OBJECTIVE: To study chondrogenesis of calcium alginate-chondrocytes predetermined shapes. METHODS: Chondrocytes isolated from ears of rabbit by type II collagenase digestion, and then were mixed with 1.5% solidium alginate solution. The suspension was gelled to create three spatial shapes as triangle, circle and quadrilateral by immersed into 2.5% CaCl2 for 90 minutes, and then was implanted into the subcutaneous pocket on the dorsum of the rabbit. Samples were harvested at 6 and 12 weeks after implantation. RESULTS: Gross examination of excised specimens at 6 and 12 weeks after implantation revealed the presence of new cartilage of approximately the same dimensions as the original construct. Histologic evaluation using hematoxylin and eosin stains confirmed the presence of cartilage nodules at 6 weeks after implantation. After 12 weeks, mature cartilage was observed and histologic analysis confirmed the presence of well formed cartilaginous matrix. CONCLUSION: Predetermined shapes neocartilage can be regenerated using calcium alginate as a carrier of chondrocytes in the bodies of immune animals.
Objective To evaluate the cytocompatibility of collagenmembraneswith transitional cells of rabbit in vitro and to discuss the possibility of the collagen membranes as urologic tissue engineering scaffolds. Methods Primary cultured transitional cells isolated from New Zealand rabbits were implantedon collagen membranes at 1×105 cells/cm2. The changes of cell adhering were observed by inverted microscope and scanning electron microscope 2, 12 and 24hours later. The experiment was divided into 4 groups: non-cell group (black control) culture medium group(negative control), extract medium from Polyvinyl chloride group(positive control) and extract medium from collagen membranes group(experimental group). The cells of generations 2 to 4 were implanted in 96-hole-plank at 1×104 cells every hole. And every group had 5 holes. Then absorption coefficient were detected at the wave length of 490 nm by MTT assay. Then the cytotoxicity and cytocompatibility were evaluated by comparison of the numbers of absorptioncoefficient.Results The bladder transitional cells began to adhere to the collagen membrane 2 hours after implanting, and the number of the adhered cells increased with time.The actual absorption coefficient of experimental groups was 0.590±0.024,1.065±0.040 and 1.129±0.074 after 24, 72 and 120 hours. The actual absorption coefficient of negative control group was 0.639±0.068,1.022±0.044 and 1.087±0.111. The actual absorption coefficient of positive control group was 0.302±0.029,0.653±0.083 and 0.694±0.031. There was significantdifference between the experimental group and positive control (Plt;0.01), and no significant difference between the experimental group and negative control(Pgt;0.05).Conclusion Collagen membrane has good cytocompatibility withtransitional cells and no cytotoxity. It can be used as scaffolds of urologic tissue engineering.
Objective To evaluate the biocompatibility of a new bone matrix material (NBM) composed of both organic and inorganic materials for bone tissue engineering. Methods Osteoblasts combined with NBM in vitro were cultured. The morphological characteristics was observed; cell proliferation, protein content and basic alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity were measured. NBM combined with osteoblasts were implanted into the skeletal muscles of rabbits and the osteogenic potential of NBM was evaluated through contraat microscope, scanning electromicroscope and histological examination. In vitro osteoblasts could attach and proliferate well in the NBM, secreting lots of extracellular matrix; NBM did not cause the inhibition of proliferation and ALP activity of osteoblasts. While in vivo experiment of the NBM with osteoblasts showed that a large number of lymphacytes and phagocytes invading into the inner of the material in the rabbit skeletalmuscle were seen after 4 weeks of implantation and that no new bone formation was observed after 8 weeks. Conclusion This biocompat ibility difference between in vitro and in vivo may be due to the immunogenity of NBM which causes cellular immuno reaction so as to destroy the osteogenic environment. The immunoreaction between the host and the organic-inorganic composite materials in tissue engineering should be paid more attention to.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biological characteristics of human muscle satellite cell cultured in vitro. METHODS: Human muscle satellite cells were obtained from skeletal muscle biopsies of six patients during corrective orthopedic surgery, cultivated in growth medium for ten days, then in differentiation medium for additional five days. Human satellite cells were identified with monoclonal antibody against desmin. Cells were observed under phase contrast microscopy. RESULTS: Human muscle satellite cells proliferated in growth medium, and fused to form myotubes in differentiation medium. After 24 hours in differentiation medium, the confluent satellite cells began to fuse actively and achieved the top level at 72 hours. CONCLUSION: Human muscle satellite cell can proliferate and differentiate in appropriate culture condition. Immunocytochemical detection of desmin is the effective early method to determine satellite cell.
