CD80, and CD163
in human cadaveric (C), human decellularized (D), and porcine decellularized (P) myocardium tissue samples after 2 wk implantation in a
rat model. Scale bars, 100 m. B, Quantification of CD68+, CD68+/CD80+, and CD68+/CD163+ cells in human cadaveric (C, n=3), human
decellularized (D, n=3), and porcine decellularized (P, n=3) explants as a percentage of total identified cells in the field (35 fields averaged
per explant) after 2-wk implantation in a rat model. Error bars, SD. *P<0.05 between groups using an ANOVA with Tukey post hoc test.
C,Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) single antigen bead reactivity of implanted decellularized (i) and cadaveric (ii) human matrix, with mean
fluorescence intensity (MFI) plotted against beads with specific HLA alleles (generated using HLA Fusion software, version 3.0). *Beads
presenting donor-specific antigens. MFI values annotated for increased readability. D, Immunofluorescence detection of HLA in cadaveric
and decellularized human myocardium. Scale bar, 100 m.
significance. Histological evaluation by pentachrome stain preservation of perfusable coronary vessels, but revealed that
showed decellularized vasculature retained structural blood the decellularization process does not resolve luminal nar-
vessel features, with preservation of the intima, media, ad- rowing related to atherosclerotic plaques (Online Figure VII).
ventitia, and elastic laminas (Figure3C). Scanning electron To visualize perfusion of microvasculature within decellu-
microscopy further confirmed that the decellularization pro- larized hearts, we cannulated and directly perfused epicar-
cess removed all endothelial cells, without evidence of base- dial conductance arteries with resuspended 0.2-m-diameter
ment membrane disruption (Figure3D and 3E). Cardiac fluorescent microspheres and tracked microsphere movement
computed tomographic scans revealed conservation of the through midmyocardial and endocardial regions using micro-
conductance arteries of the coronary tree, showing structure optical coherence tomography. Using a Z-projection tool to
and patent lumens stemming from the left and right main cor- generate a running average from the acquired video sequenc-
onaries (Figure3F). Angiography of acellular hearts from pa- es, we confirmed bead-flow through distinct pathways or mi-
tients presenting with coronary artery disease confirmed the crovascular channels (Online Movie I).
Guyette et al Human Myocardium on Native Extracellular Matrix 61
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Figure 3. Characterization of vasculature in decellularized human myocardium. A, Mean flow rates of each solution under constant
pressure perfusion for nondonation after cardiac death (DCD; n=3 hearts) and DCD (n=4) populations. Error bars, SEM. B., Mean
vascular resistance calculated under constant pressure perfusion for non-DCD (n=3 hearts) and DCD (n=4) populations. Error bars, SEM.
C, Pentachrome staining of decellularized left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) coronary artery. Adventitia (a), tunica media
(m), tunica intima (i), exterior elastic lamina (ext), and interior elastic lamina (int). Scale bar, 500 m. Color indications: elastic fibers,
black; collagen, yellow; fibrin, red; mucins, blue to green. D, Scanning electron micrograph of cadaveric LAD coronary artery. Dotted
white square indicates region of higher magnification. Scale bar, 500 m (left) and 20 m (right). E, Scanning electron micrograph
of decellularized LAD coronary artery. Dotted white square indicates region of higher magnification. Scale bar, 500 m (left) and 20
m (right). F, Cardiac computed tomography of a decellularized human heart. Left, long-axis view; right, posterior view. G, Three-
dimensional reconstruction of microvasculature in a left ventricular segment of decellularized human heart. Scale bar, 1 mm. H, Vessel
density in epicardium (epi), midmyocardium (mid), and endocardium (endo) of cadaveric (C, n=3) and decellularized (D, n=7) heart
samples. I, Distribution of vessel sizes in the epi-, mid-, and endocardial of cadaveric human heart samples (n=3). J, Distribution of vessel
sizes in the epi-, mid-, and endocardial of decellularized human heart samples (n=7). AM indicates acute marginal coronary artery; LCA,
left coronary artery; LCX, left circumflex coronary artery; OM, obtuse marginal coronary artery; and RCA, right coronary artery.
62Circulation ResearchJanuary 8, 2016
cardial regions showed no statistical difference in vascular to BJ RiPS cultured in monolayer.25 We then mapped gene
Figure 4. Generation of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS)derived cardiomyocytes. A, Timeline of human induced
pluripotent stem cell differentiation into late-stage cardiomyocytes (days 0, 3, 5, 7, 14, 30, 60, 120, and 180) with corresponding gene
activation as measured by polymerase chain reaction (n=3). Error bars, SD. Flow chart relates culture time with media, supplement, and
cell type. B, Immunofluorescence staining on differentiated cells isolated between days 30 to 60 for cardiac markers -actinin, troponin
T, and myosin heavy chain (MHC). Scale bars, 50 m. C, Flow cytometry analysis of a representative culture of human iPSderived
cardiomyocytes positive for -actinin (left) and troponin T (right), isolated between days 30 to 60 post differentiation.
Guyette et al Human Myocardium on Native Extracellular Matrix 63
expression profiles of 15 markers by reverse transcriptase- to matrix deformation. In spontaneously contracting slices,
polymerase chain reaction at different developmental stages cardiomyocytes achieved 0.590.26% area strain at a natural
(days 0, 3, 5, 7, 14, 30, 60, 120, and 180) to monitor and frequency of 1.360.32 Hz, which translated to 0.470.17%
define the profile of BJ RiPS through stages of cardiac dif- area strain of the ECM with an average natural frequency
ferentiation and maintenance, and to define checkpoints for of 1.380.43 Hz (Figure 5B). Functional myocardial slices
quality control required at a clinically relevant scale (Figure could be electrically paced at 1 Hz or 2 Hz, and data for both
4A). Before the onset of differentiation at day 0, BJ RiPS cells and matrix could be captured at consistent dominant
exhibited definitive expression of classic pluripotency genes frequencies (Figure 5B). Area strain of myocardial matrix
OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG. Treatment with Gsk3 inhibitor could be significantly increased to 1.550.55% when paced
CHIR99021 for 24 hours markedly decreased OCT4, SOX2, at 1 Hz and decreased to 1.020.31% when paced at 2 Hz.
and NANOG expression by day 3, whereas expression of The technique to measure in vitro area strain is concurrent
genes typically found in mesendoderm and mesodermal tis- with the in vivo regional cardiac functional metric of systol-
sues was elicited (MIXL1, T, ISL1, and GATA4). Starting on ic area contraction.27 Regenerated human myocardial slices
day 3, 48-hour treatment with Wnt inhibitor IWP4 decreased achieved strain below normal adult myocardium (20%);
MIXL1, T, and ISL1 by day 5, whereas essential early-stage however, the integration of human cardiomyocytes with hu-
cardiac genes emerged (GATA4, NKX2.5, MEF2C, and man heart matrix formed mechanically active tissue on the
TBX5). By day 7 through day 14 in cardiac maintenance same order of magnitude as compliant ECM cardiac patches
media, definitive late-stage cardiac genes became expressed tested in vivo (4%).27
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(MYH6, MYH7, MYL2, and TNNT2) as large areas of dif- Moving to a more physiological 3D model, we reseeded
ferentiated cardiomyocytes began spontaneously contracting nonperfused cardiac fibers (15-mm length, 2.5-mm diameter)
by day 14 (Online Movie II). Early- and late-stage cardiac cut from the left ventricular free wall of decellularized cardiac
markers tended to increase by day 30, and expression persist- scaffolds (Figure 5C). Reseeded cardiac fibers supported the
ed through days 60, 120, and 180 postdifferentiation. By day attachment, viability, and function of human cardiomyocytes
180, most cardiac genes appeared to taper, which is consistent by evidence of spontaneously contracting tissue within 7 to
with observations of decreased contractility within culture 10 days, which could be maintained for 60 days in culture
plates. In conjunction with increased cardiac gene expres- (Online Movie III). Using microoptical coherence tomogra-
sion, BJ RiPSderived cardiomyocytes isolated between days phy that allows for imaging contractility 250 m within car-
30 and 60 post differentiation showed positive cardiac protein diac fibers with high spatial and temporal resolution (Figure
expression and structure for sarcomeric -actinin, cardiac 5C; Online Movie IV),28 we then applied high-density map-
troponin T, and MHC by immunofluorescence (Figure 4B). ping and postprocessing for strain analysis. Areas 100 to 200
Cardiac protein expression in day 30 to 60 cardiomyocytes m within spontaneously contracting cardiac fibers achieved
was further confirmed by flow cytometry, yielding abundant 8.320.74% strain (Figure 5D) at a frequency of 1.490.06
populations positive for sarcomeric -actinin and cardiac tro- Hz (Figure 5E).
ponin T (Figure 4C), achieving differentiation efficiencies of We measured force generation on myocardial slices by
>85%. As day 30 to 60 cardiomyocytes seemed to be the most measuring deflections of contractile nodes using a custom
robust for cardiac gene and protein expression, cells within setup for adhered slices (Online Figure IXA). Force could
this time frame were enzymatically dispersed and isolated for
be measured in spontaneously contracting cardiac tis-
seeding experiments.
sues and was modulated by electrical pacing (Figure 5F).
