In vitro chondrocyte behavior on porous biodegradable poly (e-caprolactone)/polyglycolic acid scaffolds for articular chondrocyte adhesion and proliferation

In this study, poly(e-caprolactone)/polyglycolic acid (PCL/PGA) scaffolds for repairing articular cartilage were fabricated via solid-state cryomilling along with compression molding and porogen leaching. Four distinct scaffolds were fabricated using this approach by four independent cryomilling times. These scaffolds were assessed for their suitability to promote articular cartilage regeneration with in vitro chondrocyte cell culture studies. The scaffolds were characterized for pore size, porosity, swelling ratio, compressive, and thermal properties. Cryomilling time proved to significantly affect the physical, mechanical, and morphological properties of the scaffolds. In vitro bovine chondrocyte culture was performed dynamically for 1, 7, 14, 28, and 35 days. Chondrocyte viability and adhesion were tested using MTT assay and scanning electron microscopy micrographs. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and DNA assays were performed to investigate the extracellular matrix (ECM) formation and cell proliferation, respectively. PCL/PGA scaffolds demonstrated high porosity for all scaffold types. Morphological analysis and poly(ethylene oxide) continuity demonstrated the existence of a co-continuous network of interconnected pores with pore sizes appropriate for tissue engineering and chondrocyte ingrowth. While mean pore size decreased, water uptake and compressive properties increased with increasing cryomilling times. Compressive modulus of 12, 30, and 60 min scaffolds matched the compressive modulus of human articular cartilage. Viable cells increased besides increase in cell proliferation and ECM formation with progress in culture period. Chondrocytes exhibited spherical morphology on all scaffold types. The pore size of the scaffold affected chondrocyte adhesion, proliferation, and GAG secretion. The results indicated that the 12 min scaffolds delivered promising results for applications in articular cartilage repair.     

The in vivo and in vitro degradation of poly(glycolic acid) suture material as a function of applied strain

The in vivo and in vitro stability of a degradable suture material, poly(glycolic acid) has been shown to be dependent on the magnitude of a pre-imposed strain. The degradation, monitored by changes in the tensile load at break, was considerably enhanced by pre-straining the material to one half of the normal extension at break, using a novel implantable device.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(glycolic acid‐alt‐6‐aminohexanoic acid) and Poly(glycolic acid‐alt‐11‐aminoundecanoic acid)

Summary: Poly(ester amide)s derived from glycolic acid and ω‐amino acid units, such as aminohexanoic or aminoundecanoic acids, are synthesized by a thermal polycondensation reaction that involves the formation of metal halide salts. Polymerization kinetics of different metal salts are studied by isothermal and nonisothermal methods and the corresponding parameters compared. The condensation reaction begins in the solid state for the aminohexanoic derivatives, although a rapid liquefaction is observed. On the other hand, the melting temperatures of the sodium and the potassium chloroacetylaminoundecanoate salts are lower than the reaction temperatures, and consequently polycondensation proceeds fully in the liquefied state. These polymers are characterized by an alternate disposition of ester and amide groups and can be obtained with high molecular weights and short polymerization times. Thermal properties (glass transition and melting temperatures) of the two new polymers are determined and compared. Thermal stability is also investigated; the results indicated that decomposition temperatures were always far from both reaction and polymer fusion temperatures.

DSC heating scans performed at different rates for potassium chloroacetylaminoundecanote.     

人脂肪基质干细胞复合藻酸钙体外构建工程软骨的实验研究

目的 观察人脂肪基质干细胞(hADSC)复合藻酸钙凝胶体外构建工程软骨的可行性.方法 取临床整形外科超声乳化的成人脂肪组织溶液,经消化、分离、培养得到hADSC,经成软骨诱导培养后与藻酸钠凝胶复合,使细胞终浓度为5×10<'6>/mL,然后滴入浓度200mmol/L CaCl<,2>溶液中,固化15min形成藻酸钙凝珠...     

