Porous silk scaffolds can be used for tissue engineering annulus fibrosus

There is no optimal treatment for symptomatic degenerative disc disease which affects millions of people worldwide. One novel approach would be to form a patch or tissue replacement to repair the annulus fibrosus (AF) through which the NP herniates. As the optimal scaffold for this has not been defined the purpose of this study was to determine if porous silk scaffolds would support AF cell attachment and extracellular matrix accumulation and whether chemically decorating the scaffold with RGD peptide, which has been shown to enhance attachment for other cell types, would further improve AF cell attachment and tissue formation. Annulus fibrosus cells were isolated from bovine caudal discs and seeded into porous silk scaffolds. The percent cell attachment was quantified and the cell morphology and distribution within the scaffold was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. The cell-seeded scaffolds were grown for up to 8 weeks and evaluated for gene expression, histological appearance and matrix accumulation. AF cells attach to porous silk scaffolds, proliferate and synthesize and accumulate extracellular matrix as demonstrated biochemically and histologically. Coupling the silk scaffold with RGD-peptides did not enhance cell attachment nor tissue formation but did affect cell morphology. As well, the cells had higher levels of type II collagen and aggrecan gene expression when compared to cells grown on the non-modified scaffold, a feature more in keeping with cells of the inner annulus. Porous silk is an appropriate scaffold on which to grow AF cells. Coupling RGD peptide to the scaffold appears to influence AF cell phenotype suggesting that it may be possible to select an appropriate scaffold that favours inner annulus versus outer annulus differentiation which will be important for tissue engineering an intervertebral disc.     

Nanofiber-based scaffolds for tissue engineering

For successful tissue engineering, it is essential to have as many biomimetic scaffolds as possible. With increasing interest in nanotechnology, development of nanofibers (n-fibers) by using the technique of electrospinning is having a new momentum. Among important potential applications of n-fiber-based scaffolds for tissue engineering represent an important advancing front. Nanoscaffolds (n-scaffolds) mimic natural extracellular matrix (ECM) and its nanoscale fibrous structure. With electrospinning, it is possible to develop submicron fibers from biodegradable polymers and these can also be used for developing multifunctional drug-releasing and bioactive scaffolds. Developed n-scaffolds are tested for their cytocompatibility using various cell models. In addition, they were seeded with cells for engineering tissue constructs. There is a large area ahead for further applications and development of these scaffolds. For instance, multifunctional scaffolds that can be used as controlled delivery system do have a potential and have yet to be investigated for improved engineering of various tissues. So far, there are only very few in vivo studies on n-scaffolds, but in the future many are expected to emerge. With the convergence of the fields of nanotechnology, drug release, and tissue engineering, new solutions could be found for the current limitations of tissue engineering. In this paper, nanoscaffolds developed by using electrospinning, used polymers so far, cytocompatibility and applications in tissue engineering are reviewed.     

人脐带间充质干细胞与蚕丝蛋白支架构建组织工程脂肪的研究

目的：将体外以人脐带间充质干细胞（hUCMSCs）与蚕丝蛋白支架初步构建的组织工程脂肪移植到大鼠体内,观察其演变过程。方法：hUCMSCs与蚕丝蛋白支架复合培养10天后,进行成脂诱导;6周后将其移植到Wi st ar大鼠后肢肌肉内,同时,以同体积支架材料作为对照;分别于移植后4周和8周取材,行油红O染色、HE染色以及扫描电镜观察。结果：hUCMSCs与蚕丝蛋白支架复合培养及成脂诱导6周后,见大量成脂样细胞生成,并与支架牢固粘附。移植4周,移植物体积略小,质稍硬,表面有透明薄膜形成,膜中分布新生血管网;油红O染色见支架内新生脂肪组织及细胞呈橙红色;HE染色显示支架网眼内有新生脂肪组织,并可见少量炎性细胞浸润;扫描电镜见支架网眼内有球形、表面光滑的脂肪细胞。移植8周,移植物体积进一步缩小,质变软,表面薄膜内血管网丰富;油红O染色见支架中着橙红色组织较前明显增多,部分呈片状融合;HE染色显示新生脂肪明显增多,仍有少量炎性细胞浸润;扫描电镜显示脂肪细胞较前增生明显。对照组同样可见炎性细胞浸润,未见新生脂肪组织生成,支架材料8周时较4周时降解更加明显。结论：随着时间推移,蚕丝蛋白支架网眼内脂肪细胞逐渐增多,支架材料在体内呈现逐步降解趋势,说明体内环境有利于组织工程化脂肪的进一步形成。同时,也提示支架材料在组织相容性方面尚存不足。     