Recellularization of Myocardial Slices and Fibers Spontaneously beating areas within unstimulated slices gen-
To test whether perfusion-decellularized human cardiac erated 14.933.85 N of contractile force, which was de-
matrix can support engraftment of cardiomyocytes and en- creased to 10.302.81 N when electrically stimulated at 2
able myocardial tissue formation, we reseeded matrix sec- Hz. Force generation in human myocardial slices was orders
tions (200 m) with human iPSderived cardiomyocytes of magnitude higher than single human iPSderived cardio-
in nonperfused 2D culture (Figure 5A). Acellular human myocytes,29,30 achieving 33.8% of native murine embryonic
heart matrix (Figure 5Ai) supported the attachment, viabil- heart tissue (53.015.5 N),31 suggesting multicellular con-
ity, and function of human cardiomyocytes (Figure 5Aii) by tractile tissue formation.
evidence of spontaneously contracting slices within 4 to 7 Using a more traditional setup to measure contractile force
days of culture. Serving as an early milestone for creating in muscle tissue (Online Figure IXB), spontaneously contract-
force-generating cardiac tissue, functional myocardial slices ing cardiac fibers generated 102.776.3 N of force, whereas
were robust and could be maintained for 120 days in cul- electrical pacing at 2 Hz could increase force generation to
ture. To characterize the mechanical function, we first used 124.194.7 N (Figure 5G) by recruiting more recellularized
high spatial-resolution imaging (high-density mapping)26 to areas to contract in synchrony as a syncytium. Force curves
determine the area deformation of small defined regions of measured from both myocardial slices and cardiac fibers were
interest (Online Figure VIII). By independently analyzing further analyzed to assess amplitude, period, time to 50% re-
matrix-seeded cardiomyocytes, as well as the underlying laxation, and time to 90% relaxation under different pacing
cardiac ECM within the same region (20 m below the slice conditions (Figure 5H; Online Figure X). Cardiac fibers gen-
surface), we confirmed stable cellmatrix interaction and erated contractile force at an order of magnitude higher than
quantified the degree to which cell contractility translated myocardial slices, whereas decreasing trends for period, time
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Figure 5. Generation of functional tissue constructs based on decellularized human myocardium. A, Cardiac matrix slices:
decellularized human cardiac matrix slice (200 m) in a culture well (i), seeded with induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS)derived
cardiomyocytes (ii) for 120-d culture. Ruler ticks are 1 mm. B, Area strain of matrix-seeded iPS-derived cardiomyocytes and underlying
cardiac matrix, comparing spontaneous contraction (U; n=5 beating areas) with electrical stimulation at 1 Hz (n=4) and 2 Hz (n=4). Error
bars, SD. Black and blue asterisks (*) indicate P<0.05 compared with unstimulated cells and matrix, respectively. C, Left, Macroimage
of a reseeded cardiac fiber. Scale bar, 5 mm. Right, Representative microoptical coherence tomography still-frame, depicting a
longitudinal cross section within a reseeded cardiac fiber. Red shading indicates example high-density mapping (HDM) region of interest.
Scale bar, 100 m. D, HDM computed area strain under unpaced conditions (n=4 fibers). Error bar, SD. E, HDM-captured frequencies
under unpaced conditions (n=4 fibers). Error bar, SD. F, Representative force curves of a single contractile area within a myocardial
slice, depicting force modulation under unpaced (solid line) or paced conditions (dashed line). G, Representative force curves of a single
reseeded cardiac fiber, depicting force modulation under unpaced (solid line) or paced conditions (dashed line). H, Mean amplitudes,
periods, times to 50% relaxation (TTR50), and times to 90% relaxation (TTR90) of captured force curves of slices (gray squares; n=9, 9, 9,
and 3 for unpaced, 1, 2, and 3 Hz, respectively) and fibers (red triangles; n=4, 3, 4, and 2 for unpaced, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 Hz, respectively)
under paced and unpaced (U) conditions. Error bars, SD. I, Conductivity map (left) and example action potential (right) from a reseeded
cardiac fiber. J, Immunofluorescence staining on reseeded cardiac fibers for cardiac markers -actinin, troponin T, and myosin heavy
chain (MHC). Scale bars, 25 m. K, Transmission electron micrographs of recellularized cardiac fibers. Dashed black box indicates region
of higher magnification. Left, Red arrows indicate Z bands, right, Z, I, A, H, and mt indicate Z bands, I bands, A bands, H bands, and
mitochondria, respectively. Scale bars, 2 m and 500 nm for left and right, respectively.
to 50% relaxation, and time to 90% relaxation were similar voltage mapping of cardiac electrical activity. Fibers paced
for both constructs (Figure 5H). Captured frequencies of both with 10 V at 1 Hz generated electrical conductivity that could
slices and fibers effectively correlated with pacing frequen- be mapped across large surface areas, with a conduction ve-
cies (Online Figure XI). Loading fiber-seeded cardiomyocytes locity of 3256 cm/s (Figure 5I). Action potentials at mul-
with voltage-sensitive di-8-ANEPPS dye, cardiac fibers were tiple points within conduction areas were assessed based on
tested in a custom pacing and imaging chamber to perform relative fluorescence intensity signal, with an average action
Guyette et al Human Myocardium on Native Extracellular Matrix 65
potential duration at 80% of 405116 ms. Immunofluorescent descending and the left circumflex coronary arteries (Figure
staining of reseeded fibers for cardiac markers sarcomeric - 6D). To improve cell retention, we adopted a technique in
actinin, cardiac troponin T, and MHC showed large areas of which mattress sutures were tied at each injection point before
cardiomyocytes with a striated phenotype, and a high degree needle extraction to minimize cell loss (Figure 6E).6 LV bal-
of alignment (Figure 5J). Further analysis by transmission loons were implanted through the mitral valve post cell de-
electron microscopy confirmed cardiac myocyte elongation livery to prevent balloon puncture, and then prefilled to fully
and myocardial tissue formation, demonstrated by aligned occupy the ventricular cavity. Recellularized human hearts
myofibrillogenesis (Figure 5K, left) and definitive sarcomeric were then mounted in the human heart bioreactor to provide
structures (right). antegrade perfusion to the main coronary arteries and cultured
for 14 days, with matrix strain stimulation starting on day 7 of
Whole-Heart Experiments culture (Figure 6F; Online Movie VI).
Whole-heart recellularization experiments were performed Metabolic function was monitored during culture by sam-
using a custom human heart bioreactor capable of provid- pling perfusate from the coronary sinus to compare against
ing coronary perfusion and LV wall mechanical stimulation baseline media (Table). Over consecutive 48-hour culture
(Figure6A). Mechanical stimulation was achieved by os- periods for 10 days, no significant differences were found
cillating the pressure inside a balloon placed within the LV for measures of pH, PO2, PCO2, HCO3, TCO2, or percent O2
to determined targets, thus imparting strain to the LV wall saturation. However, a significant decrease of glucose sug-
(Figure6B). Validation of strain delivery with oscillating bal- gested consumption (baseline, 186.331.53 mg/dL; culture,
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loon pressure was performed using high-density mapping on 155.756.70 mg/dL; P<0.01). Conversely, significant lac-
the presumed reseeding area of the LV wall of a decellularized tate production was detected (baseline, 0 mmol/L; culture,
porcine heart under mechanical stimulation in our bioreactor 2.440.19 mmol/L; P<0.01).
(Figure6C; Online Movie V). After 14 days of culture, we performed electromechanical
We reseeded whole acellular human hearts with 500 functional analysis on the regenerated myocardium, using a
million human BJ RiPSderived cardiomyocytes by making bench-top perfusion setup. Electrical stimulation was deliv-
5 intramyocardial injections into the basal anterior and mid ered through cardiac leads placed within the anterolateral wall
anterior segments of the left ventricle (using 500 L/injec- of the left ventricle (0.8 Hz, 1080 V, 5 ms). Stimulated myo-
tion, for total volume of 2.5 mL), between the left anterior cardium generated visible contractions (Online Movie VII),
Figure 6. Human heart bioreactor. A, Schematic layout of the human heart bioreactor. Arrows indicate fluid flow directions. B, Diagram
of mechanical stimulation in the human heart bioreactor. , strain; P, pressure; Q, volumetric flow; MV, mitral valve. C, Representative left
ventricular (LV) pressure vs matrix strain curve during mechanical stimulation in the human heart bioreactor (3 cycles plotted, starting with
blue and ending with red), determined by high-density mapping analysis on the epicardial surface of the heart (inset) through biomimetic
cardiac cycles. D, Recellularization of human acellular cardiac scaffolds by intramyocardial injection between the left anterior descending
artery and the left circumflex artery. E, Recellularized human acellular cardiac scaffold inside of the bioreactor organ chamber during
biomimetic culture. Black arrows indicate intramyocardial injection locations. Red arrows indicate media perfusion into main coronary
arteries. Blue arrows indicate fluid flow into LV balloon during mechanical stimulation. F, Example pressure (top) and flow rate (bottom)
traces in the coronary arteries (red) and LV (blue) during mechanical stimulation in the human heart bioreactor.