Development of arginine-glycine-aspartate-immobilized 3D printed poly(propylene fumarate) scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering

Abstract

Poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) has known to be a good candidate material for cartilage tissue regeneration because of its excellent mechanical properties during its degradation processes. Here, we describe the potential application of PPF-based materials as 3D printing bioinks to create macroporous cell scaffolds using micro-stereolithography. To improve cell-matrix interaction of seeded human chondrocytes within the PPF-based 3D scaffolds, we immobilized arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD) peptide onto the PPF scaffolds. We also evaluated various cellular behaviors of the seeded chondrocytes using MTS assay, microscopic and histological analyses. The results indicated that PPF-based biocompatible scaffolds with immobilized RGD peptide could effectively support initial adhesion and proliferation of human chondrocytes. Such a 3D bio-printable scaffold can offer an opportunity to promote cartilage tissue regeneration.     

A dual-application poly (dl-lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA)-chitosan composite scaffold for potential use in bone tissue engineering

The development of patient-friendly alternatives to bone-graft procedures is the driving force for new frontiers in bone tissue engineering. Poly (dl-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and chitosan are well-studied and easy-to-process polymers from which scaffolds can be fabricated. In this study, a novel dual-application scaffold system was formulated from porous PLGA and protein-loaded PLGA/chitosan microspheres. Physicochemical and in vitro protein release attributes were established. The therapeutic relevance, cytocompatibility with primary human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and osteogenic properties were tested. There was a significant reduction in burst release from the composite PLGA/chitosan microspheres compared with PLGA alone. Scaffolds sintered from porous microspheres at 37 °C were significantly stronger than the PLGA control, with compressive strengths of 0.846 ± 0.272 MPa and 0.406 ± 0.265 MPa, respectively (p < 0.05). The formulation also sintered at 37 °C following injection through a needle, demonstrating its injectable potential. The scaffolds demonstrated cytocompatibility, with increased cell numbers observed over an 8-day study period. Von Kossa and immunostaining of the hMSC-scaffolds confirmed their osteogenic potential with the ability to sinter at 37 °C in situ.     

Application of sodium triple‐quantum coherence NMR spectroscopy for the study of growth dynamics in cartilage tissue engineering

We studied the tissue growth dynamics of tissue‐engineered cartilage at an early growth stage after cell seeding for four weeks using sodium triple‐quantum coherence NMR spectroscopy. The following tissue‐engineering constructs were studied: 1) bovine chondrocytes cultured in alginate beads; 2) bovine chondrocytes cultured as pellets (scaffold‐free chondrocyte pellets); and 3) human marrow stromal cells (HMSCs) seeded in collagen/chitosan based biomimetic scaffolds. We found that the sodium triple‐quantum coherence spectroscopy could differentiate between different tissue‐engineered constructs and native tissues based on the fast and slow components of relaxation rate as well as on the average quadrupolar coupling. Both fast (T_f) and slow (T_s) relaxation times were found to be longer in chondrocyte pellets and biomimetic scaffolds compared to chondrocytes suspended in alginate beads and human articular cartilage tissues. In all cases, it was found that relaxation rates and motion of sodium ions measured from correlation times were dependent on the amount of macromolecules, high cell density and anisotropy of the cartilage tissue‐engineered constructs. Average quadrupolar couplings were found to be lower in the engineered tissue compared to native tissue, presumably due to the lack of order in collagen accumulated in the engineered tissue. These results support the use of sodium triple‐quantum coherence spectroscopy as a tool to investigate anisotropy and growth dynamics of cartilage tissue‐engineered constructs in a simple and reliable way. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Semi-interpenetrating networks of hyaluronic acid in degradable PEG hydrogels for cartilage tissue engineering

