Objective To evaluate collagen（Col）hyaluronan (HA) chondroitin sulfate (CS) tri-copolymer as a new biomimetic biodegradable polymer scaffold for application of the articular cartilage tissue engineering. Methods The Col-HACS tricopolymer was prepared by freezing and lyophilization and was cross-linked by 1-ethyl-3(3-dimethy inaminoproyl) carbodiimide (EDC). The morpholog icalcharacteristics of the matrices were evaluated by the SME and HE stainings. The rabbit chondrocytes were isolated and seeded in the tricopolymer scaffold. Morphology, proliferation and differentiation of glycosaminoglycan (GAG), and phenotypic expression of the rabbit articular chondrocytes cultured within the tricopolymer scaffold were indicated by the histological examination, SEM, biochemica l analysis, and reverse transcriptase PCR for collagen typeⅡ（ColⅡ）. Results The chondrocytes proliferated and differentiated well, and th ey preserved the phenotypic expression of ColⅡ in the Col-HA-CS scaffold. After the 21day cell culture within the Col-HA-CS scaffolds, the cartilage-specific morphologyand the structural characteristics such as lacunae appeared，and DNA and GAG conten ts increased with the time. In addition, DNA and GAG contents were significantly higher in the Col-HA-CS matrix than in the collagen matrix alone (Plt;0.05 ). Conclusion These results show that the Col-HA-CS tri-copolymer matrices can provide an appropriate environment for the generation of cartilage-like tissues and have a potential application in the cartilage tissue engineering scaffold field.
OBJECTIVE: To build the trestle of tissue engineering for skin with the collagen. METHODS: The collagen was obtained from the baby cattle hide pretreated by Na2S and elastinase and Protease M, then the collagen was dissolved in 0.5 mol/L acetic acid solution. The collagen was treated with Protease N to minimize its immunogenicity. The resulting collagen could be used to build the trestle of tissue engineering for skin because of good biocompatibility. The collagen molecular weight and structure were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The bioactivity of trestle was tested in the experiment of the mice wound healing and the cell implantation. RESULTS: The SDS-PAGE result of the collagen treated by Protease M showed the typical spectrum of type I collagen. The built trestle was a collagen sponge matrix in which micropore size was 50-200 microns. It could accelerate wound healing and the implanted fibroblasts could proliferate well. CONCLUSION: The collagen treated by Protease N can get good biocompatibilily and is suitable for building the trestles of tissue engineering for skin with good bioactivity.
Objective To evaluate the feasibility and the value of the layered cylindric collagenhydroxyapatite composite as a scaffold for the cartilage tissue engineering after an observation of how it absorbs the chondrocytes and affe cts the cell behaviors. Methods The chondrocytes were isolated and multiplied in vitro, and then the chondrocytes were seeded onto the porous collagen／h ydro xyapatite composite scaffold and were cultured in a three-dimensional environme n t for 3 weeks. The effects of the composite scaffold on the cell adhesivity, proliferation, morphological changes, and synthesis of the extracellular matrix were observed by the phase-contrast microscopy, histology, scanning electron micros copy, and immunohistochemistry. Results The pore diameter of the upper layer of the collagen-hydroxyapatite composite scaffold was about 147 μm. and the porosity was 89%; the pore diameter of the bottom layer was about 85 μm and the porosity was 85%. The layered cylindric collagenhydroxyapatite composite scaffold had good hydrophilia. The chondrocytes that adhered to the surface of the scaffold, proliferated and migrated into the scaffold after 24 hours. The chondrocytesattached to the wall of the microholes of the scaffold maintained a rounded morphology and could secrete the extracellular matrix on the porous scaffold. Conclusion The layered cylindric collagenhydroxyapatite composite scaffold has a good cellular compatibility, and it is ber in the mechanical property than the pure collagen. It will be an ideal scaffold for the cartilage tissue enginee ring.
