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Organotypic Collagen I Assay: A Malleable Platform to Assess Cell Behaviour in a 3-Dimensional Context
Published on: October 13, 2011
Development of a three-dimensional transmigration assay for testing cell--polymer interactions for tissue engineering
A Gosiewska1, A Rezania, S Dhanaraj
1Johnson & Johnson Wound Healing Technology Resource Center, Skillman, New Jersey 08858, USA. agosiew@cpcus.jnj.com
Tissue Engineering
|June 29, 2001
Summary
A novel transmigration assay effectively evaluates cell invasion into biodegradable polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering. Bioreactor cultures and growth factors significantly enhanced cell migration, demonstrating the assay
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Scaffold biocompatibility is crucial for tissue engineering (TE).
- Evaluating cell infiltration into scaffolds is essential for TE applications.
- Existing methods for assessing cell migration into scaffolds are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel 3-D transmigration assay for assessing cell invasion into biodegradable polymer scaffolds.
- To evaluate the migration of fibroblasts, chondrocytes, and osteoblasts into scaffolds using this assay.
- To investigate the effects of bioreactor culture and growth factors on cell migration into scaffolds.
Main Methods:
- A 3-D transmigration assay was developed using a cell-populated contracted collagen lattice with a central biodegradable polymer scaffold.
- Fibroblast, chondrocyte, and osteoblast migration into scaffolds was quantified and qualified using image analysis over various culture times.
- Scaffolds were cultured statically or in a rotating bioreactor, with or without recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB (rh-PDGF-BB).
Main Results:
- Chondrocytes migrated into scaffolds under both static and bioreactor conditions, with significantly greater invasion in the bioreactor.
- Osteoblast migration into scaffolds demonstrated a cell density-dependent response.
- Fibroblast invasion into scaffolds was significantly enhanced by the presence of rh-PDGF-BB.
Conclusions:
- The novel 3-D transmigration assay is a rapid and effective system for evaluating cell invasion into potential tissue engineering scaffolds.
- Bioreactor culture conditions and specific growth factors can significantly enhance cell infiltration into scaffolds.
- This assay provides valuable insights for designing and selecting appropriate scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.
