明胶微冰胶支架有利于脂肪来源间充质干细胞体外干性维持并提高其体内应用价值

目的研究人脂肪来源间充质干细胞(ADSCs)与明胶微冰胶材料体外联合培养时,材料是否能维持间充质干细胞的生物学特性。方法 ADSCs种植于明胶微冰胶材料后进行Calcein-AM和PI活细胞染色检测细胞活力,细胞滴度蓝法检测细胞增殖能力,定量PCR检测干性基因OCT4、Nanog、SOX2表达情况,以及在成脂成骨诱导过程比较ADSCs在二维环境和种植于明胶微冰胶材料后的分化潜能。结果 ADSCs在三维明胶微冰胶支架材料中能保持较高活性,增殖能力不受影响,干性基因表达上调,成脂成骨分化相关基因表达水平比二维诱导环境低。结论明胶微冰胶可以为ADSCs提供一个较二维培养更好的微环境,有利于ADSCs体外干性维持,从而在干细胞移植法治疗相关疾病时以非侵入性的细胞传递方式发挥更长期的应用价值。     

脂肪源干细胞与聚丙烯网片的生物相容性研究

目的观察脂肪源干细胞(ADSCs)与聚丙烯网片的生物相容性。方法制备兔ADSCs悬液。取聚丙烯网片浸提液培养ADSCs。用四甲基偶氮唑盐(MTT)法检测细胞活力,评价支架细胞毒性。ADSCs传代扩增后,接种到聚丙烯网片支架上,体外培养1周。用扫描电子显微镜观察细胞在支架上黏附生长及增殖。结果 ADSCs在聚丙烯网片浸提液中可保持较高的增殖率(RGR)(24、48、72 h实验组细胞RGR分别为97%、96%、101%,平均RGR为103.5%),与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(χ2=17.45,P0.05),聚丙烯网片浸提液无细胞毒性。脂肪干细胞种植于两种支架材料后生长速度快,扫描电子显微镜观察可见脂肪干细胞呈球型,并伸展形成伪足,贴附于支架材料,细胞间相互连接成团。结论聚丙烯网片支架与ADSCs具有良好的生物相容性,无细胞毒性,可作为脂肪组织工程较理想的生物支架材料。     

三维支架材料与脂肪干细胞的生物相容性

背景：构建组织工程化气管需要适合的三维支架。 目的：观察脂肪干细胞与聚乳酸-乙醇酸共聚物及聚三亚甲基碳酸酯共聚物支架的生物相容性。 方法：采用组织块法原代分离培养SD大鼠脂肪干细胞,行流式细胞术及多向分化能力鉴定。将脂肪干细胞分别种植于聚乳酸-乙醇酸共聚物和聚乳酸-乙醇酸-三亚甲基碳酸酯共聚物支架中,扫描电镜观察细胞与支架的生物相容性。 结果与结论：脂肪干细胞种植于两种支架材料后生长速度快,扫描电镜观察可见脂肪干细胞呈球型,并伸展形成伪足,贴附于支架材料,细胞间相互连接成团。说明聚乳酸-乙醇酸共聚物与聚三亚甲基碳酸酯共聚物支架均具有良好的生物相容性,无细胞毒性,其多孔的三维立体状结构适合脂肪干细胞黏附生长。     

滑膜间充质干细胞与软骨细胞三维条件下混合培养向软骨细胞的分化

背景：软骨细胞通过自分泌及旁分泌的作用可以为滑膜间充质干细胞向软骨细胞分化提供所需的生长因子及微环境,三维条件下更有利于细胞的黏附增殖与分化。目的：观察滑膜间充质干细胞与软骨细胞混合培养于壳聚糖/Ⅰ型胶原复合支架材料中向成软骨细胞分化的能力。方法：取SD大鼠滑膜组织及软骨组织,用酶消化法获得滑膜间充质干细胞及软骨细胞分别进行培养。取第3代滑膜间充质干细胞及第2代软骨细胞,将二者以1∶2的比例混合培养负载于壳聚糖/Ⅰ型胶原复合支架材料21 d,进行激光共聚焦扫描及免疫组织化学检测。结果与结论：培养72 h后,扫描电镜观察细胞黏附于支架材料表面,并可见细胞分泌大量基质成分。培养     21 d后,激光共聚焦扫描可见细胞在支架表面分布均匀,逐层扫描后细胞逐渐减少。免疫组织化学检测可见基质能被Ⅱ型胶原染色,细胞染色呈现棕黄色。结果表明壳聚糖/Ⅰ型胶原复合支架材料提供三维生长空间,利用软骨细胞分泌生长因子及细胞间的相互作用可以诱导滑膜间充质干细胞向软骨细胞分化。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：     

