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Isolation and Characterization of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Human Umbilical Cord and Fetal Placenta
Published on: April 3, 2017
Mannitol-containing macroporous calcium phosphate cement encapsulating human umbilical cord stem cells
Minghui Tang1, Michael D Weir, Hockin H K Xu
1Department of Endodontics, Prosthodontics and Operative Dentistry, University of Maryland Dental School, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
|March 29, 2011
Summary
This study developed a novel bone graft material using human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) within a porous calcium phosphate cement (CPC). The material shows promise for bone regeneration, offering good cell viability and osteogenic differentiation.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Orthopedic Engineering
Background:
- Stem cell-based tissue engineering is crucial for bone regeneration.
- Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) offer a viable alternative to bone marrow MSCs.
- Calcium phosphate cement (CPC) is a promising scaffold for bone tissue engineering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a self-setting CPC incorporating hUCMSCs for bone tissue engineering.
- To create a porous scaffold using mannitol as a porogen.
- To evaluate the viability and osteogenic differentiation of encapsulated hUCMSCs.
Main Methods:
- hUCMSCs were encapsulated in alginate beads and mixed into CPC paste.
- Mannitol was incorporated into CPC to create macropores, and absorbable fibers were added to enhance strength.
- Cell viability, porosity, flexural strength, gene expression (ALP, OC), and mineralization were assessed.
Main Results:
- Porosity increased from 49% to 64% with mannitol and fibers (p < 0.05).
- Flexural strength increased from 0.3 MPa to 2.0 MPa with fibers.
- hUCMSC viability remained >80%, with significantly increased ALP and OC gene expression and mineralization in constructs containing mannitol.
Conclusions:
- A novel mannitol-containing porous CPC-hUCMSC construct was successfully developed.
- The scaffold provides injectable, self-setting, load-bearing capabilities with good cell viability and osteogenic potential.
- This promising scaffold is suitable for orthopedic and craniofacial bone regeneration applications.