66Circulation ResearchJanuary 8, 2016
with recordable repolarizations (Figure 7A). Using a force stimulation at 0.8 Hz could generate regional contractions
transducer to measure force based on deflections of contract- measuring 350 N (Figure 7B). By introducing a pressure
ing regions on the epicardial surface, continuous electrical transducer into the LV balloon and prefilling the balloon to
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Figure 7. Repopulation of decellularized human myocardium in whole hearts with human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)
derived cardiomyocytes. A, ECG of a recellularized acellular cardiac scaffold during electrical stimulation (pacing). B, Force trace of
recellularized myocardium under electrical stimulation at 0.8 Hz. C, Left ventricular pressure (PLV) development in a recellularized human
acellular cardiac scaffold under electrical stimulation at 0.8 Hz including corresponding meanSD peak pressure (P), max dP/dt, min dP/
dt, and (n=6 pressure pulses). D, Conductivity map (top) and action potentials (bottom) taken from the epicardial surface of a reseeded
human heart. Heat map legend labels indicate millisecond intervals. E, Schematic of seeding volume estimation based on myosin heavy
chain (MHC, red) staining images. Scale bar, 2 mm. F, Cell coverage from base to apex of recellularized human cardiac scaffolds. Error
bars are SD of measurements taken from 2 adjacent tissue sections. G, Fluorescent TUNEL of recellularized human cardiac scaffolds.
Scale bar, 200 m. H, Trichrome staining of recellularized human cardiac scaffolds. Scale bar, 200 m. I, Immunofluorescent staining
on recellularized human myocardium for cardiac markers -actinin, troponin T, and myosin heavy chain (MHC). Scale bars, 50 m. LAD
indicates left anterior descending coronary artery; LCX, left circumflex artery; and TUNEL, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP
nick end labeling.
Guyette et al Human Myocardium on Native Extracellular Matrix 67
the formation of electrically and mechanically orthotropic scaffold materials with human iPSderived cardiomyocytes
myocardium. and create functional tissue.7,33,6265 Our intent was to combine
In the present study, perfusion-decellularization of hu- the techniques of directed differentiation and the principles
man hearts resulted in acellular scaffolds consisting of major of myocardial engineering to generate human myocardial
ECM components, such as collagens, elastin, and glycos- grafts of clinical relevance, for applications in high-through-
aminoglycans, which is in line with similar data published put screening and as a foundational basis for creating human
in other organ systems and species,15,35,36 and decellularized myocardial grafts of clinically relevant scale.
human heart sections.51 Quantitative analyses of ECM com- With potential translation in mind, we chose to derive
ponents were similar in DCD and DBD hearts, with preser- cardiomyocytes from a nongenetically altered pluripotent
vation of insoluble collagen and glycosaminoglycans, and cell source that could be generated from patient-derived
reduction of soluble collagen and elastin. This is consistent somatic cells via repeated administration of synthetic mes-
with a loss of mainly immature collagen, whereas more senger RNAs.24,66 This method is characterized by lack of
mature, crosslinked, high-strength collagen is preserved re- vector integration, high efficiency, and low rate of chromo-
gardless of normalization to wet weight (Figure 1C) or dry somal abnormalities and has been validated by several human
weight (Online Figure II).52 Histological and immunohisto- reprogramming laboratories.67 To generate cardiomyocytes
chemical analysis showed absence of nuclei and cytoplasmic at a clinically relevant scale, we adapted a directed differen-
components such as MHC. Further compositional analysis tiation protocol based on temporal modulation of canonical
using mass spectrometrybased label-free proteomics re-
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Generation of tissue constructs of clinical value, either test for complete re-endothelialization are critical in clinical
as whole-heart grafts or myocardial implants, ultimately application for the maintenance of blood-flow throughout
requires regeneration of human myocardium on a whole- the organ (ie, vascular recruitment) and to prevent matrix-
organ scale.6,62,75,76 Therefore, we attempted tissue assembly induced blood coagulation. The present study provides a
in whole human heart matrices similar to previous reports in foundational toolset to generate grafts of human scale for
rat and mouse hearts.15,33 Depending on its size, 1 billion therapeutic applications, and multiple model platforms to
cardiomyocytes are lost because of a myocardial infarction,77 generate patient-derived human myocardium of different
whereas several billion cardiomyocytes would be required to scales for analytic purposes. Undoubtedly, many hurdles to-
completely repopulate an acellular human heart. To examine ward the regeneration of whole-heart grafts remain, including
the clinical feasibility of myocardial regeneration, we at- the need for complete re-endothelialization, repopulation of
tempted to deliver 500 million cardiomyocytes to a highly the valvular apparatus, and re-establishment of a functional
vascularized 5 cm3 volume of the left ventricle, between conduction system.
the left anterior descending and the left circumflex coronary
arteries. Efficient cell delivery with minimal matrix damage Acknowledgments
could be achieved via five injections to multiple depths with- We thank the New England Organ Bank and all of the explant sur-
in the ventricular wall over a square epicardial region (Figure geons for their continued support and coordination involved in organ
6E). procurement. We further thank the Program in Membrane Biology
To enable tissue development, we designed and built a bio- Microscopy Core at MGH, as well as Ann Tisdale at the MEEI, for
Downloaded from http://circres.ahajournals.org/ by guest on December 6, 2016
mimetic bioreactor system to accommodate whole-heart scaf- technical support with scanning electron microscopy (supported by
National Institutes of Health grants DK43351 and DK57521). We
folds, largely based on reported isolated working heart models, thank Jeremy Song, MD, for his contributions to decellularization
and the well-documented role of mechanical stimulation in process development. In addition, we thank Wenpo Chuang, MD,
the formation of myocardial tissue constructs.7881 Media per- and Roger Ng, MD, for their contributions to cardiac angiography.
fusion via the native coronary vascular channels provided suf- We thank TuKiet Lam, PhD, and his team at the MS & Proteomics
ficient nutrient and oxygen supply to enable the formation of Resource at Yale School of Medicine for support with proteomics
myocardial tissue within the context of the whole-heart scaf- analysis, as well as James Titus and Chris Owen at MGH for support
and use of fluoroscopy suites. We further thank John Favreau, PhD,
fold. After a culture period of 14 days, repopulated myocar- for program support involved with high-density mapping functional
dial segments were metabolically active, provided contractile analysis. We thank Patricia Della Pelle, Gertraude Warren, Jed Barger,
function, and responded to electrical stimulation. Myocardial and Susan Saidman, PhD, for their help with immunogenic profiling
tissue was immature, showing a range of rounded to elon- and human leukocyte antigen testing. For vascular analysis, we thank
gated sarcomeric phenotypes, which corresponds to reported Brian Ghoshhajra, MD, from the Department of Radiology at MGH.
Furthermore, we thank Daniel Brooks, Mathew Scott, and Adriana
morphological features of developing myocardium82,83 and
Martinez-Betancourt from the Center for Advanced Orthopedic
the in vivo fate of pluripotent cell derived cardiomyocytes.84 Studies at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for their assistance
This end point was chosen based on the need to analyze cell with microcomputed tomography of microvasculature. In addition,
viability and tissue formation; however, full maturation will we thank Megan Scanlan for her assistance with transmission electron
likely require longer culture times and improved biomimetic microscopy on cardiac fibers. Finally, we thank Kengyeh Chu, PhD,
regimens. and Joseph Gardecki, PhD, of the Wellman Center for Photomedicine
at MGH for their assistance with microoptical coherence tomogra-
While we believe that the present data set highlights the
phy on cardiac fibers and microvasculature.
translational value of the human acellular cardiac matrix and
the ability to generate myocardial tissue of clinically relevant
Sources of Funding
origin and platform, the present experiments did not aim to
The present study was supported by the US National Institutes of
achieve full recellularization of the myocardium of an entire Health Directors New Innovator DP2 OD008749-01, and by the
human heart. Several challenges lie ahead in bringing this National Heart Lung and Blood Institute R21 HL108663-2 and R01
technology to clinical scale and applications. Full recellular- HL115282.
ization of the myocardial matrix and valve structures are nec-
essary for generating sustainable ventricular pump function. Disclosures
Achieving this necessitates improved recellularization tech- Dr Ott is founder and stockholder of IVIVA Medical Inc. This rela-
niques to enhance cell coverage without damaging the matrix tionship did not affect the content or conclusions contained in this
(eg, unidirectional or bidirectional vascular techniques). In article. The other authors report no conflicts.
addition, biomimetic culture conditions (ie, static or dynamic
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72Circulation ResearchJanuary 8, 2016
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SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL
METHODS
Human Heart Preparation and Decellularization. In collaboration with the New England Organ Bank
(NEOB), donated human hearts that were not suitable for transplantation were retrieved for research after
consent (n = 67; 5 patient records unavailable). Documented records from recovered hearts indicate there
were 32 male donors, 30 female donors, an average age of 53 14 years, and an average body mass index
of 27.78 6.25. Human hearts were recovered in standard fashion and delivered to Massachusetts
General Hospital, with an average cold ischemia time of 455 184 minutes. All human tissue
experiments were performed in accordance with institutional guidelines and approved by the Partners
Human Tissues Research Committee at the MGH. Informed research consent was required by all human
donors, which was obtained by the NEOB. Hearts were randomly assigned to experimental groups as they
were received; 38 hearts were designated for pressure- controlled perfusion decellularization and 29
hearts were maintained to satisfy the control group. Twenty-four hearts were retrieved from donation after
cardiac death (DCD) donors, and the remaining hearts were recovered from donation after brain death
(non-DCD) donors. Upon delivery, the custom decellularization chamber was assembled and the aorta
was cannulated in a biological safety cabinet, using sterile gloves and aseptic technique. The heart was
placed in a sterilized organ decellularization chamber, and the aortic cannula connected to an in-chamber
perfusion line of the pressure-controlled pump system.1 Anterograde coronary perfusion was applied for a
constant pressure of 60 mmHg at room temperature, using a feedback control unit to regulate and record
pressure and flow. Hearts were aseptically decellularized with the following succession of solutions:
phosphate buffered saline with 1 U/mL heparin (1 hour); 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in deionized
water (168 hours); deionized water (DI H2O, 24 hours); 1% Triton-X in deionized water (24 hours);
phosphate buffered saline (168 hours). Decellularization was visually confirmed by an opaque appearance
of the cardiac ECM, accompanied with a loss of tissue turgor and rigidity (Fig. 1A). Analysis of recorded
data indicated trends towards increased coronary flow and subsequent decreased vascular resistance over
the course of the decellularization process (Fig 2A,B), but differences were not statistically significant. In
addition, a comparison of decellularizing DCD and non-DCD hearts showed that DCD hearts appeared to
have lower coronary flow and higher vascular resistance, however, differences were not statistically
significant (Fig. 2A,B). Following decellularization, hearts were decannulated and stored in PBS with
antibiotics/antimycotics at 4C.
