Objective To investigate the effect of homograft of marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) seeded onto poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)/gelatin on repair of articular cartilage defects. Methods The MSCs derived from36 Qingzilan rabbits, aging 4 to 6 months and weighed 2.5-3.5 kg were cultured in vitroand seeded onto PLLA/gelatin. The MSCs/ PLLA/gelatin composite was cultured and transplanted into full thickness defects on intercondylar fossa. Thirty-six healthy Qingzilan rabbits were made models of cartilage defects in the intercondylar fossa. These rabbits were divided into 3 groups according to the repair materials with 12 in each group: group A, MSCs and PLLA/gelatin complex(MSCs/ PLLA/gelatin); group B, only PLLA/gelatin; and group C, nothing. At 4,8 and 12 weeks after operation, the gross, histological and immunohistochemical observations were made, and grading scales were evaluated. Results At 12 weeks after transplantation, defect was repaired and the structures of the cartilage surface and normal cartilage was in integrity. The defects in group A were repaired by the hylinelike tissue and defects in groups B and C were repaired by the fibrous tissues. Immunohistochemical staining showed that cells in the zones of repaired tissues were larger in size, arranged columnedly, riched in collagen Ⅱ matrix and integrated satisfactorily with native adjacent cartilages and subchondral bones in group A at 12 weeks postoperatively. In gross score, group A(2.75±0.89) was significantly better than group B (4.88±1.25) and group C (7.38±1.18) 12 weeks afteroperation, showing significant differences (P＜0.05); in histological score, group A (3.88±1.36) was better than group B (8.38±1.06) and group C (13.13±1.96), and group B was better than group C, showing significant differences (P＜0.05). Conclusion Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells seeded onto PLLA/gelatin is a promising way for the treatment of cartilage defects.
Objective To explore the histological changes of bio-derived bone prepared by different methods after implantation, and to provide the scaffold material from xenogeneic animal for tissue engineering. Methods Theextremities of porcine femur were cut into 0.5 cm×0.5 cm×0.5 cm. Then they were divided into 5 groups according to different preparation methods: group A was fresh bone just repeatedly rinsed by saline; group B was degreased; group C was degreased and decalcificated; group D was degreased, acellular and decalcificated; group E wasdegreased and acellular. All the materials were implantated into femoral muscle pouch of rabbit after 25 kGy irradiation sterilization. The cell counting ofinflammatory cells and osteoclasts, HE and Masson staining, material degradation, collagen and new bone formation were observed at 2, 6, and 12 weeks postoperatively. Results The residue level of trace element in biomaterials prepared by different methods is in line with the standards. All the animals survived well. There were no tissue necrosis, fluid accumulation or inflammation at all implantation sites at each time point. The inflammatory cells counting was most in group A, and there was significant difference compared with other groups(P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in osteoclasts counting among all groups. For the index of HE and Masson staining, collagen and new bone formation, groups C and D were best, group E was better, and groups A and B were worse. Conclusion The degreased, acellular and decalcificated porcine bone is better in degradation,bone formation, and lower inflammatory reaction, it can be used better scaffold material for tissue engineered bone.
Objective To study the construction feasibility of a biodegradable artificial esophagus by the squamous epithelial cells and the myoblast cells seeded on the small intestinal submucosa(SIS) and to investigate the growth patternand angiogenesis of the co-cultured human embryonic squamous epithelial cells and the skeletal myoblasts in vivo. Methods The squamous epithelial cells and the myoblast cells were obtained from the 20-week aborted fetus. Both of their cellswere marked by 5-BrdU in vitro.The isolated cells were then seeded on the SIS and co-cultured in vitro for 24 hours, and then the compound of the cells and the SIS was transplanted into the subcutaneous tissue of the athymismus mice. The observation on the morphology and the cytokeratin AE3 and α-actin specified immunohistochemistry of the squamous epithelial cells and the myoblastcells was performed at each of the following time points: 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 3 weeks after transplantation. Results The morphological observation indicated that the cultured cells could penetrate into the small intestinal submucosa and form several-layered cell structures, and that the compound of the cells and the SIS could have angiogenesis within 2-3 weeks. The 5-BrdU specified immunohistochemical observation suggested that the cells growing in the small intestinal submucosa scaffold might be the cells transplanted.The cytokeratin AE3 specified and α-actin specified immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that the transplanted cells could differentiate in vivo. Conclusion It is possible to fabricate the framework of a biodegradable artificial esophagus with the epithelial cells and the myoblast cells seeded on the small intestinal submucosa.
