Objective Mechanical stimulation and inductive factors are both crucial aspects in tissue engineered cartilage. To evaluate the effects of mechanical stimulation combined with inductive factors on the differentiation of tissue engineered cartilage. Methods Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were isolated from newborn porcine (aged7 days and weighing 3-6 kg) and expanded in vitro. The BMSCs at passage 2 were seeded onto a scaffold of poly (lactic-coglycol ic acid) (PLGA) in the concentration of 5 × 107/mL to prepare cell-scaffold composite. Cell-scaffold composites were cultivated in a medium with chondrocyte-inducted factors (group A), in a vessel with mechanic stimulating only (group B), or mechanic stimulating combined with chondrocyte-inducted factors (group C) (parameters of mechanics: 1 Hz, 0.5 MPa, and 4 hours/day). Cell-scaffold composite and auto-cartilage served as positive control (group D) and negative control (group E), respectively. After 4 weeks of cultivation, the thickness, elastic modulus, and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content of composites were measured. Additionally, BMSCs chondrogenic differentiation was assessed via real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, immunohistochemistry, and histological staining. Results The thickness, elastic modulus, and maximum load in group C were significantly higher than those in groups A and B (P lt; 0.05). In groups A, B, and C, cartilage lacuna formation, GAG expression, and positive results for collagen type II were obsersed through HE staining, Safranin-O staining, and immunohistochemistry staining. The dyeing depth was deeper in group A than in group B, and in group C than in groups A and B; group C was close to group E. The GAG content in group C was significantly higher than that in groups A and B (P lt; 0.05). Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR revealed that mRNA expressions of collagen type I, collagen type II, and GAG in group C were significantly higher than those in groups A and B (P lt; 0.05), and in group A than in group B (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Mechanical stimulation combined with chondrocyte inductive factors can enhance the mechanical properties of the composite and induce higher expression of collagen and GAG of BMSCs.
Objective To review the current researches of scaffold materials for skeletal muscle tissue engineering, to predict the development trend of scaffold materials in skeletal muscle tissue engineering in future. Methods The related l iterature on skeletal muscle tissue engineering, involving categories and properties of scaffold materials, preparative techniqueand biocompatibil ity, was summarized and analyzed. Results Various scaffold materials were used in skeletal muscle tissue engineering, including inorganic biomaterials, biodegradable polymers, natural biomaterial, and biomedical composites. According to different needs of the research, various scaffolds were prepared due to different biomaterials, preparative techniques, and surface modifications. Conclusion The development trend and perspective of skeletal muscle tissue engineering are the use of composite materials, and the preparation of composite scaffolds and surface modification according to the specific functions of scaffolds.
Objective To study the mechanism of ectopic osteogenesis of nacre/Polylactic acid (N/P) artificial bone combined with allogenic osteoblasts, and to explore the possibility as a scaffold material of bone tissue engineering. Methods The allogenic- osteoblasts seeded onto N/P artificial bone were co-cultured in vivo 1 week.The N/P artificial bone with allogenic osteoblasts were implanted subcutaneously into the left back sites of the New Zealand white rabbits in the experimental group and the simple N/P artificial bone into the right ones in the control group. The complexes were harvested and examined by gross observation, histologic analysis and immunohistochemical investigation 2, 4 and 8 weeks after implantation respectively.Results In experimental group, the osteoid formed after 4 weeks, and the mature bone tissue withbone medullary cavities formed after 8 weeks; but in control group there was nonew bone formation instead of abundant fibrous tissue after 4 weeks, and more fibrous tissue after 8 weeks.Conclusion N/P artificial bone can be used as an optical scaffold material of bone tissue engineering.
ObjectiveTo explore the morphological and functional features of tissue engineered composite constructed with bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) as seeding cells, thermosensitive collagen hydrogel (TCH) and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) as the extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds in the dynamic culture system.
MethodsBMSCs were separated from long bones of Fischer344 rat, and cultured; and BMSCs at the 3rd generation were seeded on the ECM scaffold constructed with braided PLLA fiber and TCH. The BMSCs-ECM scaffold composite was cultured in the dynamic culture system which was designed by using an oscillating device at a frequency of 0.5 Hz and at swing angle of 70° (experimental group), and in the static culture system (control group) for 7 days. The general observation and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation were performed; total DNA content was measured at 0, 1, 3, and 7 days.
ResultsPLLA was surrounded by collagen to form translucent gelatiniform in 2 groups; and compact membrane developed on the surface of PLLA. SEM observation showed that BMSCs had high viability and were fusiform in shape with microvilli on the surface of cells, and arranged in line; collagen and cells filled in the pores of PLLA fiber in the experimental group. The cells displayed a flat shape on the surface; there were less cells filling in the pores of PLLA fiber in the control group. At 1, 3, and 7 days, total DNA content in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.05). The total DNA content were increased gradually with time in 2 groups, showing significant difference between at 0 day and at 7 days (P < 0.05).
ConclusionThe ECM constructed with TCH and PLLA has good biocompatibility. The dynamic cultivation system can promote the cell proliferation, distribution, and alignment on the surface of the composite, so it can be used for tissue engineered composite in vitro.
