Objective To investigate bio characteristics of bone stromal cells (MSC) in different concentrations of alginate combined with xenograft. Methods The configuration and secretion of MSC in different concentrations of alginate combined with xenograft were observed by scanning electron microscope and inverted microscope. Results When the concentration of alginate was 0.25% or 1%, alginate was equally combined in xenograft, 4% and 8% only on the surface of xenograft. After cultured for 4 days, alginate of 0.25# came off from xenograft. But alginate of 1% was equally combined in xenograft with cell secreting well in alginate. The growth of cells in alginate of 4% was restricted and no cell was seen in alginate of 8%. Conclusion Alginate of 1% is suitable fro constructing carrier of tissue engineering bone.
Objective To investigate the effects of in-vitro monolayer culture and three-dimensional (3-D) alginate microsphere culture on the differentiation of normal human nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs), and to discuss the regulatory mechanism of restoring the phenotype of dedifferentiated NPCs by culturing resveratrol (RES) in 3-D alginate microsphere. Methods Normal human nucleus pulposus tissues were harvested for culture and identification of NPCs from 6 patients with burst lumbar vertebra fracture. NPCs at passages 1, 3, 5, and 7 in the in-vitro monolayer culture were harvested to observe the morphology, cell aging, and proteoglycan expression. The cell proliferation rates of NPCs at passage 1 in-vitro in monolayer culture and in 3-D alginate microsphere culture were detected. NPCs at passage 7 were randomly divided into 3-D alginate microsphere control group (group A), RES group (group B), silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1)- small interfering RNA (siRNA) + RES group (group C), and negative control-siRNA + RES group (group D); and NPCs in the in-vitro monolayer culture was monolayer control group (group E). After corresponding treatment, Western blot was used for determining the protein expressions of SIRT1, Aggrecan, and collagen type II; real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used for detecting SIRT1 mRNA expression. Results The cultured cells were identified to be NPCs. Morphological observation, senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining, and toluidine blue staining showed that dedifferentiation of normal NPCs tended to occur under continuous in-vitro monolayer culture, which was more obvious with increase of passage number. NPCs in 3-D alginate microsphere culture showed significantly lower proliferation rate than NPCs in the in-vitro monolayer culture (P lt; 0.05), but it could significantly improve the protein expressions of collagen type II and Aggrecan in dedifferentiated NPCs, showing significantly difference between groups E and A (P lt; 0.05). The protein expressions of SIRT1, collagen type II, and Aggrecan in group B were significantly improved when compared with that in group A (P lt; 0.05). Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot showed that the expressions of SIRT1 mRNA and proteins in group C were significantly inhibited after transfected with SIRT1-siRNA when compared with those in groups B and D (P lt; 0.05), and the protein expressions of collagen type II and Aggrecan in group C were significantly lower than those in groups B and D (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Continuous in-vitro monolayer culture could efficiently cultivate numerous seeding NPCs, but it is liable to dedifferentiate. In 3-D alginate microsphere culture, RES could restore the phenotype of dedifferentiated NPCs and synthesize more extracellular matrix, which is related to the regulation of SIRT1.
This study was to explore a better three-dimensional (3-D) culture method of chondrocyte. The interpenetrating network (IPN) gel beads were developed through a photo-cross linking reaction with mixed barium ions and calcium ions at the ratio of 5:5 with the methacrylic alginate (MA), which was a chemically conjugated alginate with methacrylic groups. The second generation of primary cartilage cells was encapsulated in the MA gel beads for three weeks. In the designated timing, HE stain, Alamar blue method and Scanning electron microscopic were used to determine the cartilage cells growth, proliferation and the cell distribution in the scaffolds, respectively. The expression of typeⅡcollagen was investigated by an immunohistochemistry assay and the glycosaminoglycan content was quantitatively evaluated with the spectrophotometry of 1, 9 dimethylene blue assay. Compared to the alginate control group, the deposition of glycosaminoglycan was significantly upregulated in IPN-MA gel beads with higher cell proliferation. The secretion of extracellular matrix and proliferation of chondrocyte in methacrylic alginate gel beads were higher than that in Alginate beads. Cells were able to attach, to grow well on the scaffolds under scanning electron microscopy. The result of immunohistochemistry staining of collagen typeⅡwas positive, confirming the maintenance of chondrocyte phenotype in methacrylic alginate gel beads. This study shows a great potential for three-dimensional culture of cartilage.
