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.
ObjectiveTo analyze the progress in biological tissue engineering scaffold materials and the clinical application, as well as product development status. MethodsBased on extensive investigation in the status of research and application of biological tissue engineering scaffold materials, a comprehensive analysis was made. Meanwhile, a detailed analysis of research and product development was presented. ResultsConsiderable progress has been achieved in research, products transformation, clinical application, and supervision of biological scaffold for tissue engineering. New directions, new technology, and new products are constantly emerging. With the continuous progress of science and technology and continuous improvement of life sciences theory, the new direction and new focus still need to be continuously adjusted in order to meet the clinical needs. ConclusionFrom the aspect of industrial transformation feasibility, acellular scaffolds and extracellular matrix are the most promising new growth of both research and product development in this field.
Aiming at the problem of scaffold degradation in bone tissue engineering, we studied the feasibility that controlls bone defect repair effect with the inhomogeneous structure of scaffold. The prediction model of bone defect repair which contains governing equations for bone formation and scaffold degradation was constructed on the basis of analyzing the process and main influence factors of bone repair in bone tissue engineering. The process of bone defect repair and bone structure after repairing can be predicted by combining the model with finite element method (FEM). Bone defect repair effects with homogenous and inhomogeneous scaffold were simulated respectively by using the above method. The simulation results illustrated that repair effect could be impacted by scaffold structure obviously and it can also be controlled via the inhomogeneous structure of scaffold with some feasibility.
ObjectiveTo manufacture a polycaprolactone (PCL)/type Ⅰ collagen (COL Ⅰ) tissue engineered meniscus scaffold (hereinafter referred to as PCL/COL Ⅰ meniscus scaffold) by three-dimensional (3D) printing with low temperature deposition technique and to study its physicochemical properties.MethodsFirst, the 15% PCL/4% COLⅠ composite solution and 15% PCL simple solution were prepared. Then, 15% PCL/4% COL Ⅰmeniscus scaffold and 15% PCL meniscal scaffold were prepared by using 3D printing with low temperature deposition techniques. The morphology and microstructure of the scaffolds were observed by gross observation and scanning electron microscope. The compression modulus and tensile modulus of the scaffolds were measured by biomechanical test. The components of the scaffolds were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The contact angle of the scaffold surface was measured. The meniscus cells of rabbits were cultured with the two scaffold extracts and scaffolds, respectively. After cultured, the cell proliferations were detected by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8), and the normal cultured cells were used as controls. Cell adhesion and growth of scaffold-cell complex were observed by scanning electron microscope.ResultsAccording to the gross and scanning electron microscope observations, two scaffolds had orientated 3D microstructures and pores, but the surface of the PCL/COLⅠ meniscus scaffold was rougher than the PCL meniscus scaffold. Biomechanical analysis showed that the tensile modulus and compression modulus of the PCL/COL Ⅰ meniscus scaffold were not significantly different from those of the PCL meniscus scaffold (P>0.05). FTIR analysis results showed that COL Ⅰ and PCL were successful mixed in PCL/ COL Ⅰ meniscus scaffolds. The contact angle of PCL/COLⅠ meniscus scaffold [(83.19±7.49)°] was significantly lower than that of PCL meniscus scaffold [(111.13±5.70)°] (t=6.638, P=0.000). The results of the CCK-8 assay indicated that with time, the number of cells cultured in two scaffold extracts showed an increasing trend, and there was no significant difference when compared with the control group (P>0.05). Scanning electron microscope observation showed that the cells attached on the PCL/ COL Ⅰ meniscus scaffold more than that on the PCL scaffold.ConclusionPCL/COLⅠmeniscus scaffolds are prepared by 3D printing with low temperature deposition technique, which has excellent physicochemical properties without cytotoxicity. PCL/COLⅠmeniscus scaffold is expected to be used as the material for meniscus tissue engineering.
Collagen is a kind of natural biomedical material and collagen based three-dimensional porous scaffolds have been widely used in skin tissue engineering. However, these scaffolds do not meet the requirements for artificial skin substitutes in terms of their poor mechanical properties, short supply, and rejection in the bodies. All of these factors limit their further application in skin tissue engineering. A variety of methods have been chosen to meliorate the situation, such as cross linking and blending other substance for improving mechanical properties. The highly biomimetic scaffolds either in structure or in function can be prepared through culturing cells and loading growth factors. To avoid the drawbacks of unsafety attributing to animals, investigators have fixed their eyes on the recombinant collagen. This paper reviews the the progress of research and application of collagen-based 3-dimensional porous scaffolds in skin tissue engineering.