ObjectiveTo investigate the influences of lactic acid (LA), the final degradation product of polylactic acid (PLA) on the prol iferation and osteoblastic phenotype of osteoblast-l ike cells so as to provide theoretical basis for bone tissue engineering.
MethodsRos17/2.8 osteoblast-l ike cells were harvested and divided into 3 groups. In groups A and B, the cells were cultured with the medium containing 4, 8, 16, 22, and 27 mmol/L L-LA and D, L-LA, respectively. In group C, the cells were cultured with normal medium (pH7.4). The cell prol iferation was determined with MTT method after 1, 3, and 5 days. The relative growth ratio (RGR) was calculated, and the cytotoxicity was evaluated according to national standard of China. In addition, the alkal ine phosphatase (ALP) activity of cells cultured with medium containing 4 mmol/L L-LA (group A), 4 mmol/ L D, L-LA (group B), and normal medium (group C) after 1 and 5 days were detected with ALP kits, and the relative ALP ratio (RAR) was calculated; after 21 days, the calcium nodules were tested with von Kossa staining method, and were quantitatively analyzed.
ResultsWhen LA concentration was 4 mmol/L, the mean RGR of both groups A and B were all above 80%, and the cytotoxic grades were grade 0 or 1, which meant non-cytotoxicity. When LA concentration was 8 mmol/L and 16 mmol/ L, groups A and B showed cytotoxicity after 5 days and 3 days, respectively. When LA concentration was above 22 mmol/L, cell prol iferations of groups A and B were inhibited evidently after 1-day culture. At each LA concentration, RGR of group A was significantly higher than that of group B at the same culture time (P<0.05) except those at 4 mmol/L after 1-day and 3-day culture. After 1 day, the RAR of group A was significantly higher than that of group B on 1 day (144.1%±3.2% vs. 115.2%±9.8%, P<0.05) and on 5 days (129.6%±9.8% vs. 78.2%±6.9%, P<0.05). The results of von Kossa staining showed that the black gobbets in group A were obviously more than those of groups B and C. The staining area of group A (91.2%±8.2%) was significantly higher than that of groups B (50.3%±7.9%) and C (54.2%±8.6%) (P<0.05).
ConclusionThe concentration and composition of LA have significant effects on the cell proliferation and osteoblastic phenotype of osteoblast-l ike cells.
Objective
To investigate the effect of collagen type I concentration on the physical and chemical properties of the collagen hydrogel, and to analyze the effect of different concentrations of collagen type I hydrogel on the phenotype and gene expression of the chondrocytes in vitro.
Methods
Three kinds of collagen hydrogels with concentrations of 12, 8, and 6 mg/ mL (C12, C8, and C6) were prepared, respectively. The micro-structure, compressive modulus, and swelling ratio of the hydrogels were measured and analyzed. The chondrocytes at 2nd passage were cocultured with three kinds of collagen hydrogels in vitro, respectively. After 1-day culture, the samples were stained with fluorescein diacetate (FDA) / propidium iodide (PI) and the cell activity was observed under confocal laser microscope. After 14-day culture, HE staining and toluidine blue staining were carried out to observe the histological morphology, and mRNA expressions of chondrocytes related genes (collagen type II, Aggrecan, collagen type I, collagen type X, Sox9) were determined by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.
Results
With the increase of collagen type I concentration from 6 to 12 mg/mL, the physical and chemical properties of the collagen hydrogels changed significantly: the fiber network became dense; the swelling ratios of C6, C8, and C12 were 0.260 ± 0.055, 0.358 ± 0.072, and 0.539 ± 0.033 at 192 hours, respectively, showing significant differences among 3 groups (P lt; 0.05); and the compression modulus were (4.86 ± 0.96), (7.09 ± 2.33), and (11.08 ± 3.18) kPa, respectively, showing significant differences among 3 groups (P lt; 0.05). After stained with FDA/PI, most cells were stained green, and few were stained red. The histological observation results showed that the chondrocytes in C12 hydrogels aggregated obviously with b heterochromia, chondrocytes in C8 hydrogels aggregated partly with obvious heterochromia, and chondrcytes in C6 hydrogels uniformly distributed with weak heterochromia. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR results showed that the mRNA expressions of collagen type II and Aggrecan were at the same level in C12, C8, and C6; the expressions of collagen type I, Sox9, and collagen type X were up-regulated with the increase of collagen type I hydrogels concentration, and the expressions were the highest at 12 mg/mL and were the lowest at 6 mg/mL, showing significant differences among 3 groups (P lt; 0.05).
Conclusion
Increasing the concentration of collagen hydrogels leads to better mechanical properties and higher shrink-resistance, but it may induce the up-regulation of cartilage fibrosis and hypertrophy related gene expression.
