Abstract 343: Embryonic Extracellular Matrix and Cardiomyocyte Maturation

Background: The progression of cell maturation is governed by intrinsic factors, but also by interaction with the milieu in which they reside. The extracellular matrix (ECM) from rapidly developing tissue should form a rich signaling environment for cellular development. Hypothesis: Murine embryonic ECM can be prepared by detergent decellularization that is morphologically preserved, biocompatible for cell culture, and at E13.5, substantial enough to permit vascular catheterization and recellularization by perfusion. When used as a scaffold for cell culture, it can be shown to have a salutatory effect on the morphologic and physiologic maturation of post-natal cardiomyocytes (CM). Methods and Results: To test the contribution of embryonic ECM to the performance of cardiomyocytes in culture, we undertook the isolation of ECM from developing murine embryos. Using a detergent decellularization protocol, we established an acellular scaffold that was shown to be free of native cells and returned to a biocompat...