Objective To locate sinoatrial node (SAN) in suckl ing pigs, to develop a rel iable method for isolation, purification and cultivation of SAN cells and to observe the compatibil ity of SAN cells and Col I fiber scaffold. Methods Five newborn purebred ChangBaiShan suckl ing pigs (male and female), aged less than 1-day-old and weighing 0.45-0.55 kg, wereused. Multi-channels electrophysiological recorder was appl ied to detect the original site of atrial waves. Primary SAN cells harvested from that area were cultured by the conventional culture method and the purification culture method including differential velocity adherent technique and 5-BrdU treatment, respectively. Atrial myocytes isolated from the left atrium underwent purified culture. Cell morphology, time of cell attachment, time of unicellular pulsation, and pulsation frequency were observed using inverted microscope. The purified cultured SAN cells (5 × 105 cells/mL) were co-cultured with prewetted Col I fiber scaffold for 5 days, and then the cells were observed by HE staining and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results The atrial waves occurred firstly at the area of SAN. The purified cultured SAN cells were spindle, triangular, and irregular in morphology, and the spindle cells comprised the greatest proportion. Atrial myocytes were not spindle-shaped, but primarily triangular and irregular. The proportion of spindle cells in the conventional cultured SAN cells was decreased from 73.0% ± 2.9% in the purified cultured SAN cells, to 44.7% ± 2.3% (P lt; 0.01), and the proportion of irregular cells increased from 7.0% ± 1.7% in the purified cultrued SAN cells to 36.1% ± 2.6% (P lt; 0.01) . The proportion of the triangular cells in the purified and the conventional cultured SAN cells was 20.0% ± 2.1% and 19.2% ± 2.5%, respectively (P gt; 0.05). At 5 days after co-culture, HE staining displayed lots of SAN cells in Col I fiber scaffold, and SEM demonstrated conglobate adherence of the cells to the surface and lateral pore wall of scaffold, mutual connections of the cell processes, or attachment of cells to lateral pore wall of scaffold through pseudopodia. Conclusion With accurate SAN location, the purification culture method containing differential velocity adherent technique and 5-BrdU treatment can increase the proportion of spindle cells and is a rel iable method for the purification and cultivation of SAN cells. The SAN cells and Col I fiber scaffold have a good cellular compatibil ity.
The aim of this article is to study how andrographolide-releasing collagen scaffolds influence rabbit articular chondrocytes in maintaining their specific phenotype under inflammatory environment. Physical blending combined with vacuum freeze-drying method was utilized to prepare the andrographolide-releasing collagen scaffold. The characteristics of scaffold including its surface morphology and porosity were detected with environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) and a density instrument. Then, the release of andrographolide from prepared scaffolds was measured by UV-visible spectroscopy. Rabbit chondrocytes were isolated and cultured in vitro and seeded on andrographolide-releasing collagen scaffolds. Following culture with normal medium for 3 d, seeded chondrocytes were cultured with medium containing interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) to stimulate inflammation in vitro for 7 d. The proliferation, morphology and gene transcription of tested chondrocytes were detected with Alamar Blue assay, fluorescein diacetate (FDA) staining and reverse-transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) test respectively. The results showed that the collagen scaffolds prepared by vacuum freeze-dry possess a high porosity close to 96%, and well-interconnected chambers around (120.7±17.8) μm. The andrographolide-releasing collagen scaffold continuously released andrographolide to the PBS solution within 15 d, and collagen scaffolds containing 2.22% andrographolide significantly inhibit the proliferation of chondrocytes. Compared with collagen scaffolds, 0.44% andrographolide-containing collagen scaffolds facilitate chondrocytes to keep specific normal morphologies following 7 d IL-1β induction. The results obtained by RT-qPCR confirmed this effect by enhancing the transcription of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), collagen II (COL II), aggrecan (Aggrecan) and the ratio of COL II/ collagen I(COL I), meanwhile, reversing the promoted transcription of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13). In conclusion, our research reveals that andrographolide-releasing (0.44%) collagen scaffolds enhance the ability of chondrocytes to maintain their specific morphologies by up-regulating the transcription of genes like COL II, Aggrecan and TIMP-1, while down-regulating the transcription of genes like MMP-1 and MMP-13 which are bad for phenotypic maintenance under IL-1β simulated inflammatory environment. These results implied the potential use of andrographolide-releasing collagen scaffold in osteoarthritic cartilage repair.