ObjectiveTo observe the growth characteristics of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) cultured on the alginate gel scaffolds and to explore the feasibility of hUCMSCs-alginate dressing for wound healing. MethodshUCMSCs were separated from human umbilical cords and cultured in vitro. After the 4th passage cells were co-cultured with alginate gel (experimental group), the cell growth characteristics were observed under the inverted phase contrast microscope. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) content was measured and the number of cells was counted at 0, 3, 6, and 9 days after culture; and the cell migration capacity was observed. The hUCMSCs were cultured without alginated gel as control. The model of full-thickness skin defects was established in 32 8-weekold Balb/c male mice and they were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=8): wounds were covered with hUCMSCsalginate gel compound (MSC-gel group), cell supernatants-alginate gel compound (CS-gel group), 10% FBS-alginate gel compound (FBS-gel group), and 0.01 mol/L PBS-alginate compound (PBS-gel group), respectively. Wound healing rates at 5, 10, and 15 days were observed and calculated; and the wound tissues were harvested for histological and immunohistochemical staining to assess new skin conditions at 15 days after operation. ResultshUCMSCs grew well with grape-like proliferation on the alginate gel, but no cell migration was observed at 7 days after cultivation. VEGF expression and cell number in experimental group were significantly less than those in control group at 3 days（P<0.05）; then they gradually increased, and VEGF expression and cell number were significantly more than those in control group at 9 days (P<0.05). The wound healing rates of MSC-gel and CS-gel groups were significantly higher than those of FBSgel and PBS-gel groups at 5, 10, and 15 days (P<0.05). The squamous epithelium, fibroblasts, sebaceous glands, capillaries and VEGF expression of the new skin in MSC-gel and CS-gel groups were significantly more than FBS-gel and PBS-gel groups (P<0.05). But there was no significance between MSC-gel and CS-gel groups (P>0.05). ConclusionhUCMSCs can continuously express VEGF in alginate gel, which is necessary for wound healing. The hUCMSCs-alginate compound is probably a good wound dressing.
ObjectiveTo review the research progress of modern biological dressings. MethodsThe related literature at home and abroad was reviewed, analyzed, and summarized in the progress of biological dressing situation and various types of biological dressing research. ResultsCompared with the traditional dressing, the biological dressing can greatly promote wound healing. Biological dressings are mainly divided into the natural materials, artificial synthetic materials, and drug loaded dressings. The natural material dressings are mainly the alginate dressing, this kind of dressing can promote wound healing, which has been confirmed by a large number of studies. The artificial synthetic materials include film dressings, liquid, water colloids, gels, and foam, each has its own advantages and disadvantages, which can be chosen according to need. The drug dressing can play the role of drug loading, and further promote the wound healing; using microcapsule technology to construct the dressing and choosing Chinese medicine as drugs is the research direction of load. ConclusionThe experiment and clinical application of biological dressing are many types, clinical application prospect is wide, but each has its own advantages and disadvantages, further study is needed to improve its efficacy.
