Application of perfusion culture system improves in vitro and in vivo osteogenesis of bone marrow-derived osteoblastic cells in porous ceramic materials

Composites of bone marrow-derived osteoblasts (BMOs) and porous ceramics have been widely used as a bone graft model for bone tissue engineering. Perfusion culture has potential utility for many cell types in three-dimensional (3D) culture. Our hypothesis was that perfusion of medium would increase the cell viability and biosynthetic activity of BMOs in porous ceramic materials, which would be revealed by increased levels of alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity and osteocalcin (OCN) and enhanced bone formation in vivo. For testing in vitro, BMO/beta-tricalcium phosphate composites were cultured in a perfusion container (Minucells and Minutissue, Bad Abbach, Germany) with fresh medium delivered at a rate of 2 mL/h by a peristaltic pump. The ALP activity and OCN content of composites were measured at the end of 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks of subculture. For testing in vivo, after subculturing for 2 weeks, the composites were subcutaneously implanted into syngeneic rats. These implants were harvested 4 or 8 weeks later. The samples then underwent a biochemical analysis of ALP activity and OCN content and were observed by light microscopy. The levels of ALP activity and OCN in the composites were significantly higher in the perfusion group than in the control group (p < 0.01), both in vitro and in vivo. Histomorphometric analysis of the hematoxylin- and eosin-stained sections revealed a higher average ratio of bone to pore in BMO/beta-TCP composites of the perfusion group after implantation: 47.64 +/- 6.16 for the perfusion group and 26.22 +/- 4.84 for control at 4 weeks (n = 6, p < 0.01); 67.97 +/- 3.58 for the perfusion group and 47.39 +/- 4.10 for control at 8 weeks (n = 6, p < 0.05). These results show that the application of a perfusion culture system during the subculture of BMOs in a porous ceramic scaffold is beneficial to their osteogenesis. After differentiation culture in vitro with the perfusion culture system, the activity of the osteoblastic cells and the consequent bone formation in vivo were significantly enhanced. These results suggest that the perfusion culture system is a valuable and convenient tool for applications in tissue engineering, especially in the generation of artificial bone tissue.     

双基因转染犬骨髓间充质干细胞复合HA/ZrO2生物材料新型组织工程骨的构建及其体外成骨能力的研究

目的 构建骨形态发生蛋白2(BMP-2)、血管内皮细胞生长因子165(VEGF165)双基因修饰的骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSCs)复合羟基磷灰石复合二氧化锆(HA/ZrO₂)生物材料的新型组织工程骨,并观察该组织工程骨在体外的成骨能力。方法 采用有机泡沫作为模版,干铺烧制法制备新型的蜂窝状HA/ZrO₂梯度生物材料,电镜观察新型生物材料的表面特性,生物力学试验机检测其力学性能。采取1岁龄健康beagle犬骨髓分离原代BMSCs进行培养,建立双基因修饰的BMSCs复合蜂窝状HA/ZrO₂梯度生物材料的共培养体,构建新型组织工程骨。实验分为4组:未转染组,只转染BMP-2(BMP-2组)和VEGF165(VEGF165组)单一目的基因的BMSCs,以及转染BMP-2、VEGF165共基因慢病毒的BMSCs组(BMP-2+VEGF165组)。显微镜下观察细胞在支架材料上的生长情况,用碱性磷酸酶染色检测各组细胞成骨分化能力,免疫组织化学染色检测其成骨细胞特异性蛋白骨Ⅰ型胶原及骨钙素的分泌。结果 新型材料电镜下其表面整体呈多孔状,孔径125~550 μm,各孔之间存在缝隙联结;其平均抗弯强度为812.25 MPa,最高可达987.12 MPa;共培养体建立后扫描电镜观察转染后的BMSCs在支架材料上黏附生长状况良好,双基因联合转染组细胞分泌基质旺盛;BMP-2+VEGF165组细胞碱性磷酸酶活性检测明显高于其他各组(F=1 029.398,P<0.01),免疫组织化学染色在不同阶段发现成骨细胞早晚期分泌的骨Ⅰ型胶原及骨钙素特异性蛋白。结论 新型的蜂窝状HA/ZrO₂梯度生物材料是一种合适种子细胞生长的支架材料,并且其力学满足人体四肢承重骨的需要;VEGF165、BMP-2双基因转染BMSCs后具有协同作用,能够促进其在体外的成骨分化。     

