The use of fibrin beads for tissue engineering and subsequential transplantation

New biological technologies such as tissue engineering procedures require the transplantation of functionally active cells within supportive carrier matrices. This paper describes a sequential culture procedure for different types of cells. The technique includes the initial preparation of a mixed alginate-fibrin vehicle that guaranteed an initial cell proliferation and differentiation to establish a stable matrix structure, and the subsequent removal of the alginate component prior to transplantation to circumvent the problem of missing bioresorbability. The resulting biodegradable carrier is mechanically stable and promotes further tissue maturation. Chondrocytes, periosteal-derived cells, as well as nucleus pulposus cells were entrapped in fibrin-alginate beads and in fibrin beads. The results indicate a promising technical approach to create stable transplants for reconstructive surgery of cartilage and bone.