The use of fibrin and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) hybrid scaffold for articular cartilage tissue engineering: an in vivo analysis

Eur Cell Mater. 2008 Feb 21:15:41-52. doi: 10.22203/ecm.v015a04.

Abstract

Our preliminary results indicated that fibrin and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) hybrid scaffold promoted early chondrogenesis of articular cartilage constructs in vitro. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo cartilaginous tissue formation by chondrocyte-seeded fibrin/PLGA hybrid scaffolds. PLGA scaffolds were soaked carefully, in chondrocyte-fibrin suspension, and polymerized by dropping thrombin-calcium chloride (CaCl2) solution. PLGA-seeded chondrocytes were used as a control. Resulting constructs were implanted subcutaneously, at the dorsum of nude mice, for 4 weeks. Macroscopic observation, histological evaluation, gene expression and sulphated-glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) analyses were performed at each time point of 1, 2 and 4 weeks post-implantation. Cartilaginous tissue formation in fibrin/PLGA hybrid construct was confirmed by the presence of lacunae and cartilage-isolated cells embedded within basophilic ground substance. Presence of proteoglycan and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) in fibrin/PLGA hybrid constructs was confirmed by positive Safranin O and Alcian Blue staining. Collagen type II exhibited intense immunopositivity at the pericellular matrices. Chondrogenic properties were further demonstrated by the expression of gene encoded cartilage-specific markers, collagen type II and aggrecan core protein. The sGAG production in fibrin/PLGA hybrid constructs was higher than in the PLGA group. In conclusion, fibrin/PLGA hybrid scaffold promotes cartilaginous tissue formation in vivo and may serve as a potential cell delivery vehicle and a structural basis for articular cartilage tissue-engineering.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cartilage, Articular / cytology
  • Cartilage, Articular / metabolism*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Survival
  • Chondrocytes / cytology
  • Collagen Type II / genetics
  • Collagen Type II / metabolism
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
  • Fibrin / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Glycosaminoglycans / biosynthesis
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lactic Acid / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Phenotype
  • Polyesters
  • Polymers / metabolism*
  • Prosthesis Implantation
  • Rabbits
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*
  • Tissue Scaffolds*

Substances

  • Collagen Type II
  • Glycosaminoglycans
  • Polyesters
  • Polymers
  • A73025
  • Lactic Acid
  • poly(lactide)
  • Fibrin