Influence of platelet-rich plasma on osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and ectopic bone formation in calcium phosphate ceramics

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains a mixture of growth factors that play an important role in wound and fracture healing. While PRP enhanced bone formation by autogenous cancellous bone grafts, its influence in combination with different bone substitutes remained unknown. This study evaluated the effect of PRP on osteogenic differentiation and ectopic bone formation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in distinct resorbable calcium phosphate ceramics. Calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA) blocks with a large specific surface area (48 m2/g) and beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) with a low specific surface area (<0.5 m2/g) were loaded with 2 x 10(5) bone marrow-derived MSC. Half of the specimens were treated with 5-fold concentrated PRP. Biocomposites were implanted subcutaneously into SCID mice or kept under osteogenic culture conditions for 2 weeks before implantation. The addition of PRP increased the specific alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity (p = 0.012) in undifferentiated MSC/CDHA composites but not in MSC/beta-TCP composites. Osteogenic preinduction was ineffective for CDHA and reduced ALP activity of beta-TCP composites significantly at explantation. Ectopic bone formation was stronger in MSC/CDHA (7/32) compared to MSC/beta-TCP (2/30) composites, but no influence of PRP was evident. In conclusion, the effect of PRP depended on the type of ceramic and the differentiation status of the MSC, and enhanced ALP activity of MSC on the high surface scaffold CDHA only, but PRP did not improve osteogenesis in our setting.     

Comparison of human bone marrow stromal cells seeded on calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite,beta-tricalcium phosphate and demineralized bone matrix

The aim of this study was to compare three resorbable biomaterials regarding seeding efficacy with human bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), cell penetration into the matrix, cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. Calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA), beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP), and demineralized bone matrix (DBM) were seeded with human BMSCs and kept in human serum and osteogenic supplements for 3 weeks. Morphologic and biochemical evaluations were performed on day 1, 7, 14 and 21. The allograft DBM and CDHA exhibited both an excellent seeding efficacy while the performance of beta-TCP was lower when compared. The total protein content and the values for specific alkaline phosphatase (ALP) increased on all matrices and no significant difference was found for these two markers. BMSCs in monolayer had a significant increase of protein, but not of ALP. Osteocalcin (OC) values increased significantly higher for BMSC in cultures on DBM when compared to CDHA and beta-TCP. The OC levels decreased significantly in the BMSC monolayer culture. BMSCs were found inconsistently within the synthetic materials, whereas in DBM they were found more homogeneously distributed throughout the matrix. All three matrices promoted BMSC proliferation and differentiation to osteogenic cells. DBM allografts seem to be more favorable with respect to cell ingrowth tested by histology, and osteogenic differentiation ascertained by an increase of OC. CDHA with its high specific surface area showed more favorable properties than beta-TCP regarding reproducibility of the seeding efficacy.     

Ectopic bone formation associated with mesenchymal stem cells in a resorbable calcium deficient hydroxyapatite carrier

