Myocardial matrix material supports a proliferative microenvironment for cardiomyocytes

Novel therapeutics have sought to stimulate the endogenous repair mechanisms in the mammalian myocardium as the native regenerative potential of the adult cardiac tissue is limited. In particular, a myocardial matrix derived injectable hydrogel has shown efficacy and safety in various animal myocardial infarction (MI) including evidence of increased myocardium. In this study, investigation on the properties of this myocardial matrix material demonstrated its native capability as an effective reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger that can protect against oxidative stress and maintain cardiomyocyte proliferation in vitro. In vivo assessment of of myocardial matrix hydrogel treatment post-MI demonstrated increased thymidine analog uptake in cardiomyocytes compared to saline controls along with co-staining with cell cycle progression marker, phospho-histone H3. Overall, this study provides further evidence that properties of the myocardial matrix hydrogel promote an environment supportive of cardiomyocytes undergoing cell cycle progression.