Hydrolytically biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels offer a promising platform for chondrocyte encapsulation and tuning degradation for cartilage tissue engineering, but offer no bioactive cues to encapsulated cells. This study tests the hypothesis that a semi-interpenetrating network of entrapped hyaluronic acid (HA), a bioactive molecule that binds cell surface receptors on chondrocytes, and crosslinked degradable PEG improves matrix synthesis by encapsulated chondrocytes. Degradation was achieved by incorporating oligo (lactic acid) segments into the crosslinks. The effects of HA molecular weight (MW) (2.9 × 10⁴ and 2 × 10⁶ Da) and concentration (0.5 and 5 mg g⁻¹) were investigated. Bovine chondrocytes were encapsulated in semi-interpenetrating networks and cultured for 4 weeks. A steady release of HA was observed over the course of the study with 90% released by 4 weeks. Incorporation of HA led to significantly higher cell numbers throughout the culture period. After 8 days, HA increased collagen content per cell, increased aggrecan-positive cells, while decreasing the deposition of hypertrophic collagen X, but these effects were not sustained long term. Measuring total sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) and collagen content within the constructs and released to the culture medium after 4 weeks revealed that total matrix synthesis was elevated by high concentrations of HA, indicating that HA stimulated matrix production although this matrix was not retained within the hydrogels. Matrix-degrading enzymes were elevated in the low-, but not the high-MW HA. Overall, incorporating high-MW HA into degrading hydrogels increased chondrocyte number and sGAG and collagen production, warranting further investigations to improve retention of newly synthesized matrix molecules.     

Synthesis and properties of novel block copolymers containing poly(lactic-glycolic acid) and poly(ethyleneglycol) segments

A synthetic process for obtaining high-molecular-weight block copolymers containing poly(lacticglycolic acid) and poly(ethylene glycol) segments has been established. This process involves the reaction of poly(ethylene glycols) with phosgene, followed by polycondensation of the resulting ,ω-bis (chloroformates) with poly(lactic-glycolic acid) oligomers. The copolymers have been characterized for their molecular weight, solubility properties, water absorption and preliminarily thermal behaviour. All evidence points to the conclusion that the process described is a general one, enabling biodegradable polymers to be obtained tailor-made according to specific requirements.     

Growth of various cell types in the presence of lactic and glycolic acids: the adverse effect of glycolic acid released from PLAGA copolymer on keratinocyte proliferation

Poly(α-hydroxy-acid)s derived from lactic acid (LA) and glycolic acid (GA) are bioresorbable polymers that are currently used in human surgery and in pharmacology to make temporary therapeutic devices. Nowadays, increasing attention is paid to these polymers in the field of tissue engineering. However, the literature shows that a large number of factors can affect many of their properties and the responses of biological systems. As part of our investigation of the biocompatibility of degradable aliphatic polyesters, the effects of LA and GA on the proliferation of various cells under in vitro cell culture conditions were studied. The release of LA and GA from films made of a copolymer synthesized by the zinc lactate method and composed of 37.5% L-lactyl, 37.5% D-lactyl, and 25% glycolyl repeating units was first investigated over a period of 30 days under abiotic conditions in a cell culture medium in order to identify a range of acid concentrations consistent with releases to be expected in real cell cultures. Four cell lines, namely 3T3-J2, C3H10^1/2, A431, and HaCat, and three primary cell cultures, namely rat endothelial cells, rat smooth muscle cells, and human dermal fibroblasts, were then allowed to grow in the presence of LA and GA at various concentrations taken within the selected 10–1000 mg/cm³ range. Little or no effect was observed on the proliferation of all cells except human keratinocytes, whose growth was dramatically inhibited by GA at concentrations as low as 10 mg/cm³. The inhibiting effect of GA was confirmed by considering the growth of keratinocytes on films made of the same copolymer, in comparison with poly(DL-lactic acid) and polystyrene taken as references. This work shows that GA-releasing degradable matrices are not adapted to the culture of keratinocytes with the aim of making skin grafts.     

