转基因细胞片复合PLGA支架修复兔软骨缺损的研究

细胞片技术是应用组织工程方法使培养细胞从培养表面分离而形成含有细胞外基质的一层完整片状结构,弥补了传统组织工程技术的不足,是获取种子细胞以及对种子细胞进行转移的一项新技术。为探讨体外生长分化因子-5(GDF5)基因转染修饰的BMSCs细胞片与GDF5转基因BMSCs负载的PLGA支架形成的共聚物修复兔甲状软骨缺损的效果,实验通过腺病毒转染GDF5基因至四代兔BMSCs,温度敏感性培养皿制备GDF5转基因细胞片并与负载有转染GDF5基因BMSCs的PLGA支架复合,移植至同种兔甲状软骨缺损处,分别于术后4、8周行大体观察和组织学检测其修复效果。实验分3组:(A)转基因细胞片包裹负载有转基因BMSCs的PLGA支架组;(B)负载有转基因BMSCs的PLGA支架组;(C)负载BMSCs的PLGA支架组。结果显示,体外成功收获了完整的GDF5转基因细胞片,Real time PCR检测到GDF5 mRNA的表达,行大体组织的II型胶原免疫组化和阿利新蓝染色显示:A组和B组均表达II型胶原和糖胺聚糖(GAG),但A组表达高于B组,有统计学意义(P0.05)。由此可得,转基因细胞片包裹负载转基因BMSCs PLGA支架较传统转基因BMSCs负载PLGA支架方法具有更加优越的成软骨能力,能更有效地促进软骨缺损的修复。     

以人胎盘来源干细胞为种子细胞构建组织工程软骨

通过胰酶消化法分离培养人胎盘来源干细胞（human placenta-derived stem cells,hPDSCs）,对其生物学性状进行检测,在一定条件下使其向软骨细胞诱导分化;将hPDSCs和制备的胶原海绵支架材料复合体外构建组织工程软骨组织,移植到裸鼠体内后观察其形成软骨组织的能力,为以hPDSCs作为种子细胞进行组织工程软骨组织的构建提供理论基础.研究发现hPDSCs具有间充质干细胞性状和良好的增殖能力,能连续培养30代以上保持未分化状态;将hPDSCs培养于软骨细胞诱导培养基中,可以分化形成具有生物学功能的软骨细胞.将hPDSCs与胶原海绵支架材料在诱导培养基中复合,7天后可以观察到有软骨样结构形成,Ⅱ型胶原表达阳性;裸鼠体内移植实验证实,hPDSCs与胶原海绵复合后可以在体内形成软骨组织,组织学观察软骨陷窝形成,并且Ⅱ型胶原阳性表达.研究结果表明hPDSCs具有向软骨细胞分化的潜能,与胶原海绵支架材料复合后可以构建形成具有生物学功能的软骨组织,为临床工作中软骨缺损的修复治疗提供了新的治疗策略,具有广阔的临床应用前景。     

TGF-β1对Aβ1-42诱导海马神经元-小胶质细胞共培养体系中细胞因子表达和分泌的影响

目的：探讨在海马神经元和小胶质细胞共培养体系中转化生长因子-β1（TGF-β1）对β淀粉样肽1-42（Aβ_1-42）诱导的小胶质细胞激活表达和分泌细胞因子的影响。方法：将大鼠海马神经元和小胶质细胞进行共同培养,于共同培养后第5日,加入TGF-β1（5 or 20 ng/ml）,1 h后加入Aβ_1-42（5 μmol/L）,继续培养72 h后用于后续实验,Western blot法检测诱导型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）的蛋白表达;Real-time PCR和ELISA法检测肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白介素-1β（IL-1β）和胰岛素样生长因子（IGF-1）的mRNA表达和分泌。结果：在共同培养的海马神经元与小胶质细胞体系中,Aβ_1-42诱导炎症因子iNOS、TNF-α和IL-1β的表达和/或分泌上调,神经营养因子IGF-1表达下调,TGF-β1预处理削弱上述Aβ_1-42的作用。结论：TGF-β1明显抑制Aβ_1-42诱导的小胶质细胞激活引起的炎性细胞因子的增加和神经营养因子的减少。     

