Human heart made from human cells created with a 3D printer for the first time

For the first time in recorded history, scientists created a functional vascularized artificial heart using human cells by printing it in 3D.

The advancement, which could change medicine forever, was unveiled in a study published in Advanced Science Monday.

"This is the first time anyone has designed and successfully printed an entire heart filled with cells, blood vessels, ventricles and chambers," said Tal Dvir, a professor at Tel Aviv University.

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Dvir continued, "This heart is made from human cells and patient-specific biological materials, and in our process these materials serve as biological bonds, sugar and protein-based substances that can be used for 3D printing. intricate tissue models 3D-print the structure of a heart in the past, but not with cells or blood vessels Our results demonstrate the potential of our approach to engineering customized tissue and organ replacement the future. "

To create the 3D printed heart, adipose tissue was collected from patients, which were separated into cellular and a-cellular materials. The cells were "reprogrammed to become pluripotent stem cells, the extracellular matrix (ECM), three-dimensional network of extracellular macromolecules such as collagen and glycoproteins, were transformed into a custom hydrogel that served as an" ink "print "" according to the statement.

Once mixed with the hydrogel, they were separated into cardiac and endothelial cells to create patient-specific heart patches (a step that Dvir says "crucial") with their own blood vessels.

"The biocompatibility of engineering materials is crucial to eliminate the risk of implant rejection, which compromises the success of such treatments," Dvir added. "Ideally, the biomaterial should have the same biochemical, mechanical, and topographic properties of the patient's own tissue, here we can report a simple approach to thick, vascularized, and perfusable 3D-printed heart tissue that perfectly matches immunologic, cellular, and biochemical functions. and cellular anatomical properties of the patient. "

Although the heart was made with human cells and "and patient-specific biological material," it is still too small to be used for organ transplantation because it is only the size of a rabbit heart, only a few grams. For comparison purposes, the average size of an adult heart is between 250 and 350 grams and is often described as the size of a fist.

However, the potential for enlargement does exist, Dvir added, adding that "larger hearts need the same technology".

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The study draws on the prevalence of heart disease in Israel and the United States. According to data compiled by the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, killing more than 600,000 people each year.

With additional work, Dvir hopes to be able to teach the heart to "behave" like a heart, including tasks such as pumping blood and proper functioning of the valves.

"Cells must be pumping capacity, they can actually contract, but we need them to work together, we hope to succeed and prove the efficiency and the usefulness of our method", said Dvir. "Maybe in ten years, there will be organ printers in the best hospitals in the world and these procedures will be done routinely."

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