Gelatin-based resorbable sponge as a carrier matrix for human mesenchymal stem cells in cartilage regeneration therapy

Abstract

Adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), found in the bone marrow, have the potential to differentiate into multiple connective tissue types, including cartilage. In this study, we examined the potential of a porous gelatin sponge, Gelfoam, for use as a delivery vehicle for MSCs in cartilage regeneration therapy. Adult human MSCs (hMSCs) were seeded throughout the gelatin sponge after a 2-h incubation period. When cultured for 21 days in vitro in a defined medium supplemented with 10 ng/mL of TGF-beta 3, hMSC/Gelfoam constructs produced a cartilage-like extracellular matrix containing sulfated glycosaminoglycans (s-GAGs) and type-II collagen, as evident upon histologic evaluation. Constructs loaded with a cell suspension of 12 x 10(6) cells/mL produced an extracellular matrix containing 21 microg of s-GAG/microg of DNA after 21 days of culture. This production was more efficient than constructs loaded at higher or lower cell densities, indicating that the initial seeding density influences the ability of cells to produce extracellular matrix. When implanted in an osteochondral defect in the rabbit femoral condyle, Gelfoam cylinders were observed to be very biocompatible, with no evidence of immune response or lymphocytic infiltration at the site. Based on these observations we conclude that Gelfoam resorbable gelatin sponge is a promising candidate as a carrier matrix for MSC-based cartilage regeneration therapies.

Stem cells and cell therapies for cystic fibrosis and other lung diseases

“…This suggests that culture of stem cells in an artificial scaffolding in medium conducive to lung epithleial development may be a robust means of lung regeneration than achieved with routine tissue culturing [29][30][31][32][33].…”

Chondrogenic differentiation of bovine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in different hydrogels: Influence of collagen type II extracellular matrix on MSC chondrogenesis

“…Such threedimensional (3-D) support is required for articular chondrocytes to maintain their differentiated phenotype in vitro or for the MSC to undergo chondrogenesis (Lemare et al, 1998). Materials such as agarose, collagen, fibrin, alginate, and biopolymers have all been used as 3-D scaffolds for chondrocytes and MSC cultures (Batorsky et al, 2005;Huang et al, 2004;Kavalkovich et al, 2002;Mueller and Glowacki, 2001;Ponticiello et al, 2000;Wayne et al, 2005).…”

Influence of different commercial scaffolds on the in vitro differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells to nucleus pulposus-like cells

“…To induce MSC chondrogenesis growth factors such as transforming growth factor (TGF)-b1, 2 or 3 [18], bone morphogenetic protein-2 [19], -4 [20], -7 [21] or -14 (GDF-5) [22], have been described to facilitate MSCs differentiation, however the aim of this project was to focus on the differences caused by variety of matrixes. In particular, many studies already described culture of MSCs embedded in several types of scaffolds, such as agarose gels [23], alginate beads [24][25][26], synthetic polymers [27,28] and other biomaterials [29][30][31][32]. These studies provide clear evidence that there is a need of a cell support for enhancing cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions and creating a 3D environment.…”