【Abstract】 Objective To reconstruct three different kinds of tympanic membrane in vitro by tissue engineeringtechnique, and to examine their histological structures and mechanical properties. Methods The skin and dura of pig(weight 30 kg) were processed with high satuated sal ine and enzymes to make extracellular matrix. Meanwhile, fibroblasts(1×106 /mL,0.2 mL) were seeded on the surface of these two scaffolds and collagen. The composite tissues were cultured in vitro for 1 week and examined in histological structure and mechanical properties. Results Fibroblasts cultured were spindle–shaped and could grow and attach to these scaffolds with a arrangement of sarciniform and parallel. The reconstructed tissue of ECM and collagen appeared to integrate well and had better bio-compatibil ity. The mean thickness of the collagen, the skin and the dura (all covered with fibroblasts) were 9.4, 10.0 and 10.4 μm respectively. The tension of the collagen was (1.417±0.030) N/mm2, of the acellular dermal matrix was (24.500±2.040) N/mm2(being close to the tension of normal tympanic membrane, 26.700 N/ mm2),of the acellular dura was (53.300±2.600) N/mm2. Conclusion The results suggest that the tension and the thinkness of acellular dermal matrix is similar to the normal tympanic membrane of guinea pig, it is an ideal material for tympanoplasty.
Objective To observe the biocompatibility of the acellular corneal stroma materials prepared by three different methods. Methods Three different serial digestion methods were used to produce the acellular corneal stroma materials. The biocompatibility of the materials was investigated by the cell seeding and the materials were implanted into the rabbit corneal stroma layer. Results The cells in the materials 1 and 2 were not decellularized completely. The rabbit corneal fibroblasts died on the materials 1 and 2 after the cell seeding for 3-4 days. An obvious rejection could be observed after the implantation. The cells in material 3 were decellularized completely and the collagen fibers or elastic fibers were reserved integrally，showing a typical three-dimensional net work. The rabbit corneal fibroblasts could expand on the materials in vitro. No obvious rejection could be observed and the materials were gradually absorbed. Conclusion The acellular porcine cornea stroma materials prepared by trypsin-Dnase-Rnase are suitable for reconstruction of the tissue engineered cornea.
Objective The amniotic carrier complex membrane, which contains bFGF and vitamin C (VitC) and is loaded with BMSCs, is planted into the deeply-partial wounds of rabbits. To explore its influence on the epidermis renascence and regenerating speed in the process of the dermis restore. Methods BMSCs were isolated from the marrows of 24 healthy3-month-old New Zealand rabbits, male or female, weighing 1.0-1.5 kg. The BMSCs were cultured in vitro and purified, and then amniotic carrier complex membrane was prepared, whose size was 4.52 cm2. Three deep-partial wounds, with the area of about 3.14 cm2, were produced on the back of each rabbit. All the wounds were randomly divided into 3 groups: group A, group B and group C. Group A was the experimental group in which the amniotic carrier complex membrane was planted, including 1 ml BMSCs, 10 mL bFGF (0.2 mg/L) and 10 mL VitC (0.02 g/L). In group B, the amniotic carrier complex membrane was planted, including only 1 mL BMSCs. In group C, the amniotic carrier complex membrane alone was planted. After the operation, general observation was conducted. At postoperative 7, 14 and 21 days, respectively, the observation by HE, Masson, Van Giesonr staining and immunohistochemical staining of collagen type I was performed. The ink perfusion method was performed to evaluate the velocity and the qual ity of the wound heal ing after the transplantation. Results All the wounds obtained good heal ing. At 14 days after the operation, the ratio of wound heal ing was 60%, 41% and 23% in groups A, B and C, respectively. At 21 days after the operation, the the ratio of wound heal ing was 99%, 90% and 81% in groups A, B and C, respectively. There were significant differences between any two groups (P lt; 0.05). The depth of the newborn dermis, the number of the active collagen type I mascul ine cells and the number of the blood vessels in group A were better and more than in group B. And those in group B were better and more than in group C. At the exterior area of the newborn dermis, there was lots of regenerated epidermis from the peripheral normal skin, which in group A was better than in group B, and in group B was better than in group C. onclusion The amniotic carrier complex membrane transplanted to deep-partial wounds, which is appended withBMSCs, bFGF and VitC, can accelerate repair and reconstruction of the dermis. There has an optimal time of the renascence and regeneration of the epidermis in the process of dermis repair.