Objective To investigate the physicochemical properties, osteogenic properties, and osteogenic ability in rabbit model of femoral condylar defect of acellular dermal matrix (ADM)/dicalcium phosphate (DCP) composite scaffold. Methods ADM/DCP composite scaffolds were prepared by microfibril technique, and the acellular effect of ADM/DCP composite scaffolds was detected by DNA residue, fat content, and α-1, 3-galactosyle (α-Gal) epitopes; the microstructure of scaffolds was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and mercury porosimetry; X-ray diffraction was used to analyze the change of crystal form of scaffold; the solubility of scaffolds was used to detect the pH value and calcium ion content of the solution; the mineralization experiment in vitro was used to observe the surface mineralization. Twelve healthy male New Zealand white rabbits were selected to prepare the femoral condylar defect models, and the left and right defects were implanted with ADM/DCP composite scaffold (experimental group) and skeletal gold® artificial bone repair material (control group), respectively. Gross observation was performed at 6 and 12 weeks after operation; Micro-CT was used to detect and quantitatively analyze the related indicators [bone volume (BV), bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV), bone surface/bone volume (BS/BV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), bone mineral density (BMD)], and HE staining and Masson staining were performed to observe the repair of bone defects and the maturation of bone matrix. Results Gross observation showed that the ADM/DCP composite scaffold was a white spongy solid. Compared with ADM, ADM/DCP composite scaffolds showed a significant decrease in DNA residue, fat content, and α-Gal antigen content (P<0.05). Field emission scanning electron microscopy showed that the ADM/DCP composite scaffold had a porous structure, and DCP particles were attached to the porcine dermal fibers. The porosity of the ADM/DCP composite scaffold was 76.32%±1.63% measured by mercury porosimetry. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the crystalline phase of DCP in the ADM/DCP composite scaffolds remained intact. Mineralization results in vitro showed that the hydroxyapatite layer of ADM/DCP composite scaffolds was basically mature. The repair experiment of rabbit femoral condyle defect showed that the incision healed completely after operation without callus or osteophyte. Micro-CT showed that bone healing was complete and a large amount of new bone tissue was generated in the defect site of the two groups, and there was no difference in density between the defect site and the surrounding bone tissue, and the osteogenic properties of the two groups were equivalent. There was no significant difference in BV, BV/TV, BS/BV, Tb.Th, Tb.N, and BMD between the two groups (P>0.05), except that the Tb.Sp in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). At 6 and 12 weeks after operation, HE staining and Masson staining showed that the new bone and autogenous bone fused well in both groups, and the bone tissue tended to be mature. Conclusion The ADM/DCP composite scaffold has good biocompatibility and osteogenic ability similar to the artificial bone material in repairing rabbit femoral condylar defects. It is a new scaffold material with potential in the field of bone repair.
ObjectiveTo review the methods of improving the mechanical properties of hydrogels and the research progress in bone tissue engineering. MethodsThe recent domestic and foreign literature on hydrogels in bone tissue engineering was reviewed, and the methods of improving the mechanical properties of hydrogels and the effect of bone repair in vivo and in vitro were summarized. ResultsHydrogels are widely used in bone tissue engineering, but their mechanical properties are poor. Improving the mechanical properties of hydrogels can enhance bone repair. The methods of improving the mechanical properties of hydrogels include the construction of dual network structures, inorganic nanoparticle composites, introduction of conductive materials, and fiber network reinforcement. These methods can improve the mechanical properties of hydrogels to various degrees while also demonstrating a significant bone repair impact. ConclusionThe mechanical properties of hydrogels can be effectively improved by modifying the system, components, and fiber structure, and bone repair can be effectively promoted.
Objective To review the recent advances in the application of graphene oxide (GO) for bone tissue engineering. Methods The latest literature at home and abroad on the GO used in the bone regeneration and repair was reviewed, including general properties of GO, degradation performance, biocompatibility, and application in bone tissue engineering. Results GO has an abundance of oxygen-containing functionalities, high surface area, and good biocompatibility. In addition, it can promote stem cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Moreover, GO has many advantages in the construction of new composite scaffolds and improvement of the performance of traditional scaffolds. Conclusion GO has been a hot topic in the field of bone tissue engineering due to its excellent physical and chemical properties. And many problems still need to be solved.