脂肪干细胞与三维支架体内外培养构建的组织工程化气管

背景：气管替代物包括自体组织皮瓣、气管同种异体移植、人工材料支架和无活力组织移植等,但均因为相关严重并发症和获取困难等因素使临床应用遇到很大困难。 目的：利用脂肪干细胞与聚乳酸-乙醇酸共聚物(poly-D,L-lactio-co-glycolic acid,PLGA)、聚三亚甲基碳酸酯(poly(trimethylenecarbonate),PTMC)共聚物支架构建组织工程化气管支架模型。 方法：组织块法原代分离培养SD大鼠脂肪干细胞,脂肪干细胞行流式细胞术及多向分化能力鉴定,分别种植于PLGA-PTMC支架,经体内体外培养后行免疫组织化学及扫描电镜观察。 结果与结论：大鼠脂肪干细胞接种于支架后,呈球形,伸展出伪足,均匀贴附PLGA-PTMC支架,细胞间相互融合成团;经体内培养后,新生毛细血管丰富。PLGA-PTMC支架具有良好的生物相容性,无细胞毒性,其多孔的三维立体状结构适合脂肪干细胞黏附生长。经体内、体外培养得到组织工程化气管模型,新生血管丰富,可以作为有效的气管替代物。     

大鼠胰腺去细胞天然支架生物相容性的鉴定

目的通过离体灌注化学去垢剂的方法制备大鼠胰腺去细胞天然生物支架,并对支架的完整性、生物相容性进行检验。方法健康成年SD大鼠30只,分别经胆管与血管两条途径灌注十二烷基硫酸钠和曲亚通X-100等药品洗脱,获取胰腺去细胞生物支架。通过HE染色、扫描电子显微镜和透射电子显微镜等观察细胞残留于去细胞支架的生物学特性,分光光度计法鉴定残留去垢剂量,酶联免疫吸附剂测定法测定残留支架蛋白含量及生长因子,并用腹壁与皮下包埋实验检验其炎症反应,MTT法测定支架细胞毒性,内皮细胞共培养测定支架生物相容性。结果 HE染色、扫描电子显微镜和透射电子显微镜观察均表明去细胞支架无细胞残留,细胞外支架连续性完好,脉管支架保存完整;药物残留小于规定标准;细胞外支架生长因子及支架蛋白存留量等指标上血管组均优于胆管组;腹壁与皮下包埋实验显示,去细胞支架炎性反应较对照组明显减轻;MTT法显示无细胞毒性;内皮细胞共培养有黏附趋势。结论使用两种灌注法制备胰腺去细胞生物支架,均可将细胞去除彻底,支架生物相容性好。但就血管组细胞外支架保留完整性,生长因子保留更多,则血管灌注途径优于胆管灌注途径。     

基于丝素/胶原/羟基磷灰石仿生骨材料的多维结构及其性能

目的 体外构建丝素蛋白（silk fibroin,SF）、I型胶原(type I collagen,Col-I)和羟基磷灰石(hydroxyapatite, HA)共混体系制备二维复合膜和三维仿生支架,研究其理化性质和生物相容性,探讨其在组织工程支架材料中应用的可行性。方法 通过在细胞培养小室底部共混SF/Col-I/HA以及低温3D打印结合真空冷冻干燥法制备二维复合膜及三维支架。通过机械性能测试、电子显微镜和Micro-CT检测材料的理化性质,检测细胞的增殖评估其生物相容性。结果 通过共混和低温3D打印获得稳定的二维复合膜及三维多孔结构支架;力学性能具有较好的一致性,孔径、吸水率、孔隙率和弹性模量均符合构建组织工程骨的要求;支架为网格状的白色立方体,内部孔隙连通性较好; HA均匀分布在复合膜中,细胞黏附在复合膜上,呈扁平状;细胞分布在支架孔壁周围,呈梭形状,生长及增殖良好。结论 利用SF/Col-I/HA共混体系成功制备复合膜及三维支架,具有较好的孔连通性与孔结构,有利于细胞和组织的生长以及营养输送,其理化性能以及生物相容性符合骨组织工程生物材料的要求。     

