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Electrospinning Growth Factor Releasing Microspheres into Fibrous Scaffolds
Published on: August 16, 2014
Preparation and in vitro activity of controlled release microspheres incorporating bFGF
Bin Shen1, Fu-xing Pei, Hong Duan
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Objective:
To study the preparative method of controlled release microspheres incorporating basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and the bioactivities of bFGF, which were released from bFGF microspheres, on the cultured Schwann cells.
Methods:
bFGF was microcapsulated with the multiple emulsion encapsulative method using polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) as coating material. Its morphology, particle size distribution, drug loading, enveloping rate and in vitro release property were studied. The cultured Schwann cells were grouped according to the different ingredients being added to the culture medium of bFGF group or bFGF-PLGA group. Then the cytometry, cytoactivity detection and mitotic cycle analysis of Schwann cells were performed.
Results:
The morphology and the particle size distribution of the bFGF-PLGA microspheres were even and good. The drug loading and enveloping rate of microspheres were (27.18 x 10(-3))%+/-(0.51 x 10(-3))% and 66.43%+/-1.24%. The release property of microspheres in vitro was good and the overall release rate was 72.47% in 11 days. The in vitro cellular study showed that: at the first 2 days of plate culture, the cell number and viability of the bFGF group were statistically higher than the bFGF-PLGA group; at the 3rd and 4th days of plate culture, the cell number and viability of bFGF and bFGF-PLGA groups showed no difference; at the 6th and 8th days of the plate culture, the cell number and viability of the bFGF-PLGA group were statistically higher than the bFGF group. By flow cytometry examination, at the 2nd day of plate culture, the G2/M+S percentage of bFGF group was statistically higher than the bFGF-PLGA group, at the 4th and 8th days of plate culture, the G2/M+S percentage of the bFGF-PLGA group was statistically higher than the bFGF group.
Conclusions:
It is practical to prepare the bFGF-PLGA microspheres with the multiple emulsion encapsulative method. bFGF-PLGA microspheres can preserve the bioactivities of bFGF effectively and promote the proliferation of Schwann cells in a long period because of the controlled release of bFGF from the microspheres.
Insights
Controlled release microspheres effectively deliver basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) to promote Schwann cell proliferation. These bFGF-PLGA microspheres maintain bioactivity and support long-term cell growth.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cell Biology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) plays a crucial role in cell proliferation and tissue repair.
- Developing effective delivery systems for growth factors is essential for therapeutic applications.
- Schwann cells are vital for peripheral nerve regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize controlled-release microspheres for bFGF.
- To evaluate the bioactivity and efficacy of bFGF released from these microspheres on cultured Schwann cells.
- To optimize the preparation method for bFGF-PLGA microspheres.
Main Methods:
- bFGF was microencapsulated using a multiple emulsion method with polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA).
- Microsphere characteristics including morphology, particle size, drug loading, and in vitro release were analyzed.
- Cultured Schwann cells were treated with bFGF or bFGF-PLGA microspheres, followed by cytometry, cytoactivity, and mitotic cycle analysis.
Main Results:
- bFGF-PLGA microspheres exhibited good morphology, particle size distribution, and controlled in vitro release over 11 days.
- Initial cell viability and number were higher with free bFGF, but bFGF-PLGA microspheres showed superior results at later time points (days 6-8).
- Flow cytometry indicated increased Schwann cell proliferation (G2/M+S phase) with bFGF-PLGA microspheres at days 4 and 8.
Conclusions:
- The multiple emulsion method is practical for preparing bFGF-PLGA microspheres.
- bFGF-PLGA microspheres effectively preserve bFGF bioactivity.
- Controlled release of bFGF from PLGA microspheres promotes long-term Schwann cell proliferation.