Synthesis of poly(glutamic acid)-tyramine hydrogel by enzyme-mediated gelation for controlled release of proteins

An in situ-formed hydrogel was synthesized by enzymatic cross-linking of poly(γ-glutamic acid)–tyramine conjugates (PGA–Tyr) using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The gelation time ranged from 25 s to 5 min was accomplished by tuning the concentration of HRP, H₂O₂/Tyr molar ratio and the degree of substitution (DS) of Tyr groups. The storage modulus (G′), cross-link density, and mesh size can be tailored by controlling the H₂O₂/Tyr ratio and DS. The rheological analysis indicated that the storage modulus (G′) can be tailored from approximately 40 to over 1100 Pa with the increasing H₂O₂/Tyr ratio and DS. The bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as model protein and encapsulated into the hydrogel during the enzyme-mediated cross-linking reaction. Controlled release of BSA in vitro from the PGA–Tyr hydrogel was obtained. The release rate and cumulative release amount of encapsulated BSA were manipulated by controlling the H₂O₂/Tyr ratio and DS. More than 90% of encapsulated BSA was released from the hydrogel with low cross-link density and lager mesh size in 60 h, while only 68% of BSA was released from the hydrogel with high cross-link density and small mesh size. The results indicated that the PGA–Tyr hydrogel is a promising material for the controlled release of therapeutic protein or peptides.     

壳聚糖-明胶/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸联合载药水凝胶的体外抗结核作用

文题释义：基质细胞衍生因子1：是一种参与免疫细胞活化、分化和迁移及伤口愈合、角膜上皮再生和组织修复等过程的趋化因子,能促进干细胞的生长和发育,参与调节成骨分化,可通过细胞归巢提高干细胞向病灶区的趋化作用。而基质细胞衍生因子1的失活会损害成骨细胞的发育和分化。此外,其还与血管生成密切相关。 异烟肼：具有较高的杀菌活性,是治疗结核病的一线药物。世卫组织建议将异烟肼作为结核病的标准疗法,用于潜伏性结核病感染者的预防治疗,与利福平、吡嗪酰胺和乙胺丁醇一起用于治疗活动性肺结核。异烟肼的活化形式与脂肪酸生物合成Ⅱ型系统中的NADH依赖型烯醇酰基载体蛋白还原酶异烟肼a结合,阻断细菌细胞壁关键成分支原体酸的合成。 背景：抗结核化疗是目前治疗骨关节结核的主要手段,然而全身给药难以维持病灶区的有效浓度,治疗效果欠佳。 目的：制备一种原位、长期释放抗结核药物且兼备促成骨作用的壳聚糖-明胶/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸联合载药水凝胶。 方法：将亲水性的抗结核药物异烟肼和疏水性的基质细胞衍生因子通过复乳法负载到聚乳酸-羟基乙酸中,制备聚乳酸-羟基乙酸载药微球,共混至壳聚糖-明胶水凝胶支架中,制备壳聚糖-明胶/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸联合载药水凝胶。检测聚乳酸-羟基乙酸载药微球、壳聚糖-明胶/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸联合载药水凝胶的体外释药与抗结核杆菌的能力。将成骨前体细胞MC3T3-E1分别接种于载药微球与联合载药水凝胶表面,CCK-8法检测细胞活力,碱性磷酸酶活性检测细胞的成骨性能。 结果与结论：①载药微球中异烟肼1 h内的突释约为23.3%,2 d内的释放率约为42.6%,随后进入缓释期,25 d后进入平台期;基质细胞衍生因子1在1 h内的累积释放率约为19.8%,2 d内的释放率约为44.7%,随后进入缓释期,25 d后进入平台期;联合载药水凝胶中异烟肼和基质细胞衍生因子1最初1 h的释放分别为8.3%和8.5%,第2天的累计释放率分别为15.2%和17.6%,远低于聚乳酸-羟基乙酸微球;②体外4周后,联合载药水凝胶的抑菌直径大于载药微球,抑菌率高于载药微球(P < 0.05);③联合载药水凝胶与载药微球均具有良好的细胞相容性,细胞活力均约为100%;④培养5,10 d后,联合载药水凝胶表面的细胞碱性磷酸酶活性与载药微球比较差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05);⑤结果表明,原位壳聚糖-明胶/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸联合载药水凝胶有作为治疗骨关节结核及其他骨关节感染的潜力。 ORCID: 0000-0003-4166-2492(张贺龙) 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     

