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Fabrication of Decellularized Cartilage-derived Matrix Scaffolds
Published on: January 7, 2019
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Microsphere-Based Osteochondral Scaffolds Carrying Opposing Gradients Of Decellularized Cartilage And Demineralized
Vineet Gupta1, Dina V Lyne2, Amy D Laflin2
1Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States.
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
|August 15, 2020
Summary
Polymeric scaffolds with opposing gradients of decellularized cartilage and demineralized bone matrix did not improve osteochondral regeneration compared to polymer-only controls in rabbits. Further optimization of material concentrations and degradation rates is needed.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Extracellular matrix (ECM) components like demineralized bone matrix (DBM) and cartilage matrix promote progenitor cell activity for osteochondral regeneration.
- Synthetic polymer scaffolds offer structural integrity but lack inherent cell differentiation cues.
- Combining ECM with polymers may enhance osteochondral repair, but requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vivo efficacy of poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microsphere scaffolds with opposing gradients of decellularized cartilage (DCC) and DBM for osteochondral regeneration.
- To compare the regenerative potential of gradient scaffolds against polymer-only scaffolds in a rabbit model.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of PLGA microsphere scaffolds with (GRADIENT) or without (BLANK control) encapsulated DCC and DBM gradients.
- Surgical implantation of scaffolds into rabbit osteochondral defects in the medial femoral condyles.
- Evaluation of repair tissue at 12 weeks post-implantation via gross morphology, mechanical testing, and histology.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in gross morphology or mechanical properties were observed between the GRADIENT and BLANK groups.
- Approximately 30% of implants in both groups showed depressed repair tissue, suggesting rapid polymer degradation.
- Histological analysis revealed fibrous repair tissue with active cell proliferation and matrix deposition in both groups, without adverse inflammatory responses.
Conclusions:
- The hypothesized benefit of opposing DCC and DBM gradients in PLGA scaffolds was not demonstrated in vivo.
- Rapid degradation of the PLGA polymer may have limited the effectiveness of the incorporated ECM components.
- Future strategies should focus on optimizing DBM and DCC concentrations and tailoring polymer degradation kinetics for improved osteochondral regeneration.