Objective To explore the biocompatibility of poly(lacticacid/glycolic acid/asparagic acid-co-polyethylene glycol) biomaterials (PLGA-ASP-PEG) and biological behaviors of cultured marrow stroml stem cells (MSCs) combined with this new type of scaffold in tissue engineering. Methods The PLGA-ASP-PEG tri-block copolymers were obtained through bulk ringopening copolymerization method.MSCs were isolated from the bone marrow of 4 week old New Zealand rabbits. The 3rdgeneration MSCs were cultured combining with PLGA-ASP-PEG in vitro, while cells cultured in PLGA as control group. The cell adhesion rate and the adhesivepower were examined by conventional precipitation method and micropipette aspiration technique respectively. The morphological features were studied by scanning electron microscope. The proliferation behavior of the cells was analyzed by MTT assay. The cell cycle, proliferation index, DNA index and apoptosis of the cells were detected by flow cytometry. The synthesis of protein and collagen were examined by Coomassie Brilliant Blue dyes and 3H-Proline incorporation test. Results The MSCs adhered and grew well on the surface of the biomaterial PLGA-ASP-PEG. The powers of cell adhesion, proliferation and protein and collagen synthesis of the cells were all significantly higher than those of PLGA group (P＜0.05), but the apoptosis rate was significantly lower than that of PLGA group (P＜0.05). The DNA indexes showed the cells of both PLGA-ASP-PEG group and PLGAgroup were normal diploid cells. Conclusion PLGA-ASP-PEG showedgood biocompatibilityand the biological properties improved greatly compared with the PLGA scaffold materials. These results demonstrated that the promise of PLGAASPPEG canbe used as an ideal scaffold material for construction of tissue engineered bone to restore bone defects in bone tissue engineering．
Objective To evaluate repair of critical-sized cranialdefect with tissue engineered bone fabricated by coral, bone mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) and sustainedly released recombinant human bone morphogenetic -protein 2 (rhBMP-2) by collagen. Methods Three scaffolds of rhBMP-2+coral,collagen+rhBMP-2+coral and MSCs+collagen+rhBMP-2+coral were fabricated. Forty New Zealand rabbits were made the models of critical-sized defects and divided into5 groups according to different implants: group Ⅰ, auto-ilium; group Ⅱ,coral; group Ⅲ, rhBMP-2+coral; grop Ⅳ, collagen+rhBMP-2+coral; and group Ⅴ,MSCs+collagen+rhBMP-2+coral. Repair of bone defect was evaluated after 8 and 16 weeks of implantation by gross obeservation, X-ray,HE staining and Masson’s trichrome staining. Results Repair ofbone defect in group Ⅴ was similar to that in group Ⅰ, andwas better than that in group Ⅳ; and group Ⅲ was worse. The gross appearance showed that defect region filled with bony tissue which had similar strength to adjacent bone and formed bone union with surrounding bone. The X-ray result displayed high radiopacity(80.45%±2.52% in the 16thweek). Histological observation showed new lamellar bone tissue and with few pore blank area. However, only transpasent fibrous tissue filled the defect in group Ⅱ. Conclusion Collagen may be a suitable sustained release system for rhBMP-2. And MSCs may have important effect on enhancing repair of bone defect. Tissueengineered bone fabricated by MSCs+collagen+rhBMP-2+coral may be a useful material for bone defect repair.
