Objective To investigate the possibility of creation of tissue engineered heart valve leaflets in vitro . Methods Aorta were obtained from 9 hybrid young pigs. The endothelial cell, fibroblast and smooth muscle cells were isolated and cultured to get enough cell. The expanded fibroblast, smooth muscle cell,and endothelial cells were seeded on the polymers sequentially. The cell polymer constructs were sent for scanning electron microscopy(SEM) examination after cultured for 7, 14, and 28 days. Histological examination were performed after the cell polymer constructs cultured for 28 days. Results SEM showed that the number of cells on the polymers increased as the culture time prolonged, with the formation of matrix. After 28 days, there were a great number of cells and large amount of matrix on the scaffolds. The confluent cell had covered a large area of the polymers. Hematoxylin and eosin(HE) stain showed large amount of cells attached to the polymers. Conclusion With the viability of the cultured cellular scaffolds,it is possible to create tissue engineered heart valve leaflets in vitro.
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 investigate apoptosis of chondrocytes cultured in vitro and related expression of caspase-3. METHODS: Apoptosis of chondrocytes were detected by flow cytometry analysis and TUNEL staining. The expression of caspase-3 was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, and caspase-3 protein activity was determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Apoptosis was observed in chondrocytes cultured in vitro from passage 1 to passage 4 at various degrees. The percentage of apoptosis of chondrocytes on day 7 was much higher than that on day 3 (15.7% +/- 0.3% vs 8.9% +/- 0.6%, P lt; 0.01). caspase-3 mRNA and protein expressed in chondrocytes during whole culture process. Along with the culture time extension in vitro, caspase-3 expression and protein activity up-regulated, coincident with apoptosis of chondrocyte. caspase-3 was activated and a fragment of 20 kDa was detected after 7 days of culture. CONCLUSION: caspase-3 is involved in apoptosis of chondrocytes cultured in vitro.
Objective To develop a new method for a tissue engineered vascular graft by combining endothelial cells and an acelluarized allogenic matrix. Methods Acellularized matrix tubes were obtained by a 0.1% trypsin and 0 02% EDTA solution for 24 hours and 1% Triton X 100 for 176 hours, respectively. Endothelial cells were isolated from alloaorta and expanded in vitro. Finally, the inner surface of acellularized matrix was reseeded with endothelial cells. Acellularity and reseeding were analysed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Results The acellularization procedure resulted in an almost complete removal of the original cells and the loose three-dimensional (3D) matrix. The acellular matrix could be reseeded with expanded endothelial cells in vitro, and endothelial cells had the potential of spread and proliferation. Conclusion Acellular matrix produces by Tritoon X-100 and trypsin possesses satisfactory biocompatibility for allogenic endothelial cell. Vascular grafts can be generated in vitro by a combination of endothelial cells and allogenic acelluarized matrix.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of three-dimentional culture in bioderived material modified by Pluronic F-127 on the growth and function of rabbit periosteal osteoblast in vitro. METHODS: Bio-derived materials were from fresh pig ribs and were modified by Pluronic F-127. Then rabbit periosteal osteoblasts were cultured in bio-derived materials(group A), in the modified bio-derived materials(group B) and on the plastic surfaces as a control (group C), respectively. During a 7-day period, the status of growth, cell viability and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity were measured. RESULTS: Osteoblasts attached, elongated and grew well on the modified bio-derived materials. There were no significant difference in osteogenesis and ALP activity between group A and group B(P gt; 0.05). The osteogenesis and ALP activity in groups A, B were less than those in group C (P lt; 0.01). CONCLUSION: Pluronic F-127 can be used for a carrier for bioactive factors to modify bio-derived material.
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.
Urine-derived stem cells are a kind of cells with strong proliferative ability and multi-directional differentiation characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from urine. Urine-derived stem cells are derived from the kidney and express mesenchymal stem cell-specific antigens; experimental studies have shown that they can differentiate into a variety of cells such as adipocytes, chondrocytes, bone cells, nerve cells, etc., and have the function of promoting tissue repair. A review of the research progress of urinary stem cells is now available.