Bone substitute materials can induce bone formation in combination with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). The aim of the current study was to examine ectopic in vivo bone formation with and without MSC on a new resorbable ceramic, called calcium deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA). Ceramic blocks characterized by a large surface (48 m2/g) were compared with beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP), hydroxyapatite (HA) ceramics (both ca. 0.5 m2/g surface) and demineralized bone matrix (DBM). Before implantation in the back of SCID mice carriers were freshly loaded with 2x10(5) expanded human MSC or loaded with cells and kept under osteogenic conditions for two weeks in vitro. Culture conditions were kept free of xenogenic supplements. Deposits of osteoid at the margins of ceramic pores occurred independent of osteogenic pre-induction, contained human cells, and appeared in 416 MSC/CDHA composites compared to 216 MSC/beta-TCP composites. ALP activity was significantly higher in samples with MSC versus empty controls (p<0.001). Furthermore, ALP was significantly (p<0.05) higher for all ceramics when compared to the DBM matrix. Compared to previous studies, overall bone formation appeared to be reduced possibly due to the strict human protocol. Ectopic bone formation in the novel biomaterial CDHA varied considerably with the cell pool and was at least equal to beta-TCP blocks.     

Bone formation using human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells and a biodegradable scaffold

Human adipose tissue, obtained by liposuction, was processed to obtain a fibroblast-like population of cells or adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ATSCs). The ATSCs, as well as bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), have the capacity for renewal and the potential to differentiate into multiple lineages of mesenchymal tissues. These cells are capable of forming bone when implanted ectopically in an appropriate scaffold. The aim of this study was to evaluate a beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) as a scaffold and to compare the potential of osteogenic differentiation of ATSCs with BMSCs. Both cell types were loaded into beta-TCP disk and cultured in an osteogenic induction medium. Optimal osteogenic differentiation in ATSCs in vitro, as determined by secretion of osteocalcin, scanning electron microscope, and histology, were obtained in the culturing with the beta-TCP disk. Furthermore, bone formation in vivo was examined by using the ATSC- or BMSC-loaded scaffolds in nude mice. The present results show that ATSCs have a similar ability to differentiate into osteoblasts and to synthesize bone in beta-TCP disk as have BMSCs.     

Ectopic osteoinduction and early degradation of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2-loaded porous beta-tricalcium phosphate in mice

The present study investigated the ectopic osteoinduction and early degradation of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2)-loaded porous beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) in mice. The porous beta-TCP with 50 microg of rhBMP-2 (n = 25) and porous beta-TCP (control group, n = 25) were implanted into muscle pouches in the right and left thigh of 28-day-old mice (n = 25), respectively. At every time point (3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after implantation), five mice were euthanized and the histological examinations of implantation sites were performed. In addition, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was also quantitatively analyzed. For the rhBMP-2-loaded group, blood vessel formation and immature cartilage was observed within the porous beta-TCP 3 days after implantation. Mature cartilage was observed 7 days after implantation of rhBMP-2-loaded porous beta-TCP. Newly formed woven bone, lamellar bone as well as marrow were observed 14 and 21 days after implantation of the rhBMP-2-loaded porous beta-TCP. Lamellar bone and marrow were observed 28 days after implantation of the rhBMP-2-loaded porous beta-TCP. For the control group, no bone or cartilage was observed at all time points. However, multinucleated giant cells and fibrous tissues were observed in the control group at 7 and 28 days after implantation, respectively. At 21 and 28 days after implantation, porous beta-TCP was observed to fragment indicating early degradation of the porous beta-TCP in both groups. In addition, ALP was observed to be significantly higher in the rhBMP-2-loaded beta-TCP as compared to the control beta-TCP. It was concluded from this study that the rhBMP-2-loaded porous beta-TCP induced blood vessel and ectopic bone formation.     

Ectopic bone regeneration by human bone marrow mononucleated cells, undifferentiated and osteogenically differentiated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in beta-tricalcium phosphate scaffolds