SDS, DNA, GAG, Collagen, and Elastin Quantification. Biochemical analysis of human heart samples
(cadaveric and decellularized) was performed to determine the presence of extracellular matrix proteins
(insoluble collagen, soluble collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans) and DNA. Hydroxyproline
content as a measure of insoluble collagen was quantified using the Hydroxyproline Assay Kit, as per the
manufacturers instructions (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO). Soluble collagen, alpha-elastin, and sulfated
glycosaminoglycans were quantified using the Sircol, Fastin, and Blyscan assay kits, respectively
(Biocolor, UK). For DNA quantification, tissue samples were digested overnight at 55 C in 310 L of a
solution containing 10 mM Tris (pH = 8.0), 5 mM EDTA, 0.1 M NaCl, 1% SDS, and 650 g/mL
Proteinase-K (Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA). Double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) was then isolated
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using a phenol/chloroform extraction and alcohol precipitation, and quantified using the Quant-iT
PicoGreen dsDNA kit (Life Technologies). All biochemical data is presented as the total mass of the
component extracted normalized to tissue sample wet weight in Figure 1, and normalized to dry weight
(lyophilized tissue) in Supplemental Figure II2. The mean dry weight of all tissue samples was 2.7 mg.
For each component (except DNA), biochemical analysis was carried out for three locations (anterior free
wall, septum, and apex) on each heart. An analysis of variance revealed no difference in component
content between locations. Thus, for each component the values for the three locations on a given heart
were averaged to obtain a representative value for that heart. DNA values were obtained from one septum
tissue sample per heart. For endonuclease treatment of acellular cardiac matrices, biopsies were taken
before and after whole-organ perfusion with 1 L of Pierce Universal Nuclease (25 U/mL) for 24 hours.
All samples were processed and analyzed for dsDNA quantification using the Quant-iT PicoGreen
dsDNA kit, as described above.
LC-MS/MS Proteomic Matrix Analysis. Both cadaveric and decellularized heart tissue samples were first
homogenized and sonicated in radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA) buffer, and spun down to collect
supernatant. A chloroform/methanol/water protein precipitation was performed, and washed twice. The
protein pellet was solubilized in Rapigest, treated with DTT/IAN, and digested with Lys-C/Trypsin.
Samples were quantified using a Nanodrop and run on a microcapillary tandem mass spectrometry (LC-
MS/MS) Q-Exactive Plus system, with long gradient for label-free quantification. Acquired proteomics
data was processed using Progenesis QI software. Two distinct areas of the left ventricle in 3 different
hearts were analyzed for each group, for a total of 12 samples (6 cadaveric myocardium, 6 decellularized
myocardium). The subcellular location of each identified human protein was then determined using the
Universal Protein Knowledge Base (UniProtKB, www.uniprot.org, accessed on Feb. 21st, 2015).3 All
identified proteins (proteome) whose subcellular location included either the extracellular matrix or
basement membrane were designated as part of the matrisome.4
Biaxial Mechanical Testing of Myocardium. Two-dimensional (2D) tensile testing was performed on
cadaveric and decellularized heart samples. Full-thickness samples of approximately 25 x 25 mm were
cut from the anterior wall of the left ventricle. Sample width, length, and thickness were measured using a
micrometer. Four graphite dots were glued to the surface of each specimen for tracking displacement.
Two sutures (2-0 silk) were placed approximately 2 mm from the edge in each side of the sample and tied
creating a loop approximately 5 cm in length. The sutures were looped around pulleys on a custom planar
biaxial test device. Room temperature PBS was used to float the samples in the testing chamber and the
tare load was set when the sutures were under tension and the load increased slightly (~0.2 kPa). Loads
were applied bi-axially (1:1 ratio of x-load to y-load) under stress control up to 20 kPa. The forces along
the axes were measured with torque transducers and the movement of the graphite particles was measured
using a CCD camera. The stress was calculated as the force acting on the cross-sectional area and the
strain was calculated as the change in length divided by the original length at the tare load. For each
sample, moduli were calculated as the slope of the linear region of the stress-strain curve. To quantify the
degree of anisotropic behavior exhibited by the moduli of the tissue samples, an anisotropy ratio was
calculated for each tissue sample; where, anisotropy ratio = |Ex Ey| / (Ex + Ey). Thus a ratio close to
zero would indicate little or no anisotropy and a ratio close to one would indicate a high degree of
anisotropy.
Immunogenic Profiling of Decellularized Human Cardiac Scaffolds. Overview: Twelve rats were
randomly divided into 4 equal groups of 3 each. Cardiac material was implanted subcutaneously in 3
experimental groups, while the sham operated group underwent the procedure for the subcutaneous
pocket but did not receive an implant. The cardiac materials implanted were decellularized human heart,
cadaveric human heart, or decellularized porcine heart. All animals were sacrificed at 2 weeks after
implantation. At the time of sacrifice, blood samples were taken from each rat for whole blood and serum
analysis. In addition, the explanted tissues were examined using immunohistochemical methods for cell
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surface markers representative macrophage profiles (i.e. M1, M2). All procedures were performed in
accordance with the National Institutes of Health guidelines for care and use of laboratory animals, and
with approval of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at the Massachusetts General Hospital.
Animals and Surgical Procedure: Male, Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 300 to 500 g were purchased
from Charles River Laboratory (Wilmington, MA). Each animal was maintained on a diet of dry food and
housed individually in an environment maintained at 68-76 C for 24 h a day, with a light/dark cycle of
12/12 hours. During the surgical procedure, a 1.0 cm2 subcutaneous pocket was created along the sagittal
plane of the dorsal surface of each animal (between the two scapulae), as previously described. 5, 6 All
animals were survived for 2 weeks, at which point they were sacrificed by exsanguination during blood
collection analysis. Cardiac Material: Three types of cardiac material were prepared: cadaveric human
myocardium, decellularized human cardiac matrix, and decellularized porcine cardiac matrix. Pieces of
cardiac material from fresh cadaveric myocardium or freshly decellularized cardiac matrix were cut to 0.5
cm3 volumes. Cadaveric and decellularized human cardiac material was obtained through our
collaboration with the New England Organ Bank, as described above. Decellularized human cardiac
matrix was prepared as described above. Cadaveric and decellularized rat cardiac material was harvested
from Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 300 to 500 g were purchased from Charles River Laboratory
(Wilmington, MA). Decellularized porcine cardiac matrix was prepared as previously described.1 Whole
Blood Analysis: Whole blood was collected from each rat in Vacutainer tubes (BD Biosciences,
Franklin Lakes, NJ), spun down as per manufacturer recommendation, and stored at 4C until analysis.
Samples were run on a HESKA HemaTrue Analyzer (HESKA, Loveland, Colorado), and values from rats
in each group were averaged for each component. Immunohistological Analysis: Implanted materials
were harvested with an equal amount of adjacent fascia tissue. The specimens were fixed in 10% neutral
buffered formalin and embedded in paraffin. Serial sections of the embedded tissue specimens were then
cut at 5 m. The tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and representative sections
were prepared for immunohistochemical staining by deparaffinization with xylene and rehydration
through a graded ethanol series. A heat-mediated antigen retrieval technique that included a 20-min boil
in 0.01 M citrate buffer, pH 7.0 was used. Once cooled, 3 separate washes of phosphate buffered saline
(PBS) were applied (5 min each). Primary antibody dilutions were made with blocking buffer and were as
follows: mouse anti-rat CD68 (cat#: MCA341GA; AbD Serotec, Raleigh, NC) at 1:50 dilution in PBS,
rabbit anti-CD80 (cat#: bs-2211R; Bioss, Inc., Woburn, MA) at 1:100 dilution, and rabbit anti-rat CD163
(cat#: bs-2527R; Bioss, Inc.) at 1:100 dilution. Secondary antibodies were applied for 1 hour at room
temperature (25C). Secondary antibody dilutions were made with blocking buffer, as follows: 1:400 anti-
mouse 488 and 1:400 anti-rabbit 594 (both from Invitrogen, Eugene, OR). A CellProfiler image analysis
pipeline was used to quantify macrophage phenotype across images (Supplemental Fig. V).7 HLA
Analysis: Sera was collected from each rat in Vacutainer tubes (BD and Company, Franklin Lakes, NJ),
spun down as per manufacturer recommendation, and stored at 4C until analysis. Sera was run against
Panel Reactive Antibody (PRA) single-antigen beads, using clinical test kits for LABScreen PRA Class I
and II (cat#s: LS1PRAS and LS2PRAS; One Lambda, of Thermo Fisher Scientific, Canoga Park, CA).