体外PLGA三维支架上诱导小鼠骨髓干细胞向胰岛样细胞分化

目的 研究聚乳酸-羟基乙酸（PLGA）三维支架在骨髓干细胞向胰岛样细胞诱导分化中的作用.方法 分别在平面和PLGA三维支架上对小鼠骨髓干细胞向胰岛样细胞进行诱导分化,对2组诱导分化的胰岛样细胞进行形态学观察和功能检测,对照组为小鼠胰岛细胞.结果 2组诱导分化的胰岛样细胞均呈双硫腙（DTZ）染色阳性,胰岛素、C肽双染阳性,胰高血糖素阳性和生长抑素阳性;在高糖刺激下,PLGA三维支架组的胰岛素分泌量较平面组显著提高（P＜0.01）.电镜提示诱导分化的胰岛样细胞具有类似β细胞的超微结构且与支架有良好的相容性.结论 PLGA三维支架有益于提高骨髓干细胞诱导分化的胰岛样细胞功能,且与胰岛样细胞具有良好的相容性.     

小鼠附睾脂肪干细胞的分离培养及鉴定

背景：脂肪干细胞作为一种新的成体干细胞,具有来源丰富、取材容易、增殖能力强等优点,受到人们越来越多地关注。 目的：体外分离培养小鼠附睾脂肪组织中的脂肪干细胞,并鉴定其生物学特性。 方法：无菌切取小鼠附睾处脂肪组织,采用胶原酶进行消化,利用1次消化多次收集与差速贴壁法分离纯化脂肪干细胞。倒置显微镜及透射电子显微镜观察脂肪干细胞的形态。绘制脂肪干细胞的生长曲线。流式细胞术检测脂肪干细胞的免疫表型。加入细胞诱导剂对脂肪干细胞进行成骨及成脂肪的诱导分化。扫描电子显微镜观察脂肪干细胞与胶原支架材料的相容性。 结果与结论：倒置显微镜下可见脂肪干细胞呈长梭形或成纤维细胞样,密集排列成漩涡状或成束状交织,可在体外稳定传至第9代。透射电子显微镜下可见脂肪干细胞表面有丰富的微绒毛结构,细胞核体积大,细胞质内可见线粒体、粗面内质网等细胞器。脂肪干细胞表达CD44、CD29,不表达CD34。经成脂肪诱导剂诱导后,多数脂肪干细胞胞质内可见小脂滴,油红O染色可将小脂滴染成红色。经成骨诱导剂诱导后,在脂肪干细胞生长密集区域内的细胞结构模糊、细胞间界限不清楚。经茜素红染色后,可见较多大小不一的折光率较强颗粒状结构沉积。扫描电子显微镜观察到脂肪干细胞呈铺展状生长于胶原支架材料上。结果表明该方法分离出的脂肪干细胞能在体外扩增并稳定传代,在一定诱导条件下,能够分化为成骨细胞和脂肪细胞并且与胶原支架具有良好的相容性。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：干细胞;骨髓干细胞;造血干细胞;脂肪干细胞;肿瘤干细胞;胚胎干细胞;脐带脐血干细胞;干细胞诱导;干细胞分化;组织工程全文链接：     

纳米仿生复合支架的生物相容性

背景：纳米材料构建具有生物活性的组织工程骨,可以很好的模仿体内细胞外基质的结构,有利于细胞黏附、生长。 目的：评价新型仿生壳聚糖/胶原纳米纤维支架与SD大鼠骨髓基质干细胞的体外相容性。 方法：分离培养SD大鼠骨髓基质干细胞,流式细胞分析法对细胞表面抗原进行检测;相差显微镜观察细胞形态。聚电解质共凝聚技术制作仿生壳聚糖/胶原纳米纤维支架,取生长良好的P3代,与仿生壳聚糖/胶原纳米纤维支架体外联合诱导培养,通过细胞贴壁率、生长曲线、细胞活力、周期、细胞Ⅰ型胶原染色、扫描电镜观察综合评价材料与细胞的相容性。 结果与结论：骨髓基质干细胞可在体外分离扩增,表达CD29、CD44和CD106,不表达CD34和CD45,细胞形态为长梭形,仿生壳聚糖/胶原纳米纤维平均孔径为150 μm,与骨髓基质干细胞有较好的黏附性。提示骨髓基质干细胞可在体外长期、稳定培养;是理想的组织工程种子细胞;仿生壳聚糖/胶原纳米纤维与骨髓基质干细胞有良好的相容性,可用来做组织工程生物材料。     