Tissue engineering approaches using the combination of porous ceramics and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) represent a promising bone substitute for repairing large bone defects. Nevertheless, optimal conditions for constructing tissue-engineered bone have yet to be determined. It remains unclear if transplantation of predifferentiated BMSCs is superior to undifferentiated BMSCs or freshly isolated bone marrow mononucleated cells (BMNCs) in terms of new bone formation in vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of in vitro osteogenic differentiation (β-glycerophosphate, dexamethasone, and l-ascorbic acid) of human BMSCs on the capability to form tissue-engineered bone in unloaded conditions after subcutaneous implantation in nude mice. After isolation from human bone marrow aspirates, BMNCs were divided into three parts: one part was seeded onto porous beta-tricalcium phosphate ceramics immediately and transplanted in a heterotopic nude mice model; two parts were expanded in vitro to passage 2 before cell seeding and in vivo transplantation, either under osteogenic conditions or not. Animals were sacrificed for micro-CT and histological evaluation at 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks postimplantation. The results showed that BMSCs differentiated into osteo-progenitor cells after induction, as evidenced by the altered cell morphology and elevated alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposition, but their clonogenicity, proliferating rate, and seeding efficacy were not significantly affected by osteogenic differentiation, compared with undifferentiated cells. Extensive new bone formed in the pores of all the scaffolds seeded with predifferentiated BMSCs at 4 weeks after implantation, and maintained for 20 weeks. On the contrary, scaffolds containing undifferentiated BMSCs revealed limited bone formation only in 1 out of 6 cases at 8 weeks, and maintained for 4 weeks. For scaffolds with BMNCs, woven bone was observed sporadically only in one case at 8 weeks. Overall, this study suggests that ectopic osteogenesis of cell/scaffold composites is more dependent on the in vitro expansion condition, and osteo-differentiated BMSCs hold the highest potential concerning in vivo bone regeneration.     

Promotion of bone formation using highly pure porous beta-TCP combined with bone marrow-derived osteoprogenitor cells

Beta-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) exhibits rapid degradation and weak mechanical properties, which has limited its application as bone graft substitutes, though it has good biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. We hypothesized that a composite of highly pure porous beta-TCP and bone marrow-derived osteoprogenitor cells (BMO) could improve bone formation, and slow down the degradation of beta-TCP. A highly pure porous beta-TCP with 75% porosity was fabricated. The pores averaged 200-400 microm in diameter, with interconnecting paths 100-200 microm. Blocks of beta-TCP 5 mm3 were combined with BMO, and incubated 2 weeks with (+) or without (-) osteogenic medium. They were then implanted into subcutaneous sites of syngeneic rats for 24 weeks. These composites were harvested at different time points. The alkaline phosphatase activity and bone osteocalcin content of the composites (+) were much higher than corresponding values in the composites (-) of the control group (p<0.01). Light microscopy revealed mature bone and lots of blood vessels only in the TCP/BMO composite (+). The amount of newly formed bone increased until week 24. Slow resorptive activity could be found. The mechanical parameters of the composites were much improved over those of dry beta-TCP blocks. These results showed that tissue engineering treatment on incubating the composites of beta-TCP and BMO cells in osteogenic medium results in a good osteogenic activity.     

The effect of cell-based bone tissue engineering in a goat transverse process model

A disadvantage of traditional posterolateral spinal fusion models is that they are highly inefficient for screening multiple conditions. We developed a multiple-condition model that concentrates on the initial process of bone formation from the transverse process and not on a functional fusion. The effect of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in four different porous ceramic scaffolds was investigated in this setting. Polyacetal cassettes were designed to fit on the goat transverse process and house four different ceramic blocks, i.e: hydroxyapatite (HA) sintered at 1,150 degrees and 1,250 degrees; biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP). Goat BMSCs (n=10) were cultured and per-operatively seeded autologeously on one of two cassettes implanted per animal. The cassettes were bilaterally mounted on the dorsum of decorticated L2-processes for 9 weeks. To asses the dynamics of bone formation, fluorochrome labels were administered and histomorphometry focused on the distribution of bone in the scaffolds. A clear difference in the extent of bone ingrowth was determined for the different scaffold types. An obvious effect of BMSC seeding was observed in three of four scaffold types, especially in scaffold regions adjacent to the overlying muscle. Generally, the BCP and TCP scaffolds showed better osteoconduction and an increased response to BMSCs administration. In conclusion the model provides a reliable and highly efficient method to study bone formation in cell-based tissue engineering. An effect of cell administration was obvious in three of the four scaffold materials.     