OBJECTIVE To investigate the adhesive interactions of cells with materials and the effects of material properties on cell adhesion in tissue engineering. METHODS By looking up the recent literatures dealt with adhesive interactions of cells with materials and reviewing previous work on the adhesion of tissue-derived cells to materials. RESULTS The adhesion characteristics of cells to materials not only depend on the nature of materials, including bulk and surface properties, surface modification, surface morphology, net charge, porosity and degradation rate, but also on the expression of cell surface molecules and their interaction with the material. CONCLUSION The quantitative measure and biophysical mechanisms of cell adhesion to materials might be very important in tissue engineering.
OBJECTIVE: To analysis the biological characteristics of human fibroblasts transfected by human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) eucaryotic expression plasmid pGRN145. METHODS: Fibroblasts from children’s foreskin were isolated and cultured in vitro, and the fibroblasts were transfected by pGRN145 with Lipofec-tAMINE PLUS Reagent. After strict screening of hygromycin B, the positive clones were subcultured. The telomerase activity was detected by RT-PCR and TRAP-PCR technique. The cell generation cycle and apoptosis rate were detected by flow cytometry to investigate the proliferative characteristics after transfection, and the chromosome karyotype of transformed cells was analyzed. The collagen secreted by transformed cells was detected by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The morphological properties of fibroblasts did not change obviously after transfection. There were telomerase activity in transfected fibroblasts, while it could not be detected in pre-transfection fibroblasts. The cell generation cycle had no obvious changes between pre-transfection and post-transfection. However, the apoptosis rate of transfected fibroblasts were decreased compared with that of pre-transfection. The fibroblasts transfected by pGRN145 maintained the normal diploid karyotype, as well as the cells could normally secret type I and III collagen. CONCLUSION: The human fibroblasts transfected by pGRN145 has telomerase activity with prolonged life span of culture, which preliminarily proves the availability of establishing standard seeding cell lines of tissue engineering by hTERT plasmid transfection techniques.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility of three-dimensional (3D) bioprinted adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) combined with gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) to construct tissue engineered cartilage.MethodsAdipose tissue voluntarily donated by liposuction patients was collected to isolate and culture human ADSCs (hADSCs). The third generation cells were mixed with GelMA hydrogel and photoinitiator to make biological ink. The hADSCs-GelMA composite scaffold was prepared by 3D bioprinting technology, and it was observed in general, and observed by scanning electron microscope after cultured for 1 day and chondrogenic induction culture for 14 days. After cultured for 1, 4, and 7 days, the composite scaffolds were taken for live/dead cell staining to observe cell survival rate; and cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) method was used to detect cell proliferation. The composite scaffold samples cultured in cartilage induction for 14 days were taken as the experimental group, and the composite scaffolds cultured in complete medium for 14 days were used as the control group. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect cartilage formation. The relative expression levels of the mRNA of cartilage matrix gene [(aggrecan, ACAN)], chondrogenic regulatory factor (SOX9), cartilage-specific gene [collagen type Ⅱ A1 (COLⅡA1)], and cartilage hypertrophy marker gene [collagen type ⅩA1 (COLⅩA1)] were detected. The 3D bioprinted hADSCs-GelMA composite scaffold (experimental group) and the blank GelMA hydrogel scaffold without cells (control group) cultured for 14 days of chondrogenesis were implanted into the subcutaneous pockets of the back of nude mice respectively, and the materials were taken after 4 weeks, and gross observation, Safranin O staining, Alcian blue staining, and collagen type Ⅱ immunohistochemical staining were performed to observe the cartilage formation in the composite scaffold.ResultsMacroscope and scanning electron microscope observations showed that the hADSCs-GelMA composite scaffolds had a stable and regular structure. The cell viability could be maintained at 80%-90% at 1, 4, and 7 days after printing, and the differences between different time points were significant (P<0.05). The results of CCK-8 experiment showed that the cells in the scaffold showed continuous proliferation after printing. After 14 days of chondrogenic induction and culture on the composite scaffold, the expressions of ACAN, SOX9, and COLⅡA1 were significantly up-regulated (P<0.05), the expression of COLⅩA1 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.05). The scaffold was taken out at 4 weeks after implantation. The structure of the scaffold was complete and clear. Histological and immunohistochemical results showed that cartilage matrix and collagen type Ⅱ were deposited, and there was cartilage lacuna formation, which confirmed the formation of cartilage tissue.ConclusionThe 3D bioprinted hADSCs-GelMA composite scaffold has a stable 3D structure and high cell viability, and can be induced differentiation into cartilage tissue, which can be used to construct tissue engineered cartilage in vivo and in vitro.