脱细胞异体真皮基质与人脂肪干细胞的生物相容性

背景：脱细胞异体真皮基质具有优良的生物相容性和组织细胞诱导功能。 目的：评价人脂肪干细胞与脱细胞异体真皮基质的生物相容性。 方法：取健康成年人吸脂术后的脂肪组织分离脂肪干细胞,并行原代与传代培养,传至第3代,将细胞与脱细胞异体真皮基质联合体外培养3,7 d,倒置相差显微镜和扫描电镜观察细胞在支架材料上的黏附、生长及增殖情况,并计算细胞在材料上的黏附率;XTT比色法检测细胞的生长增殖情况。 结果与结论：脂肪干细胞在支架材料上分布均匀,24 h内细胞开始伸展、黏附,二三天完全伸展变形,以梭形为主,呈网状排列;随着培养时间延长,支架上的细胞逐渐增多;人脂肪干细胞细胞与脱细胞异体真皮基质混合培养后平均黏附率为95.03%,并保持正常的生长增殖速度,表明支架对细胞具有良好的黏附性;脱细胞异体真皮基质材料与人脂肪干细胞复合后相容性良好。     

Uniformly-aligned gelatin/polycaprolactone fibers promote proliferation in adipose-derived stem cells and have distinct effects on cardiac cell differentiation

Cardiac tissue engineering is a promising technique to regenerate cardiac tissue and treat cardiovascular disease. Here we applied a modified method to generate ultrafine uniformly-aligned composite gelatin/polycaprolactone fibers that mimic functional heart tissue. We tested the physical properties of these fibers and analyzed how these composite fibrous scaffolds affected growth and cardiac lineage differentiation in rat adipose-derived stem cells (rADSCs). We found that uniformly aligned composite fiber scaffolds had an anisotropic arrangement, functional mechanical properties, and strong hydrophilicity. The anisotropic scaffolds improved cell attachment, viability, and proliferative capacity of ADSCs over randomly-aligned scaffolds. Furthermore, uniformly aligned composite fiber scaffolds increased the efficiency of cardiomyogenic differentiation, but might reduce the efficiency of cardiac conduction system cell differentiation in ADSCs compared to randomly-oriented scaffolds and tissue culture polystyrene. However, the randomly-oriented composite scaffolds showed no obviously facilitated effects over tissue culture polystyrene on the two cells’ differentiation process. The above results indicate that the scaffold fiber alignment has a greater effect on cell differentiation than the composition of the scaffold. Together, the uniformly-aligned composite fibers displayed excellent physical and biocompatible properties, promoted ADSC proliferation, and played distinct roles in the differentiation of cardiomyogenic cells and cardiac conduction system cells from ADSCs. These results provide new insight for the application of anisotropic fibrous scaffolds in cardiac tissue engineering for both in vitro and in vivo research.     

碳纤维-聚乳酸-聚乙二醇复合支架的制备及性能检测

背景：长期实验发现聚乳酸-聚乙二醇支架的力学性能及细胞相容性能较差,因此多数研究向支架中加入其他材料,以提高其生物活性及力学性能。 目的：制备改性碳纤维-聚乳酸-聚乙二醇支架,并检测其性能。 方法：采用溶液潘注/粒子沥滤法制备改性碳纤维-聚乳酸-聚乙二醇复合支架。对比改性碳纤维-聚乳酸-聚乙二醇复合支架与聚乳酸-聚乙二醇支架的超微结构、孔隙率、吸水性、降解率及力学性能。将改性碳纤维-聚乳酸-聚乙二醇复合支架与聚乳酸-聚乙二醇支架分别与SD大鼠成骨细胞共培养,12 h后采用沉淀法检测细胞黏附率;培养1,3,5,7,9 d后,采用 MTT 法检测细胞增殖。 结果与结论：聚乳酸-聚乙二醇支架材料表面孔结构分布均匀,孔径为(404.0±10.5) µm;改性碳纤维-聚乳酸-聚乙二醇支架碳纤维表面见大量纵向沟槽,表面孔结构分布均匀,孔径为(433.0±3.0) µm,两组支架孔径比较差异有显著性意义(P < 0.05)。改性碳纤维-聚乳酸-聚乙二醇支架的孔隙率、吸水性、弹性模量和抗压强度、降解率、细胞黏附率与增殖率均高于聚乳酸-聚乙二醇支架(P < 0.05)。表明改性碳纤维的加入改善了聚乳酸-聚乙二醇复合支架的力学性能及细胞相容性。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     

