Osteogenesis of adipose‐derived stem cells on polycaprolactone–β‐tricalcium phosphate scaffold fabricated via selective laser sintering and surface coating with collagen type I

The current study aimed to fabricate three‐dimensional (3D) polycaprolactone (PCL), polycaprolactone and β‐tricalcium phosphate (PCL–TCP) scaffolds via a selective laser‐sintering technique (SLS). Collagen type I was further coated onto PCL–TCP scaffolds to form PCL–TCP–COL scaffolds. The physical characters of these three scaffolds were analysed. The osteogenic potential of porcine adipose‐derived stem cells (pASCs) was compared among these three scaffolds in order to find an optimal scaffold for bone tissue engineering. The experimental results showed no significant differences in pore size and porosity among the three scaffolds; the porosity was ca. 75–77% and the pore size was ca. 300–500 µm in all three. The compressive modulus was increased from 6.77 ± 0.19 to 13.66 ± 0.19 MPa by adding 30% β‐TCP into a 70% PCL scaffold. No significant increase of mechanical strength was found by surface‐coating with collagen type I. Hydrophilicity and swelling ratios showed statistical elevation (p < 0.05) after collagen type I was coated onto the PCL–TCP scaffolds. The in vitro study demonstrated that pASCs had the best osteogenic differentiation on PCL–TCP–COL group scaffolds, due to the highest ALP activity, osteocalcin mRNA expression and mineralization. A nude mice experiment showed better woven bone and vascular tissue formation in the PCL–TCP–COL group than in the PCL group. In conclusion, the study demonstrated the ability to fabricate 3D, porous PCL–TCP composite scaffolds (PCL:TCP = 70:30 by weight) via an in‐house‐built SLS technique. In addition, the osteogenic ability of pASCs was found to be enhanced by coating COL onto the PCL–TCP scaffolds, both in vitro and in vivo. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chemical surface modification of poly‐ε‐caprolactone improves Schwann cell proliferation for peripheral nerve repair

Poly‐ε‐caprolactone (PCL) is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer used in tissue engineering for various clinical applications. Schwann cells (SCs) play an important role in nerve regeneration and repair. SCs attach and proliferate on PCL films but cellular responses are weak due to the hydrophobicity and neutrality of PCL. In this study, PCL films were hydrolysed and aminolysed to modify the surface with different functional groups and improve hydrophilicity. Hydrolysed films showed a significant increase in hydrophilicity while maintaining surface topography. A significant decrease in mechanical properties was also observed in the case of aminolysis. In vitro tests with Schwann cells (SCs) were performed to assess film biocompatibility. A short‐time experiment showed improved cell attachment on modified films, in particular when amino groups were present on the material surface. Cell proliferation significantly increased when both treatments were performed, indicating that surface treatments are necessary for SC response. It was also demonstrated that cell morphology was influenced by physico‐chemical surface properties. PCL can be used to make artificial conduits and chemical modification of the inner lumen improves biocompatibility. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mesenchymal stem cells in a polycaprolactone conduit enhance median-nerve regeneration,prevent decrease of creatine phosphokinase levels in muscle,and improve functional recovery in mice

Although the majority of peripheral-nerve regeneration studies are carried out on the sciatic nerve, lesions of the upper extremities are more common in humans and usually lead to significant physical disabilities. The present study was driven by the hypothesis that a combination of strategies, namely grafts of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and resorbable polycaprolactone (PCL) conduits would improve median-nerve regeneration after transection. Mouse median nerves were transected and sutured to PCL tubes that were filled with either green fluorescent protein (GFP⁺) MSC in DMEM or with DMEM alone. During the post-operative period, animals were tested weekly for flexor digitorum muscle function by means of the grasping test. After 8 weeks, the proximal and middle portions of the PCL tube and the regenerating nerves were harvested and processed for light and electron microscopy. The flexor digitorum muscle was weighed and subjected to biochemical analysis for creatine phosphokinase (CK) levels. Scanning electron microscopy of the PCL tube 8 weeks after implantation showed clear signs of wall disintegration. MSC-treated animals showed significantly larger numbers of myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers and blood vessels compared with DMEM-treated animals. The flexor digitorum muscle CK levels were significantly higher in the MSC-treated animals, but muscle weight values did not differ between the groups. Compared with the DMEM-treated group, MSC-treated animals showed, by the grasping test, improved functional performance throughout the period analyzed. Immunofluorescence for S-100 and GFP showed, in a few cases, double-labeled cells, suggesting that transplanted cells may occasionally transdifferentiate into Schwann cells. Our data demonstrate that the polycaprolactone conduit filled with MSC is capable of significantly improving the median-nerve regeneration after a traumatic lesion.     