The secondary antibody used to detect antigen-reactive rat antibodies was R-Phycoerythrin1-conjugated
AffiniPure, goat anit-rat IgG (cat #: 112-116-071; Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, Inc, West
Grove, PA). Samples were run through a Luminex IgG-assay, using a LABScan100TM Luminex analyzer,
equipped with xPONENT software (Life Technologies, Grand Island, NY). The LABScan100TM Luminex
required a 100-event minimum per sample to determine a successful test read-out. Using HLA Fusion
Software (version 3.0; One Lambda, of Thermo Fisher Scientific, Canoga Park, CA) for post-processing,
experimental samples were analyzed using the sham group as a reference, and histograms we generated
by the software by plotting mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) attributed to beads with specific HLA
alleles (Fig. 1Ki,ii). HLA Immunohistochemistry: Freshly prepared samples were fixed in 10% neutral
buffered formalin, embedded in paraffin, and sectioned at 5 m. Sections were deparaffinized with xylene
and rehydration through a graded ethanol series, and then treated for 30 minutes in citrate buffer at 95C
for antigen retrieval. Primary antibodies were allowed to attach overnight at 4 C. Primary antibody
dilution was made with blocking buffer as follows: 1:100 anti-HLA 1 ABC [EMR8-5] (cat#: ab70328;
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Abcam, Cambridge, MA). Secondary antibody was applied for 1 hour at room temperature (25C).
Secondary antibody dilution was made with blocking buffer, as follows: 1:400 anti-mouse 594
(Invitrogen, Eugene, OR). Images were recorded using a Nikon Eclipse TE200 microscope (Nikon,
Melville, NY).
Vascular Histology. Samples of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery were cut to 5 m
cross-sections, which were then deparaffinized through xylene and alcohol washes. Pentachrome staining
was performed using the Russel-Movat Pentachrome Stain Kit Procedure, as per manufacturers
instructions (American MasterTech, Lodi, CA).
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Scanning Electron Microscopy of LAD. A cross sectional biopsy of a cadaveric and decellularized left
anterior descending arteries were fixed in half-strength Karnovsky's fixative after harvest, and stored for
24 hrs at 4C. They were then rinsed in PBS, dehydrated through graded ethanols, critical point dried
(Autosamdri 795 Supercritical Point Dryer; Tousimis, Rockville, MD), mounted on specimen holders,
and sputter coated with Chromium in an ion beam coater (model 681; Gatan, Pleasanton, CA). Images
were acquired via a field emission scanning electron microscope (JSM-7401F; JEOL Ltd., Peabody, MA).
Coronary Angiography. All hearts were mounted with a cannula in the ascending aorta. Antegrade flow
was created via pumping normal saline through the cannula at a constant pressure into the aortic
root. Coronary angiography was then performed by selectively engaging each of the coronary artery with
the 5F Judkins catheters. Coronary cine was obtained using a GE OEC 9600 c-arm with injections of
Visipaque (1mL contains 652 mg of iodixanol which is 320 mg organically bound iodine) contrast. Cines
and still frame images were then captured onto USB via MediCapture.
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method described below). Image analysis was completed using ImageJ software, equipped with a
Running Z Projector plugin, set to a running average size of 20, for maximum intensity projection.
Cell Culture, Cardiac Differentiation of iPS Cells, and Cell Characterization. iPS Culture: Human
cardiomyocytes were generated from the BJ-RiPS-1.1 cell line obtained from the Harvard Stem Cell
Institute, sourced from human BJ postnatal fibroblasts transfected with mRNAs encoding Klf4, c-Myc,
Oct4, Sox2, and Lin288. Passage 18-30 undifferentiated BJ-RiPS were cultured on growth factor reduced
MatrigelTM (diluted 1/100; cat. # CB 40230, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc, Waltham, MA), in mTeSRTM1
media (cat. # 05870, Stem Cell Technologies Inc, Vancouver, BC, Canada). Cardiac Differentiation:
Cardiac differentiation of BJ-RiPS cells was performed using an established protocol based on a temporal
modulation of Wnt signaling with small molecules (Stemolecule CHIR99021, cat. # 04-0004-02;
Stemolecule Wnt Inhibitor IWP-4, cat. # 04-0036; Stemgent Inc, Cambridge, MA) 9. Cardiomyocyte
generation was confirmed by observation of functional contractility of beating cells in vitro.
Cardiomyocytes were maintained in RPMI 1640 medium (cat. # 11875-119, Life Technologies, Grand
Island, NY) supplemented with B-27 (cat. # 17504-044, Life Technologies), with media changes every 2
days. Human iPS-derived cardiomyocytes were cultured for at least 20 days after the onset of
differentiation before being harvested for recellularization experiments. Cell Characterization RT-
PCR: Over the time-course of differentiation (days 0, 3, 5, 7, 14, 30, 60, 120, and 180), differentiating
iPS cells were scrapped off of culture plates, pelleted down by centrifugation (300 g, 5 min), and stored in
RNAlater (cat#: AM7020; Life Technologies, Grand Island, NY) at 4C until analyzed. RNA was
extracted using an RNeasy Plus Mini Kit (cat#: 74134; Qiagen, Valencia, CA), and quantified using a
NanoDrop 2000 Spectrophotometer (Thermo Scientific, Waltham, MA). cDNA was prepared using a
SuperScript III First-Strand Synthesis SuperMix Kit for qRT-PCR (cat #: 11752-050; Life Technologies,
Grand Island, NY). Quantitative RT-PCR was performed using TaqMan Gene Expression Master Mix
(cat. #: 4369016; Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA), along with the following TaqMan Probes (all
from Applied Biosystems): Oct4 (cat #: HS00999632_g1), Sox2 (cat #:HS04407947_m1), Nanog (cat #:
HS04260366_g1), MIXL1 (cat #: HS00430824_g1), T (cat #: HS00610080_m1), ISL-1 (cat #:
HS0015126_m1), TBX2 (cat #: HS00911929_m1), GATA4 (cat #: HS00171403_m1), Nkx2.5 (cat #:
HS00231763_m1), MEF2C (cat #: HS00231149_m1), TBX5 (cat #: HS00361155_m1), MYH6 (cat #:
HS01101425_m1), MYH7 (cat #: HS0110632_m1), MYL2 (cat #: HS00166405_m1), TNNT2 (cat#:
Hs00943911_m1), and 18S (cat #: HS99999901_s1). Samples were run on a StepOnePlus Real-Time
PCR System (Applied Biosystems), and analyzed using the delta-delta CT method with respect to
samples internal 18S signal and fold-differences to undifferentiated iPS cells. Cell Characterization
Immunocytochemistry: BJ RiPS-derived cardiomyocytes between days 30 and 60 post-differentiation
were washed once with PBS, and then fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde for 15 minutes at 4C. Cells were
then washed three times with PBS, and then permeabilized with 1.5% Triton-X solution for 10 minutes.
Cells were then washed three times with PBS, and then blocked with 1.5% donkey serum for 30 minutes.
Following blocking, primary antibodies were allowed to attach overnight at 4 C. Primary antibody
dilutions were made with blocking buffer and were as follows: 1:100 anti-sarcomeric -Actinin (cat #:
A8711, Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO), 1:100 anti-myosin heavy chain (cat #: SC-20641, Santa Cruz
Biotechnology, Dallas, TX), and 1:100 anti-troponin T (cat #: ab8295, Abcam Inc., Cambridge, MA).
Secondary antibodies were applied for 1 hour at room temperature (25C). Secondary antibody dilutions
were made with blocking buffer, as follows: 1:400 anti-mouse 488, 1:400 anti-mouse 594, 1:400 anti-
rabbit 594 (all from Invitrogen, Eugene, OR). Cell nuclei were stained with Hoechst dye (cat. #: H3570,
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Waltham, MA), washed three times with PBS, and imaged in PBS. For
some cell preparations, cytoskeletal actin structures were counterstained with Phalloidin stain (cat. #:
O7466, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.) for 20 minutes between the blocking step and application of
primary antibody. Cell Characterization Flow Cytometry: iPS-derived cardiomyocytes between days
30 and 60 post-differentiation were washed twice in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and dissociated into
single cells by treatment with 0.05% trypsin/EDTA. For the detection of cardiac sarcomeric -actinin and
cardiac troponin T independently, the cells were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde at room temperature for
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20 min, followed by 2 PBS washes. Cells were then permeabilized with 0.1% Triton X-100 in PBS on ice
for 20 min, washed twice with PBS, and centrifuged at 300 g for 5 min. Cells were blocked with 1% BSA
in PBS for 30 min, and then incubated with the primary antibody at room temperature for 1 h. After
washing in PBS, the cells were incubated with the secondary antibody at room temperature for 1 h. After
washing in PBS, the cells were suspended in 400 l PBS and assayed by flow cytometry (FACS Calibur;
BD Biosciences, Franklin Lakes, NJ). Mouse IgG anti--sarcomeric-actinin (cat #: A7811, 1:100; Sigma,
St. Louis, MO) and mouse IgG cardiac troponin T (cat #: ab8295 [1C11], 1:100; Abcam, Cambridge,
MA) served as primary antibodies. The secondary antibody was goat anti-mouse 488 (cat#: A-11001,
1:400; Invitrogen, Eugene, OR). Cells stained with primary isotype control antibody (normal mouse IgG1;
cat. #: sc-3877, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Dallas, TX) and secondary fluorescence-conjugated antibody
served as controls. At least 50,000 cells per sample were acquired. Cardiac differentiation was quantified
by the percentage of -actinin-positive cells subtracted by negative control after gating out the dead cells.