脂肪组织工程支架材料的研究进展

组织工程的核心是建立由种子细胞和生物材料支架构成的三维空间结构复合体,生物材料是组织工程发展的关键,随着材料科学、化学和生物学的发展,各种适合细胞生长、繁殖和分化的天然和合成的可降解材料被用来制作组织工程支架。要成功构建工程化的脂肪组织,选择适当的支架     

Electrospun scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Tissue engineering aims to regenerate native tissues and will represent the alternative choice of standard surgery for different kind of tissue damages. The fundamental basis of tissue engineering is the appropriate selection of scaffolds and their morphological, mechanical, chemical, and biomimetic properties, closely related to cell lines that will be seeded therein. The aim of this review is to summarize and report the innovative scientific contributions published in the field of orthopedic tissue engineering, in particular about bone tissue engineering. We have focused our attention on the electrospinning technique, as a scaffold fabrication method. Electrospun materials are being evaluated as scaffolds for bone tissue engineering, and the results of all these studies clearly indicate that they represent suitable potential substrates for cell-based technologies.     

脂肪组织工程支架材料的研究进展

组织工程的核心是建立由种子细胞和生物材料支架构成的三维空间结构复合体,生物材料是组织工程发展的关键,随着材料科学、化学和生物学的发展,各种适合细胞生长、繁殖和分化的天然和合成的可降解材料被用来制作组织工程支架。要成功构建工程化的脂肪组织,选择适当的支架材料是必不可少的。支架材料为种子细胞提供贴服场所,而     

Shape-defining scaffolds for minimally invasive tissue engineering

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive surgical procedures are increasingly important in medicine, but biomaterials consistent with this delivery approach that allow one to control the structure of the material after implantation are lacking. Biomaterials with shape-memorizing properties could permit minimally invasive delivery of cell transplantation constructs and enable the formation of new tissues or structures in vivo in desired shapes and sizes. METHODS: Macroporous alginate hydrogel scaffolds were prepared in a number of predefined geometries, compressed into significantly smaller, different "temporary" forms, and introduced into immunocompromised mice by means of minimally invasive surgical delivery through a small catheter. Scaffolds were rehydrated in situ with a suspension of cells (primary bovine articular chondrocytes) or cell-free medium and delivered through the same catheter. Specimens were harvested at 1 hr to evaluate the efficacy of cell delivery and the recovery of scaffold geometry, and at 8 and 24 weeks to evaluate neotissue formation. RESULTS: A high percentage (88%) of scaffolds that were introduced with a catheter and rehydrated with cells had recovered their original shape and size within 1 hr. This delivery procedure resulted in cartilage structures with the geometry of the original scaffold by 2 months and histologically mature appearing tissue at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Shaped hydrogels, formed by covalently cross-linking, can be structurally collapsed into smaller, temporary shapes that permit their minimally invasive delivery in vivo. The rapid recovery of scaffold properties facilitates efficient cell seeding in vivo and permits neotissue formation in desired geometries.     

组织工程关节软骨梯度仿生支架的研究进展

由于良好的机械性能和生物相容性,组织工程支架已经成为修复和再生关节软骨缺损的重要方法。随着组织工程技术的不断发展,过去十年已经开发和测试了许多支架的制备和形成方法,但是理想再生支架的制备一直存在争议。关节软骨作为人体关节内的承重组织,其基质结构和细胞组成呈带状,并且从软骨表层至软骨下骨存在着几个平滑的自然梯度,包括细胞...     

种植骨髓基质细胞的骨组织工程学研究

目的 观察骨髓基质细胞在多孔状的人工骨块上三维立体培养后的生长情况及其复合植入体内后的成骨能力。方法 利用组织工程学方法,将骨髓基质细胞种植于羟基磷灰石人工骨块上,立体培养２周,用扫描电镜观察细胞在体外的生长情况;将上述细胞人工骨复合体自体异位植入体内,取材观察其植入体内后的成骨情况。结果 细胞在人工骨块上能立体培养成活,细胞多生长于周边的孔隙表面,尤其以贴近培养瓶底的那一边较多,骨块的中心部位未     

Novel three-dimensional nerve tissue engineering scaffolds and its biocompatibility with Schwann cells