Microfabrication of complex porous tissue engineering scaffolds using 3D projection stereolithography

The success of tissue engineering will rely on the ability to generate complex, cell seeded three-dimensional (3D) structures. Therefore, methods that can be used to precisely engineer the architecture and topography of scaffolding materials will represent a critical aspect of functional tissue engineering. Previous approaches for 3D scaffold fabrication based on top-down and process driven methods are often not adequate to produce complex structures due to the lack of control on scaffold architecture, porosity, and cellular interactions. The proposed projection stereolithography (PSL) platform can be used to design intricate 3D tissue scaffolds that can be engineered to mimic the microarchitecture of tissues, based on computer aided design (CAD). The PSL system was developed, programmed and optimized to fabricate 3D scaffolds using gelatin methacrylate (GelMA). Variation of the structure and prepolymer concentration enabled tailoring the mechanical properties of the scaffolds. A dynamic cell seeding method was utilized to improve the coverage of the scaffold throughout its thickness. The results demonstrated that the interconnectivity of pores allowed for uniform human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) distribution and proliferation in the scaffolds, leading to high cell density and confluency at the end of the culture period. Moreover, immunohistochemistry results showed that cells seeded on the scaffold maintained their endothelial phenotype, demonstrating the biological functionality of the microfabricated GelMA scaffolds.     

Effect of different particles on cell proliferation in polymer scaffolds using a solvent-casting and particulate leaching technique

Solvent-casting and particulate leaching are widely used in the manufacturing of porous polymer scaffolds. Salt is the most commonly used particulate because it is easily available and very easy to handle. Gelatin particles are another candidate for this method because they are known as a material that enhances cell attachment and proliferation. In this study, we compared the biocompatibility of the two scaffolds made from either salt (salt scaffold) or gelatin particles (gelatin scaffold). Sieved particles of salt and gelatin (particle size ranging 100-180 um) were dispersed in a poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)/chloroform solution and cast in a Teflon container. The solvent was allowed to evaporate and residual amounts were removed by vacuum drying. The particles were allowed to leach out by immersion in warm water (40 degrees C). Cultured chondrocytes (from knee cartilage) and smooth muscle cells (from bladder) were seeded on each scaffolds (5 x 10(6)/cm2) and cultured for 3 weeks, and their proliferation was compared using hematoxylin and eosin staining. These results demonstrated that the gelatin scaffold showed better attachment of cells at the initial stage, and both cell types showed much better proliferation of cells during 3 months. The better performance of a gelatin scaffold also contributed to the better connection of pores at the same porosity.     

低温快速成型亲水改性复合人工骨支架的性能测定

背景：低温快速成型技术具有支架成型可控性、保持材料生物学活性和易于实现支架材料的三维多孔立体结构等优势,被迅速用于骨组织工程支架的制备。 目的：采用低温快速成型制备聚乙二醇改性聚乳酸-乙醇酸/纳米羟基磷灰石复合支架,并检测其性能。 方法：采用低温快速成型设备分别制备聚乙二醇改性聚乳酸-乙醇酸/纳米羟基磷灰石与聚乳酸-乙醇酸/纳米羟基磷灰石复合支架,通过电镜观察支架超微结构,以介质(乙醇)浸泡法测定支架孔隙率,采用电子试验机检测支架力学性能;将两种支架材料分别与大鼠成骨细胞共培养,培养12 h采用沉淀法检测细胞黏附率,培养1,3,5,7,9,12 d采用CCK-8法检测细胞增殖。 结果与结论：两组支架孔径均在理想范围内并具有较高孔隙率,但聚乙二醇改性聚乳酸-乙醇酸/纳米羟基磷灰石支架的孔径波动范围大,孔径均值较聚乳酸-乙醇酸/纳米羟基磷灰石支架小且部分有闭塞现象。聚乙二醇改性聚乳酸-乙醇酸/纳米羟基磷灰石支架的细胞黏附率及表面细胞增殖活性高于聚乳酸-乙醇酸/纳米羟基磷灰石支架(P < 0.05),力学性能低于聚乳酸-乙醇酸/纳米羟基磷灰石支架(P < 0.05)。表明聚乙二醇改性聚乳酸-乙醇酸/纳米羟基磷灰石复合支架具有良好的细胞相容性。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：     