Thermoresponsive UCST‐Type Behavior of Interpolymer Complexes of Poly(ethylene glycol) and Poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) Brushes with Poly(acrylic acid) in Isopropanol

Upper critical solution temperature (UCST)‐type thermoresponsive behavior of poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(acrylic acid) (PEG–PAA) and poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate)–poly(acrylic acid) (PPEGMA–PAA) interpolymer complexes has been observed in isopropanol. For these investigations, PPEGMA and PAA with various average molecular weights have been synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. It has been found that both the PEG and PPEGMA have lower cloud point temperatures (T _cp) than its mixed polymer solutions with PAA, whereas PAA does not show such behavior in the investigated temperature range. These findings indicate the reversible formation of interpolymer complexes with variable structure and composition in the solutions of the polymer mixtures in isopropanol. Increasing the ethylene glycol/acrylic acid molar ratio or the molecular weight of either the PAA or the H‐acceptor PEG component of the interpolymer complexes increases the UCST‐type cloud point temperatures of these interpolymer systems. The polymer–polymer interactions by hydrogen bonds between PAA and PEG or PPEGMA and the correlations between T _cp and structural parameters of the components revealed in the course of these investigations may be utilized for exploring well‐defined UCST‐type material systems for various applications.

     

骨形态发生蛋白质-4转染骨髓间充质干细胞复合双层聚乳酸羟基乙酸共聚物支架修复兔膝关节软骨缺损

目的:探讨骨形态发生蛋白质-4(BMP-4)基因转染骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSCs)复合聚乳酸羟基乙酸共聚物(PLGA)修复兔全层关节软骨缺损的效果。方法:取兔骨髓间充质干细胞,分离培养后,免疫组织化学鉴定BMSCs。采用电转法将pcDNA 3.1-BMP-4质粒导入BMSCs。转染成功后培养备用。制备直径为4 mm的双层PLGA支架。新西兰大白兔随机分成空白组、PLGA组、PLGA/BMSCs组、PLGA/BMP-4/BMSCs组4组,将双层PLGA支架置入兔双膝关节股骨内侧髁软骨缺损中。观察并记录术后动物膝关节活动情况。第8、16周时取膝关节置入组织行H-E染色,在扫描电镜下观察置入的PLO认新生组织。采用RT-PCR法定量检测4组修复软骨缺损处新生的软骨Ⅱ型胶原、SOX-9、蛋白聚糖基因的表达水平。结果:术后各组动物膝关节活动正常,未见炎症反应。第8、16周时PLGA/BMP--4/BMSCs组兔膝关节损伤修复优于其他3组。H-E染色结果可见PLGA/BMP-4/BMSCs组膝关节损伤修复效果优于其他3组。RT-PCR结果显示PLGA/BMP-4/BMSCs组兔置入的PLGA新生的软骨中Ⅱ型胶原、SOX--9、蛋白聚糖基因的表达水平显著高于其他各组。结论:BMP--4转染BMSCs后能够促进骨髓间充质干细胞分化成软骨细胞,双层PLGA支架置入有利于兔膝关节软骨缺损区的修复。     

