Figure 5 | Scientific Reports

Figure 5

From: Enhancing all-in-one bioreactors by combining interstitial perfusion, electrical stimulation, on-line monitoring and testing within a single chamber for cardiac constructs

Figure 5

(a) Experimental plan: cells were embedded in Matrigel, seeded on a collagen scaffold, let adhere for two hours and placed in the culture chambers; constructs were electrically stimulated for 4 days after a static culture of 3 days (Elect), bidirectionally perfused for 7 days (Perf) or perfused for 7 days in combination with an electrical stimulation, which started after 3 days (Perf + Elect). (b) Cytocompatibility of the stimuli provided by the chamber was assessed on NRCF constructs by Live/Dead (scale bars: 500 µm) and MTT assays performed after 7 days of culture. Cardiac functionality was evaluated by: (c) measuring the percentage of fraction area change of the construct during its beating (scale bar 1 mm); (d) analyzing the ET and MCR parameters during the pacing test; (e) evaluating the transcriptional expression of cardiac markers, such as myosin heavy chains, troponins and gap junction proteins, in constructs cultured for 7 days.

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