Two-dimensional and three-dimensional viability measurements of adult stem cells with optical coherence phase microscopy

Cell viability assays are essential tools for cell biology. They assess healthy cells in a sample and enable the quantification of cellular responses to reagents of interest. Noninvasive and label-free assays are desirable in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell culture to facilitate time-course viability studies. Cellular micromotion, emanating from cell to substrate distance variations, has been demonstrated as a marker of cell viability with electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS). In this study we investigated if optical coherence phase microscopy (OCPM) was able to report phase fluctuations of adult stem cells in 2D and 3D that could be associated with cellular micromotion. An OCPM has been developed around a Thorlabs engine (λo = 930 nm) and integrated in an inverted microscope with a custom scanning head. Human adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs, Invitrogen) were cultured in Mesenpro RS medium and seeded either on ECIS arrays, 2D cell culture dishes, or in 3D highly porous microplotted polymeric scaffolds. ADSC micromotion was confirmed by ECIS analysis. Live and fixed ADSCs were then investigated in 2D and 3D with OCPM. Significant differences were found in phase fluctuations between the different conditions. This study indicated that OCPM could potentially assess cell vitality in 2D and in 3D microstructures.     

In vitro characterization of chitosan-gelatin scaffolds for tissue engineering

Recently, chitosan–gelatin scaffolds have gained much attention in various tissue engineering applications. However, the underlying cell–matrix interactions remain unclear in addition to the scaffold degradation and mechanical characteristics. In this study, we evaluated (i) the degradation kinetics of chitosan and chitosan–gelatin scaffolds in the presence of 10 mg/L of lysozyme for dimensional stability, weight loss, and pH changes for a period of 2 months, (ii) tensile and compressive properties of films and scaffolds in wet state at 37 °C, (iii) viability of fibroblasts and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) on scaffolds, and (iv) the alteration in cell spreading characteristics, cytoskeletal actin distribution, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) distribution and PECAM-1 expression of HUVECs under static and 4.5, 8.5, 13 and 18 dyn/cm² shear stress conditions. Degradation results showed that gelatin-containing chitosan scaffolds had faster degradation rate and significant loss of material than chitosan. Mechanical properties of chitosan are affected by the addition of gelatin although there was no clear trend. Three-dimensional chitosan and chitosan–gelatin scaffolds supported fibroblast viability equally. However, chitosan membranes decreased cell-spreading area, disrupted F-actin and localized FAK in the nucleus of HUVECs. Importantly, the lowest shear stress tested (4.5 dyn/cm²) for 3 h washed away cells on chitosan suggesting weak cell adhesion. In the blends, effect of gelatin was dominant; actin and FAK distribution were comparable to gelatin in static culture. However, at higher shear stresses, presence of chitosan inhibited shear-induced increase in cell spreading and weakened cell adhesive strength. No significant differences were observed in PECAM-1 expression. In summary, these results showed significant influence of blending gelatin with chitosan on scaffold properties and cellular behavior.     

Scaffold fabrication by indirect three-dimensional printing

Three-dimensional printing (3DP) has been employed to fabricate porous scaffolds by inkjet printing liquid binder droplets onto particulate matter. Direct 3DP, where the final scaffold materials are utilized during the actual 3DP process, imposes several limitations on the final scaffold structure. This study describes an indirect 3DP protocol, where molds are printed and the final materials are cast into the mold cavity to overcome the limitations of the direct technique. To evaluate the resolution available in this technique, scaffolds with villi features (500 microm diameter, 1 mm height) were produced by solvent casting into plaster molds, followed by particulate leaching. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed highly open, well interconnected, uniform pore architecture ( approximately 100-150 microm). The ability of these scaffolds to support intestinal epithelial cell (IEC6) culture was investigated in vitro. IEC6 cells attached to scaffolds uniformly in vitro and grew preferentially in the villi region. To exploit the freeform nature of this technique with large pore size, anatomically shaped zygoma scaffolds with 300-500 microm interconnected pores were produced and characterized. Indirect 3DP provides an alternative method to complement other direct solid freeform fabrication methods.