C04-Characterising the innate immune response to decellularised extracellular matrix-based heart valve and aortic implants

Decellularised human heart valves (DHV) are a promising therapeutic approach for heart valve replacement in terms of biocompatibility and durability. Nonetheless, early and late degeneration of aortic DHVs has been observed in some patients, with several studies implicating the immune response to the decellularised extracellular matrix (dECM) in this process. In this project, we aim to characterise the immune response to dECM graft material and investigate how its modulation may affect host integration of dECM-based implants. Altogether, we hope to establish the molecular groundwork for targeted pharmacological therapies to improve integration, biocompatibility, and durability of DHVs.