Osteochondral repair using porous poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide)/nano‐hydroxyapatite hybrid scaffolds with undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells in a rat model

Abstract

In this study, a novel three-dimensional poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)/nano-hydroxyapatite (NHA) scaffold was fabricated by a thermally induced phase separation technique and its potential application in cartilage tissue-engineering was investigated. The PLGA scaffold was used as a control and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were seeded in both scaffolds. After 12-days culture, SEM images and confocal laser scanning microscopy illustrated that MSCs attached more moderately and more cells distributed in PLGA/NHA scaffolds. MTT test and DNA assay showed that the viability and proliferation of MSCs in PLGA/NHA scaffolds were significantly superior to PLGA scaffolds during in vitro culture. Through in vivo study, the efficacy of this scaffold combining with MSCs for repairing articular osteochondral defects was evaluated in a rat model. Osteochondral defects in rats knees were left untreated, or treated with PLGA/NHA-MSCs composites or PLGA-MSCs composites. Twelve weeks after operation, histological examination revealed that the defects in the PLGA/NHA-MSCs treated group were filled with smooth and hyaline-like cartilage with abundant glycosaminoglycan and collagen type II deposition, but deficient in collagen type I at 12 weeks after operation. To investigate the final fate of MSCs transplanted into the defect areas, the fluorescent dye CM-DiI was used to prelabel cells. At 12 weeks after transplantation, we still observed the red fluorescence in the repair area. These findings suggest that the PLGA/NHA-MSCs composite may be potentially used for cartilage repair in clinical application. (c) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010.

Bioengineering of Articular Cartilage: Past, Present and Future

“…Degradation by-products has been shown to elicit inflammatory response and decreased pH level [98] Mechanical stiffness can sometimes be undesirable [196] Hydrophobicity [196] [197]; [198]; [199]; [197]; [200]; [201]; [202]; [203]; [204]; [205];;…”

Osteochondral Repair Using Porous Three-dimensional Nanocomposite Scaffolds in a Rabbit Model

“…When comparing the mean histological assessment scores of specimens studied in our own research (Table I) it should be noted that values increased with time in the study subgroups -from 11.67 after the first month to 24.83 after 6 months. The maximum score possible on the scale used is 26 points (27,28). The obtained results are positive and evidence of progression of cartilage reparation stimulated by the presence of the implant and of the good quality of the newly formed tissue.…”

“…The scale proposed by O'Driscoll et al was used for the spot histological analysis of selected parameters in the newly-formed tissue: surface regularity, matrix composition, thickness of neo-formed cartilage, bonding to adjacent cartilage, chondrocyte distribution, cell population viability, subchondral bone composition, type-II collagen staining of the matrix, degenerative changes in adjacent cartilage, presence of inflammation (27,28). The mean results of the histological assessment are presented in Table I.…”

“…In all cases, the surface was irregular with the presence of deep fissures. In the in vivo 31: 895-903 (2017) 898 (27) and (28 corresponding control sub-group, the defect was mostly filled with fibrocartilage-like tissue, closely adhering to the edge of the defect. In three control rabbits, tissue with irregular surface was observed, reaching beyond the level of the adjacent cartilage.…”

Nanotechnology Advances in Drug Delivery

“…Given the properties of biocompatibility and biodegradability of the nanoparticles, many studies now exist on the use of nanomaterials to prolong the expression of proteins for improved angiogenesis and recruitment of stem cells for tissue and organ regeneration (i.e., cardiac and vascular tissues [57,58]). Among the others, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), PEGylated multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) [59], chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) [60], poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffolds [61], polycaprolactones (PCL) scaffolds [62], poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) [63], polyethyleneimine (PEI) have been already explored [64].…”