Objective To explore an experimental method of transfecting the marrow stromal stem cells (MSCs) with the reconstructed PGL3-t ransforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) gene and to evaluate the feasibility of selfinduction of MSCs to the chondrocytes in vitro so as to provide a scientific and experimental basis for a further “gene enhanced tissue engineering” research. Methods The rabbit MSCs was transfected with the reconstructed PGL3-TGF-β1gene by the Liposo mesMethod, the growth of the cells were observed, and the growth curve was drawn. The living activity of the transfected cells in the experimental group was evalua ted by MTT, and the result was significantly different when compared with that in the control group. By the immunohistochemistry method (SABC), the antigens of TGF-β1 and collagen Ⅱ were examined at 2 and 7 days of the cell culture afte r transfe ction with PGL3-TGF-β1gene. The pictures of the immunohistochemistry slice were analyzed with the analysis instrument, and the statistical analysis was perfor med with the software of the SPSS 11.0, compared with the control group and the blank group. Results Transfection of the cultured rabbit MSCs in vitro with the reconstructed PGL3-TGF-β1gene by the Liposomes Method achie ved a success, with a detection of the Luceraferase activity. The result was significantly different from that in the control group (Plt;0.01). Tested by MTT, the living acti vity of the transfected cells was proved to be significantly decreased (Plt;0.01 vs. the control group). By the immunohistochemistry method (SABC) to study TGF-β1 positive particles were detected in the experimental group，but there were no positive particles in the control and the blank groups. There was a significant difference between the two groups of the experiment and the control group based on the analysis of the ttest (Plt;0.01). By the immunohistochemistry me thod (SABC) to study collagen Ⅱ, there were more positive particles in the transfected cells in t he experimental group than in the control and the blank groups, and there was a significant difference between the experimental group and the two other groups based on the t-test (Plt;0.01). Conclusion Transfection of the rabbit MSCs with the reconstructed PGL3-TGF-β1 gene by the Liposomes Method is successful. There may be some damage to the cells when transfection is performed. The transfecte d BMS cells with PGL3-TGF-β1 gene can express and excrete TGF-β1when cultured in vitro. The transfected MSCs that secret TGF-β1 can be self-induced into the chondrocytes after being infected for 7 days when cultured in vitro.
OBJECTIVE: To sum up the clinical results of bio-derived bone transplantation in orthopedics with tissue engineering technique. METHODS: From January 2000 to May 2002, 52 cases with various types of bone defect were treated with tissue engineered bone, which was constructed in vitro by allogeneous osteoblasts from periosteum (1 x 10(6)/ml) with bio-derived bone scaffold following 3 to 7 days co-culture. Among them, there were 7 cases of bone cyst, 22 cases of non-union or malunion of old fracture, 15 cases of fresh comminuted fracture of bone defect, 4 cases of spinal fracture and posterior route spinal fusion, 3 cases of bone implant of alveolar bone, 1 case of fusion of tarsotarsal joint. The total weight of tissue engineered bone was 349 g in all the cases, averaged 6.7 g in each case. RESULTS: All the cases were followed up after operation, averaged in 18.5 months. The wound in all the case healed by first intention, but 1 case with second intention. Bone union was completed within 3 to 4.5 months in 50 cases, but 2 cases of delayed union. Six cases were performed analysis of CD3, CD4, CD8, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 before and after operation, and no obvious abnormities were observed. CONCLUSION: Bio-derived tissue engineered bone has good osteogenesis. No obvious rejection and other complications are observed in the clinical application.