Objective To observe the ability to repair bilateralradius bone defect with the composite of β-tricalciumphosphate(βTCP),hyaluronic acid(HA),type I collagen(COL-Ⅰ) and induced marrow stromal cells(MSCs), and to investigate the feasibility of the composite as a bone substitute material.Methods The MSCs of the New Zealand white rabbits were induced into ostoblasts, then combined with β-TCP, HA and COL-Ⅰ. Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were made the bilateral radius bone defects of 2 cm and divided into groups A, B and C. After 8 weeks, β-TCP-HA-COL-Ⅰ-MSCs （group A, n=27 sides）, autograft （group B, n=27 sides）andno implant（group C as control, n=6 sides）were implanted into the areas ofbilateral radius bone defects, respectively. The structure of the composite was observed by scanning electron microscope. The repairing effect was observed by gross, histomorphology, X-ray examination, and the degradation rate of inorganic substance at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. The ostogenic area and biomechanics ofgroup A were compared with those of group B at 12 weeks.Results The MSCs could stably grow in vitro, relatively rapidly proliferated, and could be induced into the ostoblasts.The composite was porous. The results of gross, histomorphology and X-ray showed that the bone defects were perfectly repaired in group A and group B, but not in group C. The ostogenic area or biomechanics had no statistically significant difference between groups A and B(Pgt;0.05). The weight of inorganic substance in group A were 75% ,57% and 42% at 4,8,12 weeks, respectively.Conclusion MSCs can be used as seedcells in the bone tissue engineering. The composite has porous structure, no reactions of toxicity to the tissue and rapid degradation, and it is an ideal carrier of seed cells.The β-TCP-HA-COL-Ⅰ-MSCs composite has the high ability of repairing bone defect and can serve as an autograft substitute material.
ObjectiveTo explore the preparation method, physical and chemical properties, and biocompatibility of a conductive composite scaffold based on polypyrrole/silk fibroin (PPy/SF) fiber with " shell-core” structure, and to provide a preliminary research basis for the application in the field of tissue engineered neuroscience.Methods The conductive fibers with " shell-core” structure were prepared by three-dimensional printing combined with in-situ polymerization. PPy/SF fiber-based conductive composite scaffolds were formed by electrospinning. In addition, core-free PPy conductive fibers and SF electrospinning fibers were prepared. The stability, biomechanics, electrical conductivity, degradation performance, and biological activity of each material were tested to analyze the comprehensive properties of fiber-based conductive composite scaffolds.ResultsCompared with pure core-free PPy conductive fibers and SF electrospinning fibers, the PPy/SF fiber-based conductive composite scaffolds with " shell-core” structure could better maintain the stability performance, enhance the mechanical stretchability of the composite scaffolds, maintain long-term electrical activity, and improve the anti-degradation performance. At the same time, PPy/SF conductive composite scaffolds were suitable for NIH3T3 cells attachment, conducive to cell proliferation, and had good biological activity.ConclusionPPy/SF fiber-based conductive composite scaffolds meet the needs of conductivity, stability, and biological activity of artificial nerve grafts, and provide a new idea for the development of a new generation of high-performance and multi-functional composite materials.
Objective To investigate the possibility of repairing articular cartilage defects with the mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) seeded type Ⅰ collagen-glycosaminoglycan(CG) matrices after being cultured with the chondrogenic differentiation medium. Methods The adherent population of MSCs from bone marrow of10 adult dogs were expanded in number to the 3rd passage. MSCs were seeded intothe dehydrothermal treatment (DHT) crosslinked CG matrices; 2×106 cells per 9mm diameter samples were taken. Chondrogenic differentiation was achieved by the induction media for 3 weeks. Cell contractility was evaluated by the measuement of the cell-mediated contraction of the CG matrices with time inculture.The in vitro formation of the cartilage was assessed by an assayemploying immunohistochemical identification of type Ⅱ collagen and by immunohistochemistry to demonstrate smooth muscle actin （SMA）. The cells seededingCGs wereimplanted into cartilage defectsof canine knee joints. Twelve weeks after surgery, the dogs were sacrificed and results were observed. Results There was significant contraction of the MSCsseeded DHT crosslinked CG scaffolds cultured in the cartilage induction medium. After 21 days, the MSCseeded DHT crosslinked matrices were contracted to 64.4%±0.3%; histologically, the pores were found to be compressedandthe contraction coupled with the newly synthesized matrix, transforming the MSCsseeded CG matrix into a solid tissue in most areas. The type Ⅱ collagen staining was positive. The SMA staining was positive when these MSCs were seeded and the contracted CGs were implanted into the cartilage defects of the canine knee joints to repair the cartilage defects. The function of the knee joints recovered and the solid cartilaginous tissue filled the cartilage defects. Conclusion The results demonstrates that MSCs grown in the CG matrices can produce a solid cartilaginous tissuecontaining type Ⅱ collagen after being cultured with the chondrogenic differentiation medium and implanted into cartilage defects. We hypothesize that the following steps can be performed in the chondrogenic process: ①MSCs express SMA, resulting in matrix contraction, thus achieving a required cell density (allowing the cells to operate in a necessary society)； ②Cells interact to form a type Ⅱ collagencontaining extracellular matrix (and cartilaginous tissue)； ③Other factors, suchas an applied mechanical stress, may be required to form a mature cartilage with the normal architecture.
