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An injectable vehicle for nucleus pulposus cell-based therapy.
Estelle C Collin1, Sibylle Grad, Dimitrios I Zeugolis
1Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials, MDRG & NFB Building, National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG), IDA Business Park, Newcastle Rd., Galway, Ireland.
Biomaterials
|February 1, 2011
Summary
This study developed a stable injectable hydrogel using type II collagen and hyaluronic acid for nucleus pulposus (NP) repair. The hydrogel effectively supports NP cell function, showing promise for intervertebral disc regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Injectable hydrogels offer a promising approach for nucleus pulposus (NP) repair by serving as cell delivery reservoirs and mimicking the native tissue environment.
- Developing stable and biocompatible hydrogels is crucial for effective NP regeneration strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of a stabilized type II collagen hydrogel, cross-linked with poly(ethylene glycol) ether tetrasuccinimidyl glutarate (4S-StarPEG) and enriched with hyaluronic acid (HA), for NP repair.
- To optimize hydrogel stabilization and evaluate its impact on encapsulated NP cell behavior and phenotype.
Main Methods:
- Type II collagen hydrogels were cross-linked using 4S-StarPEG, and stabilization was assessed via free amine group quantification, enzymatic degradation resistance, and gelation time.
- Cytotoxicity of 4S-StarPEG was evaluated using adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs).
- Nucleus pulposus (NP) cells were encapsulated within type II collagen/HA hydrogels at varying HA concentrations, and their proliferation, gene expression, distribution, and morphology were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Successful cross-linking of collagen was confirmed by a significant decrease in free amine groups (p < 0.05).
- Hydrogel gelation occurred rapidly (8 min at 37 °C) and was independent of 4S-StarPEG concentration.
- The 1 mm cross-linked hydrogel demonstrated superior stability against enzymatic degradation (p < 0.05), and 4S-StarPEG showed no toxicity to ADSCs.
- Encapsulated NP cells maintained high viability (>80%) and proliferation was not inhibited by HA. Gene expression analysis indicated that HA did not alter the NP cell phenotype or type I collagen mRNA expression after seven days.
Conclusions:
- The optimized type II collagen/HA hydrogel system is stable, biocompatible, and supports NP cell viability and function.
- This injectable hydrogel shows significant potential as a cell reservoir for intervertebral disc regeneration therapies.