Effect of autologous bone marrow stromal cell seeding and bone morphogenetic protein-2 delivery on ectopic bone formation in a microsphere/poly(propylene fumarate) composite

A biodegradable microsphere/scaffold composite based on the synthetic polymer poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) holds promise as a scaffold for cell growth and sustained delivery vehicle for growth factors for bone regeneration. The objective of the current work was to investigate the in vitro release and in vivo bone forming capacity of this microsphere/scaffold composite containing bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in combination with autologous bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in a goat ectopic implantation model. Three composites consisting of 0, 0.08, or 8 microg BMP-2 per mg of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres, embedded in a porous PPF scaffold, were combined with either plasma (no cells) or culture-expanded BMSCs. PPF scaffolds impregnated with a BMP-2 solution and combined with BMSCs as well as empty PPF scaffolds were also tested. The eight different composites were implanted subcutaneously in the dorsal thoracolumbar area of goats. Incorporation of BMP-2-loaded microspheres in the PPF scaffold resulted in a more sustained in vitro release with a lower burst phase, as compared to BMP-2-impregnated scaffolds. Histological analysis after 9 weeks of implantation showed bone formation in the pores of 11/16 composites containing 8 microg/mg BMP-2-loaded microspheres with no significant difference between composites with or without BMSCs (6/8 and 5/8, respectively). Bone formation was also observed in 1/8 of the BMP-2-impregnated scaffolds. No bone formation was observed in the other conditions. Overall, this study shows the feasibility of bone induction by BMP-2 release from microspheres/scaffold composites.     

Evaluation of different scaffolds for BMP-2 genetic orthopedic tissue engineering

To better understand the effects of scaffold materials for bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) genetic tissue engineering in vivo, several gels, including alginate, collagen, agarose, hyaluronate, fibrin, or Pluronic, were mixed with adenovirus-mediated human BMP-2 gene (Adv-hBMP-2) transduced bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and injected into the muscles of athymic mice to evaluate the resulting osteogenesis and chondrogenesis. These gel and gene-transduced BMSC mixtures were also loaded onto beta-TCP/HAP biphasic calcined bone (BCB) and observed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, these composite scaffolds were implanted into the subcutaneous site of athymic mice to construct tissue-engineered bone. After injection, collagen, hyaluronate, or alginate gel mixed with gene-transduced BMSCs induced more bone formation than a cell suspension in alpha-MEM. The agarose-gene-transduced BMSC gel was found to contain much more hyaline cartilage. SEM showed the BMSCs could survive in alginate, agarose, and collagen gel in vitro for up to 8 d. After implantation of tissue-engineered bone, the alginate, collagen, and agarose gel could promote new bone formation within a BCB in vivo. Little or no bone formed after injection of fibrin or Pluronic gel mixed with BMSCs or implantation with BCB. These findings help to elucidate the effects of various scaffold materials for future research in orthopedic tissue engineering using BMP-2 transduced cells.     

瓦楞状组织工程骨支架对种子细胞接种和成骨的影响

背景：不同形状工程骨支架负载种子细胞修复骨缺损的研究效果评价不一,而负载细胞数量的多少是影响疗效的重要因素之一,目前该方面研究证据不多。 目的：自制瓦楞状组织工程骨支架和其他3种形状的支架,比较4种不同形状支架负载种子细胞的数量,以及瓦楞状组织工程骨支架体内成骨时凹槽的优势及特点。 方法：①体外实验：将体积和样本数相同的4组支架分为单纯瓦楞状支架组、无瓦楞支架组、圆柱状支架组和带中空管柱状支架组,分别以相同密度、相同容积的成骨诱导兔骨髓间充质干细胞悬液接种于支架表面,孵育、培养、消化、收集,进行细胞计数、吸光度值检测以及碱性磷酸酶和茜素红染色。②体内实验：将兔随机分为重组人骨形态发生蛋白2/瓦楞状自固化磷酸钙人工骨组,瓦楞状自固化磷酸钙人工骨组和松质骨组,将体积相同的3组支架植入兔L5-6两侧横突间,植入后4,8,12周行大体、组织学观察。 结果与结论：体外实验显示,瓦楞状工程骨支架上滴注的细胞液能充分停留在表面,由于表面瓦楞状凹槽和液体的表面张力以及支架本身的无孔隙性使得细胞液不向培养皿流失,每个样本平均消化下来的正常形态的细胞数量高于其他3组(P < 0.05),吸光度值差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05)。体内实验显示,各时间点重组人骨形态发生蛋白2/瓦楞状自固化磷酸钙人工骨组的成骨量比瓦楞状自固化磷酸钙人工骨组明显多(P < 0.05),与松质骨组之间比较差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05)。结果证实,实验自制的瓦楞状工程骨支架的形状特点有利于种子细胞负载,从数量上保证了接种种子细胞的有效性,可促进支架大量成骨和段状骨缺损的愈合。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：生物材料;骨生物材料; 口腔生物材料; 纳米材料; 缓释材料; 材料相容性;组织工程全文链接：     

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of differentially demineralized cancellous bone scaffolds combined with human bone marrow stromal cells for tissue engineering

Mineralized and partially or fully demineralized biomaterials derived from bovine bone matrix were evaluated for their ability to support human bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) osteogenic differentiation in vitro and bone-forming capacity in vivo in order to assess their potential use in clinical tissue-engineering strategies. BMSCs were either seeded on bone-derived scaffolds and cocultured in direct cell-to-scaffold contact, allowing for the exposure of soluble and insoluble matrix-incorporated factors, or cocultured with the scaffold preparations in a transwell system, exposing them to soluble matrix-incorporated factors alone. Osteoblast-related markers, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteopontin (OP) mRNA expression were evaluated in BMSCs following 14 days of cocultivation in both systems. The data demonstrate that BMSCs from some donors express significantly higher levels of all osteoblast-related markers following cocultivation in direct cell-to-scaffold contact with mineralized scaffolds in comparison to fully demineralized preparations, while BMSCs from other donors display no significant differences in response to various scaffold preparations. In contrast, BMSCs cocultured independently with soluble matrix-incorporated factors derived from each scaffold preparation displayed significantly lower levels of ALP activity and BSP mRNA expression in comparison to untreated controls, while no significant differences were observed in marker levels between cells cocultured similarly with different biomaterial preparations. In addition, BMSCs were seeded directly on mineralized and partially or fully demineralized biomaterials and implanted in subcutaneous sites of athymic mice for 8 weeks to evaluate their in vivo bone-forming capacity. The ex vivo incorporation of BMSCs into all bone-derived scaffold preparations substantially increased the mean extent and frequency of samples containing de novo bone formation over similar nonseeded controls, as determined by histological and histomorphometrical analysis. No statistically significant differences were observed in the extent or frequency of bone formation between various scaffold preparations seeded with BMSCs from different donors. These results demonstrate that the in vivo osteoinductivity of bone-derived scaffolds can be modulated by ex vivo incorporated BMSCs and the extent of scaffold demineralization plays a significant role in influencing in vitro osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs depending on the coculture system and BMSC donor.     

Repair of canine mandibular bone defects with bone marrow stromal cells and porous beta-tricalcium phosphate

Tissue engineering has become a new approach for repairing bone defects. Previous studies have been limited to the use of slow-degradable scaffolds with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in mandibular reconstruction. In this study, a 30 mm long mandibular segmental defect was repaired by engineered bone graft using osteogenically induced autologous BMSCs seeded on porous beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP, n=5). The repair of defects was compared with those treated with beta-TCP alone (n=6) or with autologous mandibular segment (n=4). In the BMSCs/beta-TCP group, new bone formation was observed from 4 weeks post-operation, and bony-union was achieved after 32 weeks, which was detected by radiographic and histological examination. In contrast, minimal bone formation with almost fibrous connection was observed in the group treated with beta-TCP alone. More importantly, the engineered bone with BMSCs/beta-TCP achieved a satisfactory biomechanical property in terms of bending load strength, bending displacement, bending stress and Young's modulus at 32 weeks post-operation, which was very close to those of contralateral edentulous mandible and autograft bone (p>0.05). Based on these results, we conclude that engineered bone from osteogenically induced BMSCs and biodegradable beta-TCP can well repair the critical-sized segmental mandibular defects in canines.     

聚左旋乳酸/壳聚糖纳米纤维三维多孔支架复合骨髓间充质干细胞修复兔骨缺损**△

背景：骨髓间充质干细胞具有向多种间质细胞谱系分化的能力,且支架材料的性能对骨缺损的修复有重要影响。 目的：观察聚左旋乳酸/壳聚糖纳米纤维三维多孔支架复合骨髓间充质干细胞治疗骨缺损。 方法：对骨缺损模型兔分别采用空白植入、髂后上棘自体松质骨移植、聚左旋乳酸/壳聚糖纳米纤维多孔支架移植和复合了骨髓间充质干细胞的聚左旋乳酸/壳聚糖纳米纤维多孔支架移植修复缺损部位。 结果与结论：至移植12周,移植复合了骨髓间充质干细胞的聚左旋乳酸/壳聚糖纳米纤维多孔支架的实验兔的缺损处有骨组织生成,支架材料降解,已完成缺损修复,其修复情况接近松质骨组;髂后上棘自体松质骨移植的实验兔的缺损修复完好,新形成的骨组织较规则;只植入聚左旋乳酸/壳聚糖纳米纤维多孔支架的实验兔有少量骨组织形成,材料部分降解;空白植入的实验兔缺损处无新生骨组织生成,主要由纤维结缔组织填充。说明新型的生物支架材料聚左旋乳酸/壳聚糖纳米纤维三维多孔支架与来源于新西兰大白兔的骨髓间充质干细胞复合培养后,植入同种异体兔股骨髁缺损处,使骨缺损的修复速度加快,表现为较好的体内诱导成骨的作用。     

The performance of poly-epsilon-caprolactone scaffolds in a rabbit femur model with and without autologous stromal cells and BMP4

The ability of a cellular construct to guide and promote tissue repair strongly relies on three components, namely, cell, scaffold and growth factors. We aimed to investigate the osteopromotive properties of cellular constructs composed of poly-epsilon-caprolactone (PCL) and rabbit bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), or BMSCs engineered to express bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4). Highly porous biodegradable PCL scaffolds were obtained via phase inversion/salt leaching technique. BMSCs and transfected BMSCs were seeded within the scaffolds by using an alternate flow perfusion system and implanted into non-critical size defects in New Zealand rabbit femurs. In vivo biocompatibility, osteogenic and angiogenic effects induced by the presence of scaffolds were assessed by histology and histomorphometry of the femurs, retrieved 4 and 8 weeks after surgery. PCL without cells showed scarce bone formation at the scaffold-bone interface (29% bone/implant contact and 62% fibrous tissue/implant contact) and scarce PCL resorption (16%). Conversely, PCL seeded with autologous BMSCs stimulated new tissue formation into the macropores of the implant (20%) and neo-tissue vascularization. Finally, the BMP4-expressing BMSCs strongly favoured osteoinductivity of cellular constructs, as demonstrated by a more extensive bone/scaffold contact.     