All of the data analyses were performed using the CellQuest software (Becton Dickinson).
Preparation and Recellularization of Human Acellular Myocardial Slices & Cardiac Fibers.
Myocardial Slices: To create acellular myocardial slices, full-thickness pieces of cardiac matrix were
excised from the left ventricle of acellular human hearts (~2x2x2 cm3), embedded in Tissue-Tek Optimal
Cutting Temperature (O.C.T.) Compound (cat#: 4583; Sakura Finetek, Torrance, CA), and cryo-sectioned
for 200-m slices on a Leica CM3050 S cryostat (Leica Biosystems, Buffalo Grove, IL). Slices were
carefully transferred to 6-well tissue culture plates and allowed to adhere at room temperature. OCT
Compound was removed by a 5 min treatment with DI water, as the compound is water-soluble (per
manufacturer protocol). Slices were sterilized with treatment of 100% ethanol, followed by successive
PBS washing steps to rehydrate the matrix. Acellular slices were then primed with cardiomyocyte
maintenance media (RPMI 1640, with B-27) for 12 hours. Each primed myocardial slice was seeded with
1.5x106 human iPS-derived cardiomyocytes (unsorted), which were allowed to adhere for 24 hours at
37C. Cardiomyocyte maintenance media was changed every 2 days following the initial seeding period,
spontaneously contracting tissue was observed 4-7 days after seeding, and functional tests were
performed after 28 days in culture. Cardiac Fibers: Cardiac fiber bundles (15 mm length, 2.5 mm
diameter) were cut from the left ventricular free wall of decellularized cardiac scaffolds, using sterile
surgical tools and aseptic technique in a biological hood. Acellular fibers were then transferred to
individual wells of a 12-well tissue culture plates, and then primed with cardiomyocyte maintenance
media (RPMI 1640, with B-27; 2 mL per well) for 12 hours. Each primed cardiac fiber was then injected
with 1.5x106 cardiomyocytes in 100 L. Cell suspension that fell out or dripped off of the construct was
collected after injection, and seeded with the cardiac fiber in a rotating bioreactor tube for an additional
12 hours (similar to methods published previously).10 After the addition 12 hours of rotational bioreactor
seeding, recellularized fibers were removed from the bioreactor tube with sterile forceps, and placed into
6-well tissue culture plates onto custom 22-gauge stainless steel posts (1.5 mm apart). Cardiomyocyte
maintenance media was changed every 2 days following the initial seeding period, spontaneously
contracting tissue was observed 7-10 days after seeding, and functional tests were performed after 30 days
in culture.
Mechanical Function of Human Cardiac Slices & Fibers. Strain Analysis: Strain of contracting
myocardial slices and cardiac fibers was evaluated on successive image-stacks by using a high-spatial
resolution sub-pixel algorithm called high density mapping11, based on a method proposed by Foroosh
and Zerubia12. This technique is partially based on the capabilities of conventional particle tracking or
digital correlation techniques, displacements can be determined at hundreds of locations to provide a
whole field measurement, with a demonstrated accuracy of 0.09 pixels and precision of 0.04 pixels11, 13.
For myocardial slices, strain was assessed on both the cells (imaged using phase contrast, at the slice
surface) and underlying ECM (imaged using autofluorescence in the GFP channel, 20 m below the slice
surface). Image stacks were acquired using a Nikon Eclipse TE200 microscope (Nikon, Melville, NY),
with a 1280 x 1024 pixel resolution, at a frame rate of 20 fps for 20 seconds. For cardiac fibers, strain was
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assessed on deforming matrix 100-200 m below the fiber surface, using a method called micro-optical
coherence tomography (OCT) to create image stacks at a frame rate of 40 fps for 30 seconds (OCT
method described below). For HDM analysis, all images were converted to 8-bit grayscale for analysis.
Multiple contractions per sample were analyzed and averaged to determine area strain and frequency;
Unpaced slices (n=6), paced slices (n=4), unpaced fibers (n=4). Force analysis: Contractile force was
measured on submerged recellularized myocardial slices using an Aurora Scientific 403A Force
Transducer system. Since myocardial slices were fixed to tissue culture plastic, force was measured by
attaching a cantilever to the transducer, lowering the cantilever onto contractile cardiac tissue, and
detecting uniaxial deflections (n=9). Cardiac fibers reseeded with iPS-derived cardiomyocytes were
mounted lengthwise in our custom force measurement setup (Supplemental Fig.VI). Each fiber was
placed in a warmed (37C) media bath and one end was attached to a fixed point via a 6-0 silk suture. The
other end was attached to a force transducer (403A Force Transducer system; Aurora Scientific) also via a
6-0 silk suture, with a preload of 50 mg (50 N; n=4). In force measurements for both myocardial slices
and cardiac fibers, the force transducer was calibrated with 10-, 50-, and 100-mg weights, and data was
recorded at scale factor of 50 mg/volt. Signals were outputted to a PowerLab 16/35 digital acquisition
device (cat. # PL3516, AD Instruments Inc., Colorado Springs, CO) with a sampling rate of 1 kHz, and
then analyzed with LabChart software (cat. # MLU60/8, AD Instruments Inc.). Electrical Stimulation
During Mechanical Testing: During stimulation for strain and force measurements, we studied the
effects of electrical pacing. For myocardial slices, electrical pacing was conducted with a C-Pace EP
system (30 V, 5 ms; IonOptix LLC, Milton, MA) with increasing frequencies: 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, or 3 Hz. For
cardiac fibers, electrical pacing was conducted with a Grass S88 Stimulator (30 V, 5 ms; Grass
Technologies, Warwick, RI) with increasing frequencies: 1.5, 2, and 2.5 Hz.
Micro-Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). The use of OCT in this paper was based on methods
previously described.14 Briefly, axial (z) ranging for OCT was achieved by intereferometric measurement
of the optical delay of light returned from the sample. OCT as implemented in this manuscript is based
on Spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT).15 The application of OCT in this setup employed very broad
bandwidth light source (800150 nm laser-generated supercontinuum) and a common path reference arm
to achieve 1-m depth or axial (z) resolution. To achieve high transverse resolutions, a high numerical-
aperture objective lens (numerical aperture = 0.12) was used to focus the beam onto the sample. We
further engineered the focus of the probe beam with an annular apodizer, which reduced the focal spot
size from 2.4 to 2.0 m. Apodization and chromatic dispersion extended the focal depth to ~250 m,
enabling cross-sectional imaging at high resolutions. The system operates with user-configurable line and
frame rates and customizable scan geometry; settings were set to 40 frames per second, 512 A-lines per
frame in a linear scan, and 0.5 mm by 0.5 mm (X by Z) for a cross-sectional image.
Cardiac Fiber Voltage Mapping. Recellularized cardiac fibers were treated with 20 mmol/L blebbistatin
for 30 min to arrest motion, and then loaded with Di-8-ANEPPS (5 mmol/L) for 20 min at 37C
immediately prior to imaging. The cardiac fiber preparations were placed in a custom pacing and imaging
chamber, and voltage mapping of cardiac electric activity was performed with this chamber and a charge-
coupled device camera (CardioCCD-SMQ, RedShirt Imaging, Decatur, Ga) mounted on a Nikon TE2000
inverted microscope. The hearts were field paced at 60 bpm (Grass S48K Stimulator, West Warwick, RI).
Samples were illuminated with a 120-W metal-halide Exfo X-Cite 120 lamp with a 480/40 nm excitation
filter, and the fluorescence image was filtered through a 535/50 nm emission filter. Data were acquired at
a frame rate of 125 Hz. NeuroPlex software (RedShirtImaging) was used to view image sequences and
output darkfield-corrected mean fluorescence from regions of interest. Optical recordings were inverted
and low-pass filtered at 100 Hz. Fluorophore photobleaching was subtracted using a custom program, and
probe dynamics were fit using Clampfit software (Axon Instruments). Measurements of APDs were taken
as the average of 3 successive beats for each sample (n=4). APD was calculated at 80% repolarization
(APD80).
8
CIRCRES/2015/306874D/R2
Human Heart Bioreactor. Whole-heart acellular scaffolds were cultured in the human heart bioreactor
(Figs. 4A,E) which provides the organ with perfusion of media and mechanical stimulation. Perfusion
was achieved by driving media from the organ chamber into the main coronary arteries. In parallel with
the perfusion loop was a hollow-fiber oxygenator (Fiber oxygenator D150, cat. #73-3757, Harvard
Apparatus, Holliston, MA) fed with carbogen gas (95% oxygen, 5% carbon dioxide) to maintain media
buffering and oxygen content. The organ chamber also contained a small duct for collection of effluent
from the coronary sinus (CS, not shown in Fig. 4A). Mechanical stimulation was delivered to the left
ventricular wall via cyclic inflation and deflation of a fluid-filled balloon inserted into the LV via the
mitral valve (Fig. 4B). Both perfusion pressure and LV pressure were monitored for the duration of
culture (Fig. 4F). LV balloon inflation was controlled by oscillating the LV balloon pressure to deliver
strain to the left ventricular wall (Figs. 4B,C,F). The entire setup was then placed within an incubator at
37C to maintain physiologic temperature.