Objective To investigate tissue engineered spinal cord which was constructed of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) seeded on the chitosan-alginate scaffolds bridging the both stumps of hemi-transection spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats to repair the acute SCI. Methods BMSCs were separated and cultured from adult male SD rat. Chitosan-alginate scaffold was produced via freeze drying, of which the structure was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the toxicity was determined through leaching l iquor test. Tissue engineered spinal cord was constructed by seeding second passage BMSCs on the chitosan-alginate scaffolds (1 × 106/mL) in vitro and its biocompatibil ity was observed under SEM at 1, 3, and 5 days. Moreover, 40 adult female SD rats were made SCI models by hemi-transecting at T9 level, and were randomly divided into 4 groups (each group, n=10). Tissue engineered spinal cord or chitosan-alginate scaffolds or BMSCs were implanted in groups A, B, and C, respectively. Group D was blank control whose spinal dura mater was sutured directly. After 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks of surgery, the functional recovery of the hindl imbs was evaluated by the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating score. Other indexes were tested by wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) retrograde tracing, HE staining and immunofluorescence staining after 6 weeks of surgery. Results Chitosan-alginate scaffold showed three-dimensional porous sponge structure under SEM. The cells adhered to and grew on the surface of scaffold, arranging in a directional manner after 3 days of co-culture. The cytotoxicity of chitosan-alginate scaffold was in grade 0-1. At 2, 4, and 6 weeks after operation, the BBB score was higher in group A than in other groups and was lower in group D than in other groups; showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05). At 4 and 6 weeks, the BBB score was higher in group B than in group C (P lt; 0.05). After 6 weeks of operation, WGA-HRP retrograde tracing indicated that there was no regenerated nerve fiber through the both stumps of SCI in each group. HE and immunofluorescence staining revealed that host spinal cord and tissue engineering spinal cord l inked much compactly, no scar tissue grew, and a large number of neurofilament 200 (NF-200) positive fibers and neuron specitic enolase (NSE) positive cells were detected in the lesioned area in group A. In group B, a small quantity of scar tissue intruded into non-degradative chitosan-alginate scaffold at the lesion area edge, and a few of NSE flourescence or NF-200 flourescence was observed at the junctional zone. The both stumps of SCI in group C or group D were filled with a large number of scar tissue, and NSE positive cells or NF-200 positive cells were not detected. Otherwise, there were obviously porosis at the SCI of group D. Conclusion The tissue engineered spinal cord constructed by multi-channel chitosan-alginate bioscaffolds and BMSCs would repair the acute SCI of rat. It would be widely appl ied as the matrix material in the future.
ObjectiveTo compare the application of impression made with machine mixed silicone rubber and alginate on fixed partial denture. MethodsThe fixed prosthesis oral cavity repair patients were continuously enrolled who visited the department of Oramaxillofacial Surgery of West China Stomatology Hospital, Sichuan University form June 2010 to January 2011. They were randomly divided into two groups (machine mixed silicone rubber group and alginate group). After conventional row for teeth, both materials were used to make impression. Then, bubble condition and its grade caused by dental impression were evaluated. Statistical analysis has performed using SPSS 15.0. ResultsA total of 50 fixed prosthesis oral cavity repair patients were included, of which, 25 were in the machine mixed silicone rubber group and 25 in the alginate group. Compared with alginate, the impression made with machine mixed silicone rubber was higher of grade (Z=-3.890, P < 0.001), smoother (t=4.196, P < 0.001), higher precision than the alginate group. ConclusionCompared with alginate, the mixed silicone rubber for making oral fixed prosthesis machine impression is higher in precision, clearer in the gum line, which is good for late production of denture.
ObjectiveTo analyze standards of alginate-based medical devices at home and abroad, and to emphasize key issues of quality control that should be concerned about.MethodsBased on investigation of alginate application in medical devices and alginate-related medical standards, alginate-related technical indicators and quality control points were comprehensively analyzed.ResultsWith the rapid development of alginate-based medical materials and medical devices, the relevant standards at home and abroad have been elaborated on the basic technical indicators and detection methods. In addition to Chinese Pharmacopoeia, China has issued one alginate standard for tissue engineering and three alginate related product standards.ConclusionConsidering the special physical and chemical properties of alginate, researchers also need to focus on the sterilization method, expiry date, molecular weight, and ratio of α-L-guluronic acid to β-D-mannuronic acid of alginate, and impurity content.
ObjectiveTo review the application status and research progress of alginate dressings. MethodsThe related home and abroad literature was reviewed, and the relevant product standards and regulations were summarized. ResultsAlginate dressings have been widely used in clinical because of the characteristics of anti-infection and promoting wound healing. It is mainly used on the wound surface and filled in the wound. Pure alginate dressing is limited in promoting wound healing. A large number of studies are devoted to promoting the activity with other polymer composite to get better dressing. In addition, the industry standards and regulation of alginate dressing products are also gradually improved and standardized. ConclusionAlginate dressing, as an advanced bio-dressing, whose effectiveness has been confirmed, its derivative dressings are also continuously expanding.