The valves of the heart cannot regenerate spontaneously. Therefore, heart valve disease generally necessitates surgical repairs or replacement of diseased tissue by mechanical or bioprosthetic valve substitutes in order to avoid potentially fatal cardiac or systemic consequences. Although survival and quality of life is enhanced for many patients treated surgically, currently available valve substitutes remain imperfect. One revolutionary idea is to regenerate the heart valve apparatus. We are developing novel exciting possibilities for in situ regeneration and repair of heart valves. Our approach to regenerate damaged or diseased heart valves requires integration of diverse array of basic scientific principles and enabling technologies. Our novel approach offers engineered tissues, which can potentially create a non-obstructive, non-thrombogenic tissue valve substitutes containing living cells capable of providing ongoing remodeling and repair of cumulative injury to extracellular matrix.