The Relationship between Starch Gelatinization and Morphology Control in Melt‐Processed Polymer Blends with Thermoplastic Starch

Critical aspects of starch plasticization in glycerol/excess water mixtures are analyzed in order to determine the time/temperature boundaries ultimately required for the successful plasticization of starch in a polymer melt‐processing environment. These findings are then related to the morphology of melt‐blended TPS in PCL. The onset and conclusion temperatures for wheat starch gelatinization in the presence of various excess water/glycerol mixtures were obtained. Dynamic studies of wheat starch gelatinization show that if the temperature is sufficiently high, gelatinization takes place within 60 s for the excess water/glycerol/wheat starch mixture and within 3 min for the glycerol/wheat starch case. Morphological studies indicate the inability of glycerol alone to plasticize native starch within the time constraints of melt extrusion. The efficacy of plasticization is demonstrated by a dramatic six‐fold reduction in the dispersed TPS phase size and a unimodal TPS phase size distribution in the blend system.

     

Electrosprayed Hydroxyapatite on Polymer Nanofibers to Differentiate Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Osteogenesis

Abstract

Electrospraying of hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles onto the surface of polymer nanofibers provides a potentially novel substrate for the adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into bone tissue regeneration. HA nanoparticles (4%) were electrosprayed on the surface of electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers (420 ± 15 nm) for bone tissue engineering. PCL/HA nanofibers were comparatively characterized with PCL/Collagen (275 ± 56 nm) nanofibers by FT-IR analysis to confirm the presence of HA. Fabricated PCL/HA and PCL/Collagen nanofibers and TCP (control) were used for the differentiation of equine MSC into osteogenic lineages in the presence of DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with β-glycerophosphate, ascorbic acid and dexamethasone. Cell proliferation and differentiation into an osteogenic lineage was evaluated by MTS assay, SEM observation, ALP activity, ARS staining, quantification of mineral deposition and expression of osteocalcin. Proliferation of MSCs increased significantly (P ? 0.05) up to 12% in PCL/Collagen (day 15) compared to PCL/HA nanofibrous substrate. ALP activity was increased 20% in PCL/HA by day 10 confirming the direction of osteogenic lineage from MSCs differentiation. PCL/HA stimulated an increased mineral secretion up to 26% by day 15 on ARS staining compared to PCL/Collagen nanofibers and showing cuboidal morphology by expressing osteocalcin. These results confirmed that the specifically fabricated PCL/HA composite nanofibrous substrate enhanced the differentiation of MSCs into osteogenesis.     

3D打印聚己内酯/纳米羟基磷灰石复合支架与骨髓间充质干细胞的体外生物相容性

文题释义： 3D打印技术：是通过计算机设计3D模型,按照某一坐标轴切成无限多个剖面,然后层层打印堆叠形成一个实体的立体模型,使用3D打印技术制备的骨组织工程支架能对支架的内部结构和外形进行自由可控的构建,在支架个性化、精确性、机械强度、孔隙调节、空间结构复杂性方面有独特优势。 纳米羟基磷灰石/聚己内酯复合材料：羟基磷灰石是人体和动物骨骼的主要无机成分,具有良好的骨诱导性,纳米羟基磷灰石由于良好的生物相容性和骨整合能力被广泛用作骨缺损的修复材料;聚己内酯是一种已被FDA批准的生物材料,具有良好的机械性能、生物相容性及降解性。两种材料复合物的多孔结构能够为细胞生长、组织再生及血管化提供有利条件。 背景：聚己内酯/纳米羟基磷灰石复合材料是在常用骨组织工程材料基础上结合3D打印技术制备的新型复合支架材料,目前对于该复合材料的体外生物相容性研究较少。 目的：通过体外实验探讨3D打印聚己内酯/纳米羟基磷灰石复合支架材料的细胞相容性。 方法：利用3D打印技术分别制备聚己内酯及聚己内酯/纳米羟基磷灰石复合支架,表征两组材料的微观结构、孔隙率及力学性能。将大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞分别接种于两组支架表面,CCK-8法检测细胞增殖率,扫描电镜和Live/Dead染色观察细胞在支架上的生长情况。 结果与结论：①两组支架均呈三维网状相互连通结构,纤维呈规律有序的排列、相互交错,纤维表面无空隙,纤维间距、直径较为均一;两组支架的孔隙率比较差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05);复合支架的弹性模量高于单纯聚己内酯支架(P < 0.05);②两组支架表面培养1 d的细胞增殖比较差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05),复合支架表面培养4,7 d的细胞增殖快于单纯聚己内酯支架(P < 0.05);③Live/Dead染色结果显示,两组材料均具有良好的细胞相容性,细胞活性较高,同时复合支架上的贴壁细胞更多一些;④扫描电镜显示,细胞在两种材料上生长形态良好,并紧密黏附于支架表面及微孔附近,同时可见分泌的细胞外基质呈丝状包绕于细胞周围;⑤结果表明,3D打印技术制备的聚己内酯/纳米羟基磷灰石复合支架孔隙较丰富,具备良好的力学性能,细胞相容性良好,可作为骨组织工程的支架材料。 ORCID: 0000-0002-7083-6458(胡超然) 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     

