A biodegradable microgrooved and tissue mechanocompatible citrate-based scaffold improves bladder tissue regeneration

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Urology

Background:

• Chronic bladder dysfunction necessitates tissue regeneration strategies due to limitations of current surgical augmentation enterocystoplasty (BAE).
• Existing BAE procedures carry significant risks due to tissue incompatibility, highlighting the need for safer alternatives.
• Citrate-based scaffolds seeded with stem cells show promise for bladder augmentation.

Approach:

• Fabricated poly(1,8-octamethylene-citrate-co-octanol) (POCO) scaffolds with microgrooves (MG) for contact guidance.
• Co-seeded MG POCO scaffolds with human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and CD34+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs).
• Evaluated scaffold performance in a rat bladder augmentation model, assessing urodynamics and histology.

Key Points:

• Microgrooved POCO scaffolds supported stem cell attachment and alignment.
• All tested scaffolds maintained normal physiological function post-augmentation.
• Cell-seeded scaffolds promoted bladder smooth muscle restoration, revascularization, and nerve regeneration.
• Microgrooves significantly increased microvasculature formation (20%) and urothelium thickness (25%).

Conclusions:

• Micropatterned scaffolds enhance bladder regeneration by improving anatomical structure and physiological function.
• This approach offers a potentially safer and more effective alternative to traditional bladder augmentation techniques.
• The study demonstrates the critical role of contact guidance in directing tissue regeneration for improved bladder repair.