Preparation and Recellularization of Human Acellular Whole-Heart Scaffolds in the Human Heart
Bioreactor. All preparations for whole-heart acellular scaffolds were performed using aseptic technique,
sterilized tools, sterilized tubing, sterilized bioreactor parts, and sterile-filtered media. Whole-heart
acellular scaffolds were prepared by dissecting down the aortic root to access the left main coronary
artery (LCA), and then accessing the coronary sinus (CS) through the right atrium. Both the LCA and CS
were cannulated. A latex balloon was inserted into the LV via the mitral valve, and prefilled to fill the
ventricular cavity. The acellular scaffold was then mounted in the organ chamber of the bioreactor. The
LCA cannula was attached to a perfusion line, the CS cannula was attached to a collection duct, and the
LV balloon cannula attached to an external fluid reservoir behind the ventricle pump. Whole-heart
acellular scaffolds were primed overnight with 1 L of cardiomyocyte maintenance media for 12 hours, at
a rate of 60 mL/min, at 37C. After priming, organ chambers were brought into a clean biological safety
cabinet with laminar flow, whole-heart scaffolds were detached from the perfusion line, removed from the
organ chamber, and placed in a sterile surgical pan. Primed scaffolds were seeded with ~500x106 human
iPS-derived cardiomyocytes (unsorted) by intra-myocardial injection, into the epicardial surface of the
left ventricular free wall, between the LAD and left circumflex coronary artery (LCX; Fig. 4D).
Recellularized whole-heart scaffolds were then reattached to the perfusion line, the organ chamber was
sealed and returned back to the 37C incubator, and cells attached under static culture for 3-4 hours. After
the static period, perfusion culture was started at 20 mL/min for the first 12 hours, and then increased to
60 mL/min on day 2. Media volume was increased to 1.5 L at the beginning of static culture, and changed
every 48 hours. Functional tests were performed after 14 days in culture. Six hearts were recellularized
and cultured in this fashion, which are listed Supplemental Table I.
9
CIRCRES/2015/306874D/R2
signals were outputted to a PowerLab 16/35 digital acquisition device (cat #: PL3516; AD Instruments
Inc., Colorado Springs, CO), and then analyzed with LabChart software (cat #: MLU60/8; AD
Instruments Inc.). Electrical Pacing, ECG, and Electrical Activation Mapping: Electrical pacing was
conducted with a Grass S88 Stimulator (10-80 V, 5 ms, at 0.8 Hz; Grass Technologies, Warwick, RI) and
implanted temporary cardiac pacing wires (cat. # TPW50, Ethicon, Somerville, NJ) located at the border
of the recellularized volume. Electrocardiograms were recorded using an ECG Amplifier System and
micro-electrodes (cat. # D-79232, Hugo Sachs Elektronik / Harvard Apparatus, Holliston, MA), using a
150 Hz high-pass filter and a 0.1 Hz low-pass filter. ECG signals were outputted to a PowerLab 16/35
digital acquisition device (cat #: PL3516; AD Instruments Inc., Colorado Springs, CO), and then analyzed
with LabChart software (cat #: MLU60/8; AD Instruments Inc.). For electrical activation mapping, a
custom plaque electrode was constructed from an 8x8 PGA socket with gold/nickel plating (cat. #: 522-
13-064-08-000001; Mill-Max Manufacturing Corp., Oyster Bay, NY) to create an 8x8 pin array with 2.54
mm spacing between pins. Each socket in the 8x8 pin array was coupled to an input on a Prucka
Engineering CardioLab Amplifier (GE Healthcare, Wilmington, MA). The 8th row of pins in each column
were designated as reference channels, and electrical signals were recorded with a CardioLab 4000 EP
Recording System (GE Healthcare, Wilmington, MA), with a sampling rate of 1 kHz, and using a 150 Hz
high-pass filter and a 0.1 Hz low-pass filter.
Force and Pressure Trace Analysis. Force generation traces acquired from recellularized myocardial
slices, fibers, and recellularized whole-hearts were processed using custom Python scripts using SciPy16-18
to extract pulse amplitudes, periods, time to X% relaxation, and dominant frequency. A set of
approximately 8-12 pulses were analyzed per biological sample per condition and extracted parameters
were averaged within a set to obtain representative values. Amplitudes were calculated as the absolute
value between baseline and pulse peak. Periods were calculated as the time distance between consecutive
pulse peaks. Time to X% relaxation was calculated as the time distance between pulse peak and the signal
amplitude reducing by X% of peak amplitude. Dominant frequency was measured by first calculating a
fast-Fourier transform of the pulse set and then choosing the frequency corresponding to the highest peak
in the frequency domain. Left ventricular pressure traces from recellularized whole-hearts were also
processed using custom Python scripts to extract pulse peak pressure, maximum & minimum dP/dt, and
tau. Pulse peak pressure was calculated as the absolute value between baseline and pulse peak. Maximum
& minimum dP/dt was calculated as the maximum & minimum values of the derivative of the pressure
trace with respect to time within one pulse period. Tau was calculated by fitting an exponential decay
equation to the pressure trace between minimum dP/dt and the start of the next pressure pulse.19
Transmission Electron Microscopy. Tissue was fixed in Karnovsky fixative of 2.5% glutaraldehyde plus
2% paraformaldehyde and stored overnight at 4C. Tissue was washed of fixative in 0.1 M sodium
cacodylate buffer (pH 7.2) then postfixed in 2% OsO4 in sodium cacodylate buffer, dehydrated in a
graded alcohol series, and embedded in Epon t812 (Tousimis, Rockville, MD). Ultrathin sections were cut
on a Reichert-Jung Ultracut E microtome (Vienna, Austria), collected on uncoated 100-mesh copper
grids, stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate, and examined on a Philips CM-10 transmission electron
microscope (Eindhoven, The Netherlands).
Statistical Analysis. Results for coronary flow, vascular resistance, and biochemical analysis are
presented as mean standard deviation (SD). Results for mechanical testing of myocardium are
presented as mean standard deviation (SD). Comparisons for coronary flow and vascular resistance we
performed using a 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for solution type and cause of death, followed
by the Tukey post hoc comparison test. Comparisons for biochemical analysis and biaxial testing on
myocardium were performed using a students t-test. In all tests, differences were considered statistically
significant at a value of p < 0.05. Data for area strain and force-curve metrics of myocardial slices are
represented as mean standard deviation, and comparisons were performed using a 2-way ANOVA with
10
CIRCRES/2015/306874D/R2
a Tukey post hoc test for unstimulated versus stimulated conditions. All plots (except for Fig. 3J) were
generated using the Python 2D plotting library matplotlib20.
For each study, preliminary data analysis or pilot experimentation was performed to determine the
magnitude of the effect between study groups and this data was used to perform a power analysis to
calculate sample size requirements. The sample size for animal studies was based on sample sizes used
for similar studies, previously described in the literature.21 As a pre-established criteria triaged by the
NEOB, donor hearts with a known medical history of coronary artery disease were excluded from our
study. Randomization was based on the availability of decellularization chambers and acquisition of
donor tissue. For example, if the decellularization chambers were occupied, the donor tissue was allocated
into the control group. No randomization methods were employed for animal studies. Based on the
processing technique utilized to prepare the samples, blinding was not incorporated into the analysis of
the experiments, nor was it incorporated in animal studies.