载羟基喜树碱聚乳酸-羟基乙酸微球的制备及相关性能研究

目的制备一种载羟基喜树碱的聚乳酸-羟基乙酸(PLGA)缓释微球,并考察其相关性能。方法采用乳化-溶剂挥发法制备羟基喜树碱PLGA微球,用扫描电子显微镜观察载药微球表面形态,测定平均粒径及跨距,高效液相色谱检测包封率、载药率及体外释放情况,改良寇氏法计算小鼠半数致死量。结果制备的载药PLGA微球呈圆球形,表面光滑,无粘连,平均粒径30.8μm,跨距0.9,包封率为85.5%、载药率4.28%,在体外28 d累积释放药物81.4%。羟基喜树碱小鼠静脉注射的半数致死量为18.4 mg/kg,肌内注射半数致死量为71.3 mg/kg,而羟基喜树碱PLGA微球肌内注射的半数致死量为138.5 mg/kg。结论乳化-溶剂挥发法制备的羟基喜树碱PLGA微球粒径适宜,包封率、载药率高,缓释效果好,毒性低,具有潜在的临床应用价值。     

Fabrication and characterization of poly (ethylenimine) modified poly (l-lactic acid) nanofibrous scaffolds

Abstract

Bone tissue engineering aims to construct biological substitutes for repairing bone defects. Nanofibrous (NF) scaffolds are commonly utilized to mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) environment and promote tissue regeneration in tissue engineering process. Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) has attracted much attention in the field of tissue engineering because of its biocompatibility, biodegradability and so on. However, the intrinsic hydrophobicity and the lacking of active functional groups limit its practical application to some extent. In this study, poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) modified PLLA nanofibrous scaffolds were fabricated in a one step process by aminolysis combined with thermally induced phase separation technique for introducing more functional groups, PEI acting as the modifier. The morphology of PEI-modified PLLA scaffolds prepared under different experimental conditions was analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The suitable conditions to fabricate scaffolds with a homogeneous nanofibrous structure, good hydrophilicity and excellent mechanical properties were determined according to the results of SEM, water contact angle (WCA) and mechanical properties testing. Besides, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) were used to confirm the occurrence of the ammonolysis reaction between PLLA and PEI. The in vitro biomineralization study showed that the PEI-modified PLLA scaffolds had a greater ability to induce the formation of apatite in 1.5SBF than PLLA scaffolds, indicating that the bone-bioactivity of PLLA scaffolds was significantly improved after modification with PEI. Furthermore, cell culture assay revealed that MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts exhibited better proliferation performance on the PEI-modified PLLA scaffolds. All the results implied that the synthesized modified PLLA nanofibrous scaffolds may provide promising applications in bone tissue engineering.     

Differential degradation rates in vivo and in vitro of biocompatible poly(lactic acid) and poly(glycolic acid) homo- and co-polymers for a polymeric drug-delivery microchip

The biocompatibility and biodegradation rate of component materials are critical when designing a drug-delivery device. The degradation products and rate of degradation may play important roles in determining the local cellular response to the implanted material. In this study, we investigated the biocompatibility and relative biodegradation rates of PLA, PGA and two poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) polymers of 50 : 50 mol ratio, thin-film component materials of a drug-delivery microchip developed in our laboratory. The in vivo biocompatibility and both in vivo and in vitro degradation of these materials were characterized using several techniques. Total leukocyte concentration measurements showed normal acute and chronic inflammatory responses to the PGA and low-molecular-weight PLGA that resolved by 21 days, while the normal inflammatory responses to the PLA and high-molecular-weight PLGA were resolved but at slower rates up to 21 days. These results were paralleled by thickness measurements of fibrous capsules surrounding the implants, which showed greater maturation of the capsules for the more rapidly degrading materials after 21 days, but less mature capsules of sustained thicknesses for the PLA and high-molecular-weight PLGA up to 49 days. Gel-permeation chromatography of residual polymer samples confirmed classification of the materials as rapidly or slowly degrading. These materials showed thinner fibrous capsules than have been reported for other materials by our laboratory and have suitable biocompatibility and biodegradation rates for an implantable drug-delivery device.