Conductive Polymer Substrates as Cardiac Tissue Culture Scaffold

Abstract

Myocardial infarction (MI) damages heart muscle, increasing its insulating properties and making the heart susceptible to arrhythmias and other diseases. The infarcted area, which replaces the damaged tissue, becomes electrically inactive, preventing the heart from maintaining a regular rhythm. In this research, we developed poly(3,4- ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfon ate (PEDOT:PSS) thin film with high ionic conductivity to facilitate electrical signal propagation in cardiomyocytes. The PEDOT:PSS film enhanced the expression of cardiac marker proteins such as Connexin 43 (Cx43) and α-actinin during cardiomyocyte culture on top. This increased protein expression improved electrical coupling between cardiomyocytes, allowing for more efficient interactions and synchronized contractions. Furthermore, the high Young's modulus of the PEDOT:PSS film provided significant mechanical support to cardiomyocytes, which was crucial for achieving both mechanical and electrical activation of the cells. We propose that this study introduces a novel approach to treating myocardial infarction, laying the groundwork for future clinical applications.