成骨诱导的大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞与不同比例的β-TCP/PLLA支架材料复合的研究

种子细胞、支架材料及二者的相互作用是骨组织工程需要解决的三大问题。骨髓间充质干细胞（Mesenchymal stem cells，MSCs）是一种很有潜力的种子细胞，但挑选什么样的MSCs作为种子细胞目前研究尚少；而材料方面，研制力学性能和生物相容性均好的可降解多孔支架材料一直是研究者努力的方向。为了挑选处于最佳时期的种子细胞以及最适比例的pTCP／PLLA多孔支架材料，我们观察并检测了大鼠MSCs（rMSCs）成骨诱导后不同时期细胞的形态及功能，发现rMSCs成骨诱导后10d左右开始进入增殖期，14d左右进入基质合成期，20d左右进入矿化结节期（但三者不是截然分开的），从而根据实验目的挑选出能作为骨组织工程用的最佳细胞。将该时期的种子细胞与不同比例的pTCP／PLLA多孔支架材料复合后．通过荧光显微镜、扫描电镜以及MTT等方法初步比较了不同比例的材料对细胞生长状况的影响，结果显示不同比例的材料均具有一定的生物相容性，细胞生长良好。但以pTCP／PLLA=2：1的材料最好，对细胞的生长影响最小。     

Application of a polyelectrolyte complex coacervation method to improve seeding efficiency of bone marrow stromal cells in a 3D culture system

High seeding efficiency with homogenous distribution of limited cell sources such as bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) are of clinical relevance in scaffold-based tissue engineering. Therefore, considerable research efforts have been invested to ameliorate the seeding efficiency in 3D scaffolds. Preliminary data demonstrated that indeed BMSCs were viable and were able to proliferate in a model 3D scaffold, i.e. Cytomatrix scaffold. However, the eventual practical application of BMSCs in such 3D scaffolds is limited by the low seeding efficiency of the cells within the scaffold. Here, we demonstrated that the cell seeding efficiency of BMSCs in the Cytomatrix scaffold can be improved significantly (t-test, p<0.05) by means of macroencapsulating the scaffold via the complex coacervation of a methylated collagen and terpolymer. The thickness and density of the polyeletrolyte complex can be modulated by the contact time between the methylated collagen and terpolymer to balance between cell entrapment efficacy and mass transfer impedance imparted by the complex. Porcine BMSCs were macroencapsulated in Cytomatrix scaffolds using various polyelectrolyte contact time and cultured under both static and dynamic conditions. Throughout the range of contact time investigated, macroencapsulation did not affect the viability of the porcine BMSCs in dynamic culture. However, the viability of the cells under static cultures was compromised with longer polyelectrolyte contact time. Therefore, this proposed method of macroencapsulation enables customization to achieve enhanced seeding efficiency without mass transfer impedance for different culture configurations.     

仿生支架材料骨形态发生蛋白7多肽/壳聚糖/纳米羟基磷灰石/胶原的制备及其细胞相容性

背景：目前骨组织工程常用的支架材料主要有无机材料、有机高分子材料及天然衍生材料等,上述材料各有优缺点,为了充分发挥各类材料的优势,弥补其不足,目前多采用联合材料制备复合支架。 目的：制备新型仿生支架材料骨形态发生蛋白7多肽/壳聚糖/纳米羟基磷灰石/胶原,并观察其对骨髓间充质干细胞增殖、黏附及分化的影响。 方法：制备壳聚糖/纳米羟基磷灰石/胶原复合支架材料,扫描电镜观察支架材料表面微观形貌;采用真空吸附法将骨形态发生蛋白7多肽与支架材料复合,高效液相色谱仪检测骨形态发生蛋白7多肽在体外的释放规律;将骨髓间充质干细胞接种到复合骨形态发生蛋白7多肽的仿生支架材料上,以未复合多肽的支架材料作为对照,检测支架材料表面细胞增殖、黏附率、生长形态及碱性磷酸酶活性。 结果与结论：壳聚糖/纳米羟基磷灰石/胶原支架材料呈多孔状,孔径10~100 µm;骨形态发生蛋白7多肽可以从支架材料中缓慢释出;在复合多肽的仿生支架材料表面,骨髓间充质干细胞的黏附及向成骨细胞方向分化能力均明显强于对照组(P < 0.05),而增殖能力与对照组差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05)。说明新型仿生支架材料骨形态发生蛋白7多肽/壳聚糖/纳米羟基磷灰石/胶原是一种理想的骨组织工程支架材料,具有良好的细胞相容性。