Objective To comment on the recent advances of production and application of the bio-derived scaffold in the tissue engineered peripheral nerve. Methods The recent articles were systematically analyzed, and then the production methods of the bio-derived scaffold and its application to the tissue engineered peripheral nerve were evaluated and prospected. Results B iological tissues were processed by some methods to produce the bio-derived materials. These mat erials could maintain the structure and components of the tissues. Moreover, the immunogenicity of these materials was reduced. Conclusion Application of the bio-derived materials is a trend in the fabricating scaffold of the tissue en gineered peripheral nerve.
OBJECTIVE This paper aims to investigate the suitable cell density and the best formation time of tissue engineered autologous cartilage and to provide theoretical basis and parameters for clinical application. METHODS The chondrocytes isolated from mini swines’ ears were mixed with injectable biocompatible matrix (Pluronic), and the density of cell suspensions were 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 x 10(4)/ml. The chondrocyte-polymer constructs were subcutaneously injected into the abdomen of autologous swine. The specimens were observed grossly and histologically after 6 weeks, and investigated the suitable cell density. Then the chondrocyte-polymer constructs with suitable cell density were transplanted into the abdomen of autologous swine and evaluated grossly and histologically in 1, 3, 6, 9, 15 weeks after transplantation to investigate the best formation time of tissue engineered cartilage. RESULTS The experiments demonstrated that the tissue engineered autologous cartilage was similar to the natural cartilage on animals with normal immune system in histological characteristics. The optimal chondrocyte density is 50 x 10(6)/ml, and the proper harvest time is the sixth week. CONCLUSION With tissue engineering skills, we have identified the optimal chondrocyte density and the proper harvest time.
Objective To review research progress of corneal tissueengineering.Methods The recent articles on corneal tissue engineering focus on source and selection of corneal cells, the effects of growth factors on culture of corneal cells in vitro. The preparation and selection of three-dimensional biomaterial scaffolds and their b and weak points were discussed. Results The corneal tissue engineering cells come from normal human corneal cells. The embryo corneal cell was excellent. Several kinds of growth factors play important roles in culture, growth and proliferation of corneal cell, and incroporated into matrix.Growth factors including basic fibroblast growth factor, keratinocyte growth factor, transforming growth factor β1 and epidermal growth factor was favor to corneal cell. Collagen, chitosan and glycosaninoglycans were chosen as biomaterial scaffolds. Conclusion Human tissue engineering cornea can be reconstructed and transplanted. It has good tissue compatibility and can be used as human corneal equivalents.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of silks on attachment, shape and function of chondrocytes cultured in vitro. METHODS: The silks from silk worm cocoons were digested by trypsin and coated with polylactic acid to from three dimensional scaffolds for rabbit rib chondrocyte culture. The growth and shape of chondrocytes were observed with phase contrast microscopy, scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: The chondrocytes were adhered to silks slowly after chondrocytes were seeded into silk scaffolds and cells fixed on silks well 1 or 2 days later. Cells began to proliferate after 3 days and multiplicative growth was observed on the 6th day. Microholes of silk scaffolds were filled with chondrocytes 2 weeks later. Scanning electron microscopy showed that there was a lot of extracellular matrix surrounding cells. CONCLUSION: Silks are ideal for attachment, growth and function maintenance of chondrocytes, and silks can be used as scaffolds for chondrocytes in three dimensional culture.
OBJECTIVE To review the recent research progress of bone-marrow stromal stem cells (BMSCs) in the conditions of culture in vitro, chondrogenic differentiation, and the application in cartilage tissue engineering. METHODS: Recent original articles related to such aspects of BMSCs were reviewed extensively. RESULTS: BMSCs are easy to be isolated and cultivated. In the process of chondrogenesis of BMSCs, the special factors and interaction between cells are investigated extensively. BMSCs have been identified to form cartilage in vivo. One theory is the committed chondrocyte from BMSCs is only a transient stage. CONCLUSION: BMSCs are the alternative seeding cells for cartilage tissue engineering. The conditions promoting mature chondrocyte should be further investigated.
Objective To investigate the influence of the exogenouscollagen on the function of cells in construction of artificial biotendon.Methods Three materials including human hair, carbon fiber(CF) and polyglycolic acid (PGA) were combined with exogenous collagen and co-cultured with standard transferred human embryonic tenocytes at a concentration of 3×106/mm3 in vitro. The cell number and morphology were observed under inverted microscope and scanning electron microscope after 2 hours, 3 days and 5 days.Results In the artificial biotendon combined with collagen, the cells concentrated around the materials and the cells adhering to the materials turned into round after 2 hours. After 3 days, the adhering cells increased. After 5 days, the shape of the cells changed from round to spindle.ConclusionExogenous collagen will facilitate the cells to adhere onto materials and proliferate.