Biocompatibility of PCL/PLGA-BCP porous scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications

In this study, biomimic porous polycaprolactone/poly (lactide-co-glycolide) loading biphasic tricalcium phosphate (PCL/PLGA-BCP) scaffolds were fabricated successfully by solvent evaporation method. The distribution of biphasic tricalcium phosphate (BCP) in polycaprolactone/poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PCL/PLGA) scaffold was confirmed by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning, scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation and Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. The hydrophilicity of the scaffolds was confirmed by contact angle measurement. In in vitro experiments, proliferation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (hBMSCs) and its osteoblastic differentiation on scaffold were assessed for 1, 2 and 3 weeks using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, fluorescence observation, hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) staining and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In in vivo experiments, ossification was observed using micro-CT analysis and histological staining.     

Shear bond strength of Resilon to a methacrylate-based root canal sealer

AIM: To evaluate the adhesive strength of Resilon to Next root canal sealant (Heraeus-Kulzer), a methacrylate-based root canal sealer, using a modified microshear bond testing design. METHODOLOGY: Flat Resilon surfaces of different roughnesses (smooth surface and surface roughness equivalent to 320-grit and 180-grit) were prepared by compression moulding for bonding to the sealer and compared with a composite control. The shear strength data were statistically analysed using Kruskal-Wallis one-way anova on ranks and Dunn's multiple comparison tests (alpha = 0.05). After shear testing, fractured specimens were examined using a field emission-scanning electron microscope for detailed analysis of the failure modes. RESULTS: The composite control exhibited significantly higher mean shear strength (7.62 MPa) that was 4.4-4.7 times those of the Resilon groups (1.64-1.74 MPa; P < 0.001). Increasing the surface roughness of the Resilon surface did not contribute to further improvement in shear bond strength for this methacrylate-based sealer (P > 0.05). Failure modes in the composite control were cohesive and mixed failures, while those in the Resilon groups were predominantly adhesive failures, with a small percentage of mixed failures. Ultrastructural evidence of phase separation of polymeric components could be identified in Resilon. Both intact, non deformed and plastically deformed Resilon surfaces could be observed in specimens that exhibited adhesive failures. CONCLUSION: The low shear strength of Resilon to a methacrylate-based sealer compared with a composite control suggests that the amount of dimethacrylate incorporated in this filled, polycaprolactone-based thermoplastic composite may not yet be optimized for effective chemical coupling to methacrylate resins.     

Progenitor‐derived endothelial cell response,platelet reactivity and haemocompatibility parameters indicate the potential of NaOH‐treated polycaprolactone for vascular tissue engineering

The haemocompatibility of NaOH‐treated poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) has been evaluated in vitro by analysing several parameters, including plasma recalcification time, whole blood clotting time and platelet adhesion/activation. NaOH‐treated PCL films showed a significant decrease in the clot formation speed and a reduced number of adhered platelets, which mainly exhibited non‐activated morphologies. Furthermore, mature endothelial cells derived from peripheral endothelial progenitor cells were cultured on the polymer to investigate the effects of the endothelial lining on polymer haemocompatibility. Interestingly, cells cultured on NaOH‐treated PCL films showed a significant stimulation of NO production. Although further research is required, NaOH treatment could be an interesting and simple strategy to modify PCL‐based materials in order to enhance endothelial NO production, where compromised, and provide a better interaction of the scaffold with the blood components. In conclusion, these results reinforce the use of NaOH‐treated PCL as a haemocompatible polymer for vascular tissue‐engineering applications. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Calcification of primary human osteoblast cultures under flow conditions using polycaprolactone scaffolds for intravascular applications

Total atherosclerotic occlusion is a leading cause of death. Recent animal models of this disease are devoid of cell‐mediated calcification and arteries are often not occluded gradually. This study is part of a project with the objective of developing a new model featuring the above two characteristics, using a tissue‐engineering scaffold. The amount and distribution of calcium deposits in primary human osteoblast (HOB) cultures on polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds under flow conditions were investigated. HOBs were cultured on PCL scaffolds with TGF‐β1 loadings of 0 (control), 5 and 50 ng. HOB–PCL constructs were cultured in spinner flasks. Under flow conditions, cell numbers present in HOB cultures on PCL scaffolds increased from day 7 to day 14, and most calcification was induced at day 21. TGF‐β1 loadings of 5 and 50 ng did not show a significant difference in ALP activity, cell numbers and amount of calcium deposited in HOB cultures, but calcium staining showed that 50 ng TGF‐β1 had higher calcium deposited on both days 21 and 28 under flow conditions compared with 5 ng of loading. Amount of calcium deposited by HOBs on day 28 showed a decrease from their levels on day 21. PCL degradation may be a factor contributing to this loss. The results indicate that cell‐induced calcification can be achieved on PCL scaffolds under flow conditions. In conclusion, TGFβ1–HOB loaded PCL can be applied to create a model for total atherosclerotic occlusion with cell‐deposited calcium in animal arteries. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.