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A three-dimensional nanofibrous scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering using human mesenchymal stem cells
W-J Wan-Ju Li1, Richard Tuli, Chukwuka Okafor
1Department of Health and Human Services, Cartilage Biology and Orthopaedics Branch, National Institute of Arthritis, and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Biomaterials
|July 30, 2004
Summary
Polycaprolactone nanofibrous scaffolds support mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) chondrogenesis for cartilage repair. This study shows PCL scaffolds are a viable carrier for MSC transplantation in tissue engineering.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Adult stem cells offer solutions for tissue and organ shortages.
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into chondrocytes under specific conditions.
- Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is crucial for chondrogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and evaluate a poly(-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibrous scaffold (NFS) for in vitro chondrogenesis of MSCs.
- To assess the PCL NFS's ability to support the differentiation of MSCs into chondrocytes.
- To determine the suitability of PCL NFS as a carrier for MSC transplantation in cartilage repair.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of electrospun PCL nanofibrous scaffolds with uniform, randomly oriented nanofibers (700 nm diameter).
- Culture of MSCs on PCL NFSs in the presence of TGF-beta1.
- Assessment of chondrogenesis through gene expression and extracellular matrix (ECM) protein synthesis.
- Comparison of chondrogenesis in NFSs versus traditional cell pellet cultures.
Main Results:
- PCL NFS maintained structural integrity over a 21-day culture period.
- MSCs cultured on PCL NFSs in the presence of TGF-beta1 exhibited a chondrocytic phenotype.
- Chondrocyte-specific gene expression and cartilage-associated ECM protein synthesis were observed.
- The level of chondrogenesis was comparable to MSCs cultured as cell aggregates.
Conclusions:
- PCL NFS effectively supports in vitro chondrogenesis of MSCs.
- The PCL NFS demonstrates superior physical and mechanical properties compared to cell pellets.
- PCL NFS is a practical carrier for MSC transplantation and a promising scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering.