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[Effect of controlled release microspheres incorporating bFGF on Schwann cells]
Bin Shen1, Fu-Xing Pei, Jian Chen
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Objective:
To investigate the effects of controlled release microspheres (Ms) incorporating bFGF on the cultured Schwann cells.
Methods:
The secondary cultured Schwann cells were divided into three groups according to the different ingredients being added to the DMEM culture medium: bFGF group, and bFGF-PLGA-Ms group, and bFGF-PELA-Ms group. At different times after culture, the proliferative Schwann cells were collected from three groups individually. Then the number of Schwann cells was measured with cell counting method, the viability of Schwann cells was measured with MTT method and the cell cycle of Schwann cells was measured with flow cytometry.
Results:
The in vitro cellular study showed that 1, 2 days after plate culture, the number of cells and the cell viability of bFGF group were significantly larger than those of bFGF-PLGA-Ms group and bFGF-PELA-Ms group. 3, 4 days after plate culture, the number of cells and the cell viability of bFGF group and bFGF-PLGA-Ms group were significantly larger than those of bFGF-PELA-Ms group. 6, 8 days after plate culture, the number of cells and the cell viability of bFGF-PLGA-Ms group was significantly larger than those of bFGF group and bFGF-PELA-Ms group. For the flow cytometry examination, 2 days after plate culture, the G2/ M+S percentage of bFGF group was the highest, and 4, 8 days after plate culture, the G2/M+S percentage of bFGF-PLGA-Ms group was the highest.
Conclusion:
Free bFGF can promote the proliferation of Schwann cells in a short period, while bFGF-PLGA-Ms can promote the proliferation of Schwann cells in a long period because of the controlled release of bFGF from microspheres. bFGF-PELA-Ms meets the property requirement of controlled release, but the biological activity of released bFGF is destroyed partially.
Insights
Controlled release microspheres incorporating basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) show promise for sustained Schwann cell proliferation. bFGF-PLGA-Ms effectively promote long-term cell growth, unlike free bFGF or bFGF-PELA-Ms.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cell Biology
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Schwann cells are crucial for peripheral nerve regeneration.
- Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a potent mitogen for Schwann cells.
- Controlled release systems are being explored to optimize bFGF delivery for therapeutic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of bFGF-loaded microspheres (Ms) in promoting cultured Schwann cell proliferation.
- To compare the effects of bFGF-PLGA-Ms and bFGF-PELA-Ms against free bFGF on Schwann cell behavior.
Main Methods:
- Cultured secondary Schwann cells were divided into three groups: free bFGF, bFGF-PLGA-Ms, and bFGF-PELA-Ms.
- Cell proliferation was assessed using cell counting and MTT assays.
- Cell cycle analysis was performed using flow cytometry at various time points.
Main Results:
- Free bFGF significantly increased cell number and viability in the initial 1-2 days.
- bFGF-PLGA-Ms demonstrated superior long-term promotion of Schwann cell proliferation and viability from day 6 onwards.
- Cell cycle analysis indicated prolonged G2/M+S phase percentages with bFGF-PLGA-Ms at later time points.
Conclusions:
- Free bFGF provides short-term Schwann cell proliferation.
- bFGF-PLGA-Ms offer sustained bFGF release, promoting long-term Schwann cell proliferation.
- bFGF-PELA-Ms showed controlled release but with partial loss of bFGF biological activity.