Objective To evaluate the utility of collagen-gel droplet embedded-culture drug sensitivity test (CD-DST) in pancreatic carcinoma cell by compared with WST-8. Methods The chemosensitivity to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), gemzar (GEM) and oxaliplatin (OXA) of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells SW1990, PCT-3 and ASPC-1 were tested by WST-8 and CD-DST respectively. Results In a certain living cell number range (500-10 000), there was a linear correlation (r=0.991 1, P＜0.05) between the integral optical density in CD-DST and the cell number. The inhibition ratios of three kinds of cell growth tested by CD-DST were higher than those tested by WST-8 (P＜0.05). The results of drug chemosensitivity to 5-FU， GEM and OXA detected by two methods were uniform. Conclusion The CD-DST can be used to assay the drug chemosensitivity in vitro for pancreatic carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE: To repair esophageal defects with an artificial prosthesis composed of biodegradable materials and nonbiodegradable materials, which is gradually replaced by host tissue. METHODS: The artificial esophagus was a two-layer tube consisting of a chitosan-collagen sponge and an inner polyurethane stent with a diameter of 20 mm and a length of 50 mm. We used the artificial esophagus to replace 5 cm esophageal defects in group I (five dogs) and in group II (ten dogs), and nutritional support was given after operation. The inner polyurethane stent was removed after 2 weeks in group I and after 4 weeks in group II endoscopically and epithelization of the regenerated esophagus was observed by histologic examination and transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: In group I, the polyurethane stent was removed after 2 weeks, and partial regeneration of esophageal epithelial was observed; and constriction of the regenerated esophagus progressed and the dogs became unable to swallow after 4 weeks. In group II, the polyurethane stent was removed after 4 weeks, highly regenerated esophageal tissue successfully replaced the defect and complete epithelization of the regenerated esophagus was observed. After 12 weeks, complete regeneration of esophageal mucosa structures, including mucosal smooth muscle and mucosal glands and partial regeneration of esophageal muscle tissue were observed. CONCLUSION: Esophageal high-order structures can be regenerated and provided a temporary stent and support by polyurethane stent and an adequate three-dimensional structure for 4 weeks by collagen-chitosan sponge.
Objective To prepare collagen-chitosan /nano-hydroxyapatite-collagen-polylactic acid (Col-CS/ nHAC-PLA) biomimetic scaffold and to examine its biocompatibility so as to lay the foundation for its application on the treatment of osteochondral defect. Methods PLA was dissolved in dioxane for getting final concentration of 8%, and the nHAC power was added at a weight ratio of nHAC to PLA, 1 ∶ 1. The solution was poured into a mold and frozen. CS and Col were dissolved in 2% acetum for getting the final concentrations of 2% and 1% respectively, then compounded at a weight ratio of CS to Col, 20 ∶ 1. The solution was poured into the frozen mold containing nHAC-PLA, and then biomimetic osteochondral scaffold of Col-CS/nHAC-PLA was prepared by freeze-drying. Acute systemic toxicity test, intracutaneous stimulation test, pyrogen test, hemolysis test, cytotoxicity test, and bone implant test were performed to evaluate its biocompatibility. Results Col-CS/nHAC-PLA had no acute systemic toxicity. Primary irritation index was 0, indicating that Col-CS/nHAC-PLA had very slight skin irritation. In pyrogen test, the increasing temperature of each rabbit was less than 0.6℃, and the increasing temperature sum of 3 rabbits was less than 1.3℃, which was consistent with the evaluation criteria. Hemolytic rate of Col-CS/nHAC-PLA was 1.38% (far less than 5%). The toxicity grade of Col-CS/nHAC-PLA was classified as grade I. Bone implant test showed that Col-CS/nHAC-PLA had good biocompatibility with the surrounding tissue. Conclusion Col-CS/ nHAC-PLA scaffold has good biocompatibility, which can be used as an alternative osteochondral scaffold.
Objective To investigate the influence of lipopolysaccharide(LPS) on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of normal human skin fibroblasts so as to elucidate its relation with skin wound healing. Methods Fibroblasts wereisolated and cultured in vitro, and then exposed to different doses of LPS(0.005, 0.010, 0.050, 0.100, 0.500, and 1.000 μg/ml) from E.coli055∶B5 respectively. Then the absorbance (A) value of fibroblasts was determined with the colorirneteric thiazolylblue (MTT) assay, and the cell number was counted under inverted phase contrast microscope from the 1st day to the 9th day after LPS administration, and collagen synthesis of fibroblasts in culture medium was measured with the method of pepsin digestion after incorporation of 3Hproline into stable, single-layered, confluent fibroblasts at 7 days after LPS administration. Results Compared with control group, A value increased with the increasing concentration of LPS (0.005 μg/ml 0.500 μg/ml) and LPS of 0.100 μg/mlgroup had the best effect. The difference was remarkable from the 5th day to the 9th day(P＜0.05). A value decreased when challenged with the LPS of 1.000 μg/ml and the difference was remarkable from the 3rd day to the 9th day(P＜0.05). Cell number increased with theadministration of LPS of different concentrations (0.005 μg/ml 0.500 μg/ml) and LPS of 0.100 μg/mlgroup had the best effect. The difference was remarkable from the 1st day to the 6th day(P＜0.05). Cell number decreased remarkably when challenged with LPS of 1.000 μg/ml and the difference was remarkable from the 2nd day to the 9th day(P＜0.05). Collagen synthesis increased when challenged with LPS of different concentrations (0.005 μg/ml 0.500 μg/ml) and the 0.100 μg/ml group had the best effect. However, when the dose of LPS reached 1.000 μg/ml, it inhibited collagensynthesis. Conclusion LPS could promote the proliferation andcollagen synthesis of fibroblasts within a certain range of low doses, but over-high dose ofLPS might inhibit the proliferation and collagen synthesis of fibroblasts, suggesting that LPS of certain concentrations might contribute to wound healing, while excessive LPS has negative effect on wound healing.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of repairing radial bone defect with scaffold material of attapulgite/collagen type I/poly (caprolactone) (ATP/Col I/PCL) in rabbits and the possibility as bone graft substitutes. MethodsATP/Col I/PCL materials were prepared via adding ATP to hexafluoroisopropanol after dissolved Col I/PCL (3∶2), and Col I/PCL materials via dissolving Col I/PCL (3∶2) in hexafluoroisopropanol served as control. The structure of scaffolds was observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM). Twenty-four Japanese white rabbits (male, 2 months old) were used to establish the bilateral radius defect model of 15 mm in length, and randomly divided into group A (6 rabbits, 12 defects), group B (9 rabbits, 18 defects), and group C (9 rabbits, 18 defects); then the Col I/PCL scaffold was implanted in the bone defect area in group B, the ATP/Col I/PCL scaffold in group C, no treatment was done in group A as control. The general condition of rabbits was observed after operation, and bone defect repair was evaluated by X-ray at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. At 12 weeks, the tissue of defect area was harvested for the general, SEM, Micro-CT, histological, and immunohistochemical staining to observe defect repair and material degradation. ResultsSEM observation showed that two kinds of materials were porous structure, ATP/Col I/PCL structure was more dense than Col I/PCL. All animals survived to the end of experiment, and no incision infection occurred during repair process.X-ray films showed that the bone marrow cavity was re-opened in defect area of group C with time, the repair effect was superior to that of groups A and B. At 12 weeks after operation, general observation showed that scaffold material had good fusion with the surrounding tissue in groups B and C, defect was filled with connective tissue in group A. SEM indicated that the surface and pore of the scaffold were covered with a large number of cells and tissues in groups B and C. Micro-CT demonstrated that the new bone volume, bone mineral content, tissue mineral content, and connectivity density of group C were significantly higher than those of groups A and B (P<0.05). The observation of histology and immunohistochemical staining indicated that there were lots of connective tissues in defect area of group A, and ALP, Col I, and OPN were weakly expressed; there were many collagen fibers in scaffold degradation area in group B, and the expression levels of ALP, Col I, and OPN were higher than those of group A; there was few new bone in group C, the degradation rate of the scaffold was slower than that of group B, and the expression of Col I and OPN were enhanced, while ALP was weakened when compared with groups A and B. ConclusionATP/Col I/PCL composite scaffold material can degrade in vivo, and has dense three-dimensional porous structure, good biocompatibility, and high potentiality of bone repair, so it can be used as bone substitute material.
Objective To evaluate the bone regenerative potential of reconbinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2(rhBMP-2) / collagen on adult rat calvarial bone. Methods A tight subperiosteal pocket was produced under both sides ofthe temporal muscle in rats. rhBMP-2 / collagen was implanted in one side and collagen alone was implanted in the other side as control. The rats were sacrificed 2, 4 and 8 weeks after operation. The specimen was harvested and examined histologically. For morphometric analysis, the thickness of the temporal bone of both sides was measured and compared. Results The rhBMP-2 / collagen onlay implant resulted in active bone formation and the augmented bone was connected directly with the original bone, whereas the collagen alone resulted in neither bone nor cartilage production. The ossification process in the rhBMP-2 / collagen occurred directly through bone formation, similar to intramembranous ossification. Conclusion rhBMP-2 / collagen is an effective material as a biological onlay implant.
Objective To observe the effects of keratinocytes on proliferation and collagen secretion of fibroblasts. Methods The conditioned medium,collected from cultured keratinocytes, was added to the cultured fibroblasts as the tested groups(12.5％, 25% and 50％ groups) and DMEM as control group. The MTT, hydroxyproline coloricmetric method and flow cytometer were employed to measure the fibroblast proliferation, the collagen secretion andthe change of the cell cycle.Results In fibroblast proliferation, the absorbency(A) value of tested groups was significantly different from that of the control group (P＜0.01). A value increased as increasing concentration, there was statistically significant difference betweetheconcentrations of 25%,50% and the concentration of 12.5%(P＜0.01), but no statistically significant difference between the concentrations of 25% and 50%(P＞0.01). In collagen secretion, there was no statistically significant difference between the tested groups and the control group(P＞0.01), and between the tested groups(P＞0.01). In cell cycle, 50% of conditioned medium could make the fibroblast pass the limit of G1/S and S/G2 period, the cell rates of S,G2-M period increased. Conclusion The conditioned medium from keratinocytes can increase fibroblasts proliferation, have little effect on general collagen secretion.