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Published on: February 24, 2016
[Construction of injectable tissue engineered nucleus pulposus in vitro]
Huake Tian1, Jian Wang, Chao Chen
1Department of Orthopedics, Xinqiao Hospital, the Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, P.R. China.
Summary
Thermo-sensitive chitosan hydrogel shows promise as an injectable scaffold for tissue-engineered nucleus pulposus (NP). This material supports NP cell viability and extracellular matrix production, indicating potential for regenerative therapies.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- The nucleus pulposus (NP) is crucial for spinal disc function.
- Degenerative disc disease necessitates novel regenerative strategies.
- Tissue engineering offers a promising approach for NP repair.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of a thermo-sensitive chitosan hydrogel as a scaffold for injectable nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue engineering.
- To assess the biocompatibility and cell-supporting capabilities of the hydrogel for NP cells.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and culture of neonatal rabbit NP cells.
- Fabrication of a thermo-sensitive chitosan hydrogel scaffold.
- Construction of tissue-engineered NP by combining hydrogel and NP cells.
- Assessment of cell viability, morphology, extracellular matrix (ECM) production, and gene expression (Col II, aggrecan) via histology, SEM, and RT-PCR.
Main Results:
- The chitosan hydrogel demonstrated thermo-sensitivity, gelling at 37°C.
- NP cell viability within the hydrogel exceeded 90%.
- SEM confirmed NP cells distributed within the scaffold, secreting ECM.
- RT-PCR indicated significantly higher Col II and aggrecan mRNA expression in 3D-cultured NP cells compared to monolayer culture (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Thermo-sensitive chitosan hydrogel exhibits excellent cellular compatibility for NP cells.
- The hydrogel facilitates maintenance of normal NP cell morphology and function.
- This hydrogel represents a potential carrier for developing tissue-engineered NP therapies.