To develop a novel scaffolding method for the copolymers poly lactide-co-glycolide acid (PLGA) to construct a three-dimensional (3-D) scaffold and explore its biocompatibility through culturing Schwann cells (SCs) on it. Methods: The 3-D scaffolds were made by means of melt spinning, extension and weaving. The queueing disci-pline of the micro-channels were observed under a scan-ning electronic microscope (SEM).The sizes of the micropores and the factors of porosity were also measured. Sciatic nerves were harvested from 3-day-old Sprague Dawley (SD) rats for culture of SCs. SCs were separated, purified, and then implanted on PLGA scaffolds, gelatin sponge and poly-L-lysine (PLL)-coated tissue culture poly-styrene (TCPS) were used as biomaterial and cell-support-ive controls, respectively. The effect of PLGA on the adherence, proliferation and apoptosis of SCs were exam-ined in vitro in comparison with gelatin sponge and TCPS. Results: The micro-channels arrayed in parallel manners, and the pore sizes of the channels were uniform. No significant difference was found in the activity of Schwann cells cultured on PLEA and those on TCPS (P>0.05), and the DNA of PLGA scaffolds was not damaged. Conclusion: The 3-D scaffolds developed in this study have excellent structure and biocompatibility, which may be taken as a novel scaffold candidate for nerve-tissue engineering.     

New perspectives of penile enhancement surgery: tissue engineering with biodegradable scaffolds

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in a multicenter, prospective study preliminary aesthetic and functional results of autologous ex-vivo tissue engineering for penile girth enhancement. METHODS: From July 1999 to January 2004, 204 men of mean age 26.77 (range 19-54 years) underwent this procedure. Indications for penile girth enhancement were penile dysmorphic disorder and previous failed surgery for penile girth enhancement. Fibroblast cells harvested from 1 cc of biopsied scrotal dermal tissue were expanded in culture until the total cell number of at least 2x10(7) was reached. Suspended cells in culture medium were then seeded on pretreated tube-shaped PLGA scaffolds and incubated for 24 hours. After penile degloving, scaffolds were shape adjusted and transplanted between dartos and Buck's fascia when the skin was compliant or under the neurovascular bundle when the skin was not compliant. RESULTS: A total of 84 randomly selected patients were followed 1 to 5 years postoperatively (median 24 months). The gain in girth ranged from 1.9 to 4.1cm (mean 3.15 cm). Postoperative complications occurred as infection in three, penile skin pressure necrosis in two and seroma formation in five patients and were all treated conservatively. Surgical intervention was appraised by patients on a scale from 1 to 5 as follows: the best mark (5) was given by 44.05%, very good (4) by 36.90%, good (3) by 19.05% and only one patient gave the mark 2 judging general penile appearance as dissatisfactory; mean score was 4.25. CONCLUSION: Autologous tissue engineering by using biodegradable scaffolds as a carrier is a new and safe therapeutic approach for penile girth enhancement. The outcome of this study points out the necessity for its expanded clinical applicability in the future.     

Novel three-dimensional nerve tissue engineering scaffolds and its biocompatibility with Schwann cells

To develop a novel scaffolding method for the copolymers poly lactide-co-glycolide acid (PLGA) to construct a three-dimensional (3-D) scaffold and explore its biocompatibility through culturing Schwann cells (SCs) on it. Methods: The 3-D scaffolds were made by means of melt spinning, extension and weaving. The queueing disci-pline of the micro-channels were observed under a scan-ning electronic microscope (SEM).The sizes of the micropores and the factors of porosity were also measured. Sciatic nerves were harvested from 3-day-old Sprague Dawley (SD) rats for culture of SCs. SCs were separated, purified, and then implanted on PLGA scaffolds, gelatin sponge and poly-L-lysine (PLL)-coated tissue culture poly-styrene (TCPS) were used as biomaterial and cell-support-ive controls, respectively. The effect of PLGA on the adherence, proliferation and apoptosis of SCs were exam-ined in vitro in comparison with gelatin sponge and TCPS. Results: The micro-channels arrayed in parallel manners, and the pore sizes of the channels were uniform. No significant difference was found in the activity of Schwann cells cultured on PLEA and those on TCPS (P>0.05), and the DNA of PLGA scaffolds was not damaged. Conclusion: The 3-D scaffolds developed in this study have excellent structure and biocompatibility, which may be taken as a novel scaffold candidate for nerve-tissue engineering.     

组织工程中胶原支架材料的研究进展

组织工程是应用工程学、生命科学的原理和方法来制备具有生物活性的人工替代物,用以维持、恢复或提高人体组织、器官的一部分或全部功能。组织工程的研究主要集中在种子细胞的选择、支架材料的制备、组织工程骨的构建及体内植入相容性情况等方面。其中生物支架材料的选择是组织、器官重建的关键因素之一。理想的细胞种植基质材料应具备：①良好的     

Novel three-dimensional nerve tissue engineering scaffolds and its biocompatibility with Schwann cells

To develop a novel scaffolding method for the copolymers poly lactide-co-glycolide acid (PLGA) to construct a three-dimensional (3-D) scaffold and explore its biocompatibility through culturing Schwann cells (SCs) on it. Methods: The 3-D scaffolds were made by means of melt spinning, extension and weaving. The queueing disci-pline of the micro-channels were observed under a scan-ning electronic microscope (SEM).The sizes of the micropores and the factors of porosity were also measured. Sciatic nerves were harvested from 3-day-old Sprague Dawley (SD) rats for culture of SCs. SCs were separated, purified, and then implanted on PLGA scaffolds, gelatin sponge and poly-L-lysine (PLL)-coated tissue culture poly-styrene (TCPS) were used as biomaterial and cell-support-ive controls, respectively. The effect of PLGA on the adherence, proliferation and apoptosis of SCs were exam-ined in vitro in comparison with gelatin sponge and TCPS. Results: The micro-channels arrayed in parallel manners, and the pore sizes of the channels were uniform. No significant difference was found in the activity of Schwann cells cultured on PLEA and those on TCPS (P>0.05), and the DNA of PLGA scaffolds was not damaged. Conclusion: The 3-D scaffolds developed in this study have excellent structure and biocompatibility, which may be taken as a novel scaffold candidate for nerve-tissue engineering.     

Novel three-dimensional nerve tissue engineering scaffolds and its biocompatibility with Schwann cells

To develop a novel scaffolding method for the copolymers poly lactide-co-glycolide acid (PLGA) to construct a three-dimensional (3-D) scaffold and explore its biocompatibility through culturing Schwann cells (SCs) on it. Methods: The 3-D scaffolds were made by means of melt spinning, extension and weaving. The queueing disci-pline of the micro-channels were observed under a scan-ning electronic microscope (SEM).The sizes of the micropores and the factors of porosity were also measured. Sciatic nerves were harvested from 3-day-old Sprague Dawley (SD) rats for culture of SCs. SCs were separated, purified, and then implanted on PLGA scaffolds, gelatin sponge and poly-L-lysine (PLL)-coated tissue culture poly-styrene (TCPS) were used as biomaterial and cell-support-ive controls, respectively. The effect of PLGA on the adherence, proliferation and apoptosis of SCs were exam-ined in vitro in comparison with gelatin sponge and TCPS. Results: The micro-channels arrayed in parallel manners, and the pore sizes of the channels were uniform. No significant difference was found in the activity of Schwann cells cultured on PLEA and those on TCPS (P>0.05), and the DNA of PLGA scaffolds was not damaged. Conclusion: The 3-D scaffolds developed in this study have excellent structure and biocompatibility, which may be taken as a novel scaffold candidate for nerve-tissue engineering.     

Novel three-dimensional nerve tissue engineering scaffolds and its biocompatibility with Schwann cells

To develop a novel scaffolding method for the copolymers poly lactide-co-glycolide acid (PLGA) to construct a three-dimensional (3-D) scaffold and explore its biocompatibility through culturing Schwann cells (SCs) on it. Methods: The 3-D scaffolds were made by means of melt spinning, extension and weaving. The queueing disci-pline of the micro-channels were observed under a scan-ning electronic microscope (SEM).The sizes of the micropores and the factors of porosity were also measured. Sciatic nerves were harvested from 3-day-old Sprague Dawley (SD) rats for culture of SCs. SCs were separated, purified, and then implanted on PLGA scaffolds, gelatin sponge and poly-L-lysine (PLL)-coated tissue culture poly-styrene (TCPS) were used as biomaterial and cell-support-ive controls, respectively. The effect of PLGA on the adherence, proliferation and apoptosis of SCs were exam-ined in vitro in comparison with gelatin sponge and TCPS. Results: The micro-channels arrayed in parallel manners, and the pore sizes of the channels were uniform. No significant difference was found in the activity of Schwann cells cultured on PLEA and those on TCPS (P>0.05), and the DNA of PLGA scaffolds was not damaged. Conclusion: The 3-D scaffolds developed in this study have excellent structure and biocompatibility, which may be taken as a novel scaffold candidate for nerve-tissue engineering.     