11
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Supplemental Table I. Donor heart data
Cause of
Heart Decell, Sex Age Height Weight BMI
Death Experimental Allocation
ID Control M, F DCD, DBD yrs. cm kg kg/m^2
1 D NA *** *** *** *** *** Establishment of the perfusion decellularization process; Matrix histology
Establishment of the perfusion decellularization process; Matrix histology; Biochemical analysis;
2 D M B 36 177.80 86.18 27.20
Sterility testing
3 D M B 72 177.80 105.69 33.40 Establishment of the perfusion decellularization process; Matrix histology
4 C NA *** *** *** *** *** Matrix histology
Refinement of perfusion decellularization; Flow/Resistance analysis; Matrix histology; Sterility
5 D M B 41 170.18 98.88 34.22
testing
Refinement of perfusion decellularization; Flow/Resistance analysis; Matrix histology; Sterility
6 D F C 52 160.02 76.20 29.80
testing
7 C NA *** *** *** *** *** Biochemical analysis; DNA content; Matrix histology; Biaxial mechanical testing
8 D M C 57 185.42 115.21 33.46 Flow/Resistance analysis; Biochemical analysis; DNA content; Proteomics
9 D M B 52 177.80 90.72 28.31 Flow/Resistance analysis; Matrix histology; Sterility testing
10 C M B 61 177.80 118.39 37.45 Biochemical analysis; DNA content; Biaxial mechanical testing
11 D F C 47 162.56 69.85 26.49 Flow/Resistance analysis; Biochemical analysis; DNA content; Proteomics; Sterility testing
Flow/Resistance analysis; Biochemical analysis; DNA content; Proteomics; Biaxial mechanical
12 D M B 57 170.18 83.91 28.97 testing; Sterility testing
13 D NA *** *** *** *** *** Flow/Resistance analysis; Sterility Testing
14 C M B 44 167.64 67.13 23.84 Matrix histology; Matrix mechanics
15 C M C 58 177.80 78.93 24.90 Vascular histology; Matrix mechanics
16 D F C 48 162.56 70.76 26.83 Flow/Resistance analysis; Biochemical analysis; DNA content; Proteomics
17 C M C 47 167.64 99.79 35.43 Flow/Resistance analysis; Biochemical analysis; Matrix mechanics
18 C M B 67 165.10 64.86 23.88 Biaxial mechanical testing; Biochemical analysis; Matrix histology
19 D F B 64 157.48 132.90 53.63 Flow/Resistance analysis; Biochemical analysis; DNA content; Proteomics
20 D M B 73 172.72 59.87 20.11 Biaxial mechanical testing
21 C M B 59 187.96 120.66 34.10 Biochemical analysis; DNA content
22 D M C 56 177.80 89.36 28.22 Biochemical analysis; Biaxial mechanical testing
23 D M B 53 182.88 99.79 29.90 Biochemical analysis; Biaxial mechanical testing
24 C M B 51 165.10 67.13 24.39 Vascular histology; Matrix mechanics
25 C M B 18 175.26 73.03 23.78 Biaxial mechanical testing
26 C F B 64 157.48 59.42 24.10 Biaxial mechanical testing
27 D F B 73 162.56 67.13 25.46 Flow/Resistance analysis; Matrix mechanics
28 D F B 59 162.56 113.85 43.14 Biaxial mechanical testing
29 D F B 78 165.10 63.96 23.48 Vascular analysis by angio
30 D F B 56 152.40 54.88 23.81 Vascular analysis by angio
31 D F B 64 160.02 83.01 32.37 Sterility testing
32 C M B 50 175.26 91.17 29.74 Vascular analysis by angio; Matrix mechanics
33 C M B 56 165.10 69.85 25.61 Vascular analysis by angio; Matrix mechanics
34 C F C 65 170.18 57.15 19.68 Micro-vascular analysis with contrast dye; Matrix mechanics
35 C F C 45 172.72 77.11 25.78 Micro-vascular analysis with contrast dye
Sterility testing; Recellularization (436.4 million cells); Perfusion culture; Force-generating
36 D M C 50 185.42 84.82 24.67
contraction testing; Histology
37 C F B 72 165.10 89.81 33.46 Micro-vascular analysis with micro-beads; Matrix mechanics
38 C F B 76 162.56 83.46 31.52 Micro-vascular analysis with micro-beads; Matrix mechanics
39 C F B 72 177.80 74.84 23.72 Micro-vascular analysis with iron particles
40 C M C 52 177.80 71.21 22.46 Micro-vascular analysis with Microfil
41 C M C 61 172.72 88.45 29.71 Micro-vascular analysis with Microfil
42 D F B 47 160.02 75.30 29.33 Biaxial mechanical testing
43 C M C 24 185.42 142.43 41.83 Vascular analysis by angio
44 C F B 29 170.18 99.79 34.52 Biaxial mechanical testing
45 D F B 56 157.48 49.90 20.16 Matrix slice recellularization
46 D M C 26 180.34 69.85 21.52 Matrix slice recellularization
47 D F C 66 182.88 104.33 31.22 Matrix slice recellularization
Sterility testing; Recellularization (467.2 million cells); Perfusion culture; Force-generating
48 D M C 21 185.42 63.50 18.47
contraction testing; Ventricular pressure development testing; Histology
49 C F C 58 160.02 68.95 26.88 Biaxial mechanical testing
Sterility testing; Recellularization (520.1 million cells); Biomimetic culture; Ventricular pressure
50 D M B 26 177.80 74.84 23.72
development testing; Histology; Reseeded volume assessment (27.97%)
51 C F C 25 180.34 107.05 33.02 RNA/Histology controls
Sterility testing; Recellularization (513.7 million cells); Biomimetic culture; Metabolic analysis;
52 D M C 38 185.42 119.75 34.77
Force-generating contraction testing; Histology
53 C F C 67 167.64 72.12 25.82 RNA/Histology controls
54 C M C 55 177.80 91.17 28.85 RNA/Control cell isolation
55 D F B 33 175.26 74.84 24.37 Matrix slice recellularization
56 C F B 66 162.56 66.22 24.98 RNA/Control cell isolation
57 D M B 58 193.04 84.82 22.56 Sterility testing; Matrix fiber recellularization
58 D F C 62 165.10 64.86 23.88 Sterility testing; Matrix fiber recellularization
59 D M B 49 180.34 80.29 24.72 Biaxial mechanical testing
60 C F B 51 154.94 62.60 26.12 Biaxial mechanical testing
61 D M B 57 172.72 77.11 25.73 Sterility testing; Matrix fiber recellularization
Sterility testing; Recellularization (485.6 million cells); Biomimetic culture; Ventricular pressure
62 D M C 55 165.10 67.13 24.61 development testing; Electrophysiology testing; Histology; Reseeded volume assessment
(32.53%)
63 C F C 58 172.72 76.20 25.48 Immunological response study
64 D F B 59 160.02 49.90 19.53 DNA content; Immunological response study
Sterility; Recellularization (562.3 million cells); Biomimetic culture; Ventricular pressure testing;
65 D F B 61 162.56 59.87 22.71
Electrophysiology testing; Histology; Reseeded volume assessment (50.17%)
66 D NA *** *** *** *** *** Sterility testing
67 D F B 51 172.72 60.78 20.35 Micro-vascular analysis with Microfil
68 C F B 24 154.94 49.90 20.69 Micro-vascular analysis with Microfil
69 C M C 45 185.42 118.84 34.61 Proteomics; Matrix Histology
70 D M C 51 177.80 94.80 30.05 Sterility testing; Matrix fiber recellularization
71 D M C 28 170.18 74.84 25.89 Proteomics; Matrix Histology
72 C M C 55 162.56 73.03 27.62 Proteomics; Matrix Histology
73 C F C 58 162.56 70.31 26.52 Proteomics; Matrix Histology
Decell: 40 M: 36 DCD: 29 52.43 170.96 81.54 27.76 DCD - donation after cardiac death, DBD - donation after brain death, NA - Not Available;
Control: 33 F: 32 DBD: 39 14.29 9.53 20.53 6.09 Highlighted hearts were recellularized.
Supplemental Table II. Decellularized Myocardium Peptide List
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organs. Nature protocols. 2014;9:1451-1468
2. Crapo PM, Gilbert TW, Badylak SF. An overview of tissue and whole organ decellularization processes.
Biomaterials. 2011;32:3233-3243
3. Magrane M, Consortium U. Uniprot knowledgebase: A hub of integrated protein data. Database : the
journal of biological databases and curation. 2011;2011:bar009
4. Ashburner M, Ball CA, Blake JA, Botstein D, Butler H, Cherry JM, Davis AP, Dolinski K, Dwight SS,
Eppig JT, Harris MA, Hill DP, Issel-Tarver L, Kasarskis A, Lewis S, Matese JC, Richardson JE,
Ringwald M, Rubin GM, Sherlock G. Gene ontology: Tool for the unification of biology. The gene
ontology consortium. Nature genetics. 2000;25:25-29
5. Rodella LF, Rezzani R, Buffoli B, Bonomini F, Tengattini S, Laffranchi L, Paganelli C, Sapelli PL,
Bianchi R. Role of mast cells in wound healing process after glass-fiber composite implant in rats.
Journal of cellular and molecular medicine. 2006;10:946-954
6. Rezzani R, Rodella L, Tartaglia GM, Paganelli C, Sapelli P, Bianchi R. Mast cells and the inflammatory
response to different implanted biomaterials. Archives of histology and cytology. 2004;67:211-217
7. Carpenter AE, Jones TR, Lamprecht MR, Clarke C, Kang IH, Friman O, Guertin DA, Chang JH,
Lindquist RA, Moffat J, Golland P, Sabatini DM. Cellprofiler: Image analysis software for identifying
and quantifying cell phenotypes. Genome biology. 2006;7:R100
8. Maherali N, Ahfeldt T, Rigamonti A, Utikal J, Cowan C, Hochedlinger K. A high-efficiency system for
the generation and study of human induced pluripotent stem cells. Cell stem cell. 2008;3:340-345
9. Lian X, Hsiao C, Wilson G, Zhu K, Hazeltine LB, Azarin SM, Raval KK, Zhang J, Kamp TJ, Palecek SP.
Robust cardiomyocyte differentiation from human pluripotent stem cells via temporal modulation of
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VIDEO FILE LEGENDS
Supplemental Video I
bead perfusion through the conductance artery and microvasculature within the mid-myocardium of a
decellularized human heart, acquired using -optical coherence tomography (OCT).
Supplemental Video II
Spontaneously contracting human iPS-derived cardiomyocytes.
Supplemental Video IV
Micro-optical coherence tomography of a spontaneously contracting cardiac fiber reseeded with iPS-
derived cardiomyocytes.
Supplemental Video V
Strain delivery to the LV wall of a decellularized porcine heart under mechanical stimulation in our
bioreactor.
Supplemental Video VI
Recellularized human heart mounted in our human heart bioreactor under perfusion and mechanical
stimulation.