Novel three-dimensional nerve tissue engineering scaffolds and its biocompatibility with Schwann cells

To develop a novel scaffolding method for the copolymers poly lactide-co-glycolide acid (PLGA) to construct a three-dimensional (3-D) scaffold and explore its biocompatibility through culturing Schwann cells (SCs) on it. Methods: The 3-D scaffolds were made by means of melt spinning, extension and weaving. The queueing disci-pline of the micro-channels were observed under a scan-ning electronic microscope (SEM).The sizes of the micropores and the factors of porosity were also measured. Sciatic nerves were harvested from 3-day-old Sprague Dawley (SD) rats for culture of SCs. SCs were separated, purified, and then implanted on PLGA scaffolds, gelatin sponge and poly-L-lysine (PLL)-coated tissue culture poly-styrene (TCPS) were used as biomaterial and cell-support-ive controls, respectively. The effect of PLGA on the adherence, proliferation and apoptosis of SCs were exam-ined in vitro in comparison with gelatin sponge and TCPS. Results: The micro-channels arrayed in parallel manners, and the pore sizes of the channels were uniform. No significant difference was found in the activity of Schwann cells cultured on PLEA and those on TCPS (P>0.05), and the DNA of PLGA scaffolds was not damaged. Conclusion: The 3-D scaffolds developed in this study have excellent structure and biocompatibility, which may be taken as a novel scaffold candidate for nerve-tissue engineering.     

Novel three-dimensional nerve tissue engineering scaffolds and its biocompatibility with Schwann cells

To develop a novel scaffolding method for the copolymers poly lactide-co-glycolide acid (PLGA) to construct a three-dimensional (3-D) scaffold and explore its biocompatibility through culturing Schwann cells (SCs) on it. Methods: The 3-D scaffolds were made by means of melt spinning, extension and weaving. The queueing disci-pline of the micro-channels were observed under a scan-ning electronic microscope (SEM).The sizes of the micropores and the factors of porosity were also measured. Sciatic nerves were harvested from 3-day-old Sprague Dawley (SD) rats for culture of SCs. SCs were separated, purified, and then implanted on PLGA scaffolds, gelatin sponge and poly-L-lysine (PLL)-coated tissue culture poly-styrene (TCPS) were used as biomaterial and cell-support-ive controls, respectively. The effect of PLGA on the adherence, proliferation and apoptosis of SCs were exam-ined in vitro in comparison with gelatin sponge and TCPS. Results: The micro-channels arrayed in parallel manners, and the pore sizes of the channels were uniform. No significant difference was found in the activity of Schwann cells cultured on PLEA and those on TCPS (P>0.05), and the DNA of PLGA scaffolds was not damaged. Conclusion: The 3-D scaffolds developed in this study have excellent structure and biocompatibility, which may be taken as a novel scaffold candidate for nerve-tissue engineering.     

Novel three-dimensional nerve tissue engineering scaffolds and its biocompatibility with Schwann cells

To develop a novel scaffolding method for the copolymers poly lactide-co-glycolide acid (PLGA) to construct a three-dimensional (3-D) scaffold and explore its biocompatibility through culturing Schwann cells (SCs) on it. Methods: The 3-D scaffolds were made by means of melt spinning, extension and weaving. The queueing disci-pline of the micro-channels were observed under a scan-ning electronic microscope (SEM).The sizes of the micropores and the factors of porosity were also measured. Sciatic nerves were harvested from 3-day-old Sprague Dawley (SD) rats for culture of SCs. SCs were separated, purified, and then implanted on PLGA scaffolds, gelatin sponge and poly-L-lysine (PLL)-coated tissue culture poly-styrene (TCPS) were used as biomaterial and cell-support-ive controls, respectively. The effect of PLGA on the adherence, proliferation and apoptosis of SCs were exam-ined in vitro in comparison with gelatin sponge and TCPS. Results: The micro-channels arrayed in parallel manners, and the pore sizes of the channels were uniform. No significant difference was found in the activity of Schwann cells cultured on PLEA and those on TCPS (P>0.05), and the DNA of PLGA scaffolds was not damaged. Conclusion: The 3-D scaffolds developed in this study have excellent structure and biocompatibility, which may be taken as a novel scaffold candidate for nerve-tissue engineering.