几丁质支架对间充质干细胞成软骨分化中Ⅱ型胶原表达的影响

目的将间充质干细胞诱导分化为软骨细胞,观察分化后的细胞在单层培养和几丁质支架上培养的差别。方法抽取兔股骨骨髓,密度梯度离心分离BMSCs,用TGF-β1诱导第3代的BMSCs向软骨方向分化,2周后用免疫组化检测Ⅱ型胶原表达情况。将分化后的软骨样细胞传代,用无TGF-β1的培养基分别进行单层培养和接种在几丁质支架上培养2周,再用免疫组化检测Ⅱ型胶原表达情况。结果BMSCs经TGF-β1诱导后,具有软骨细胞特点,然而进行无TGF-β1的继续培养后,单层培养的类软骨细胞很快呈去分化表型,而接种在支架上的细胞仍能较好表达Ⅱ型胶原。结论几丁质支架具有延缓软骨样细胞去分化和老化的作用。     

积雪草对转染TGF-β1基因的大鼠肾小球系膜细胞Smad 2/3、Smad 7和胶原蛋白Ⅳ表达的影响

目的：通过细胞转基因技术,获得稳定表达转化生长因子β1（TGF-β1）的系膜细胞（MC）克隆,观察积雪草（CA）对Smad 2/3、Smad 7和胶原蛋白1V表达及Smad 2/3磷酸化的影响。方法：采用脂质体的方法将TGF-β1表达质粒转入MC细胞,采用G418筛选并建立稳定表达TGF-β1的细胞株。将MC细胞株分为3组：对照组（未转染TGFβ1的MC+RPMI 1640+10%正常大鼠血清）,TGF-β1转染组（稳定表达TGF-β1的MC+RPMI 1640+10%正常大鼠血清）,积雪草（CA）组：稳定表达TGF-β1的MC+RPMI 1640+10%含高浓度CA的大鼠血清。实验重复5次。ELISA法检测各组培养上清中TGF-β1和胶原Ⅳ的含量;RT-PCR方法检测各组细胞TGF-β1、Smad 2/3、Smad 7的mRNA表达水平;Western印迹法检测各组细胞TGF-β1、Smad 2/3、p-Smad 2/3、Smad 7、胶原Ⅳ的蛋白质水平。结果：TGF-β1转染组细胞上清液中的TGF-β1和胶原蛋白Ⅳ水平显著升高,积雪草能显著降低TGF-β1和胶原蛋白Ⅳ水平;TGF-β1转染组细胞中TGF-β1、Smad 2/3的mRNA和蛋白质表达水平及Smad 2/3的磷酸化水平均显著升高,而CA可显著降低MC细胞中TGF-β1、Smad 2/3的mRNA和蛋白质表达水平及Smad 2/3的磷酸化水平;TGF-β1转染组细胞中的Smad 7 mRNA水平显著降低,而CA能使Smad 7的mRNA水平显著升高。结论：稳定表达TGF-β1的MC细胞能激活TGFβ1/Smad信号通路,并引起胶原蛋白Ⅳ表达增加,而CA通过抑制此通路的激活,进而抑制胶原蛋白Ⅳ的表达而减缓糖尿病肾病（DN）的发生。     

富血小板纤维蛋白对兔骨髓间充质干细胞成软骨分化的影响

目的：观察自体富血小板纤维蛋白（platelet-rich fibrin,PRF）对体外培养的兔骨髓间充质干细胞（Bonemarrowmesenchymalstemcells,BMSCs）成软骨分化的影响。方法：兔心脏采血制备PRF,电镜观察其超微结构;分离培养兔BMSCs,取第3代细胞用于实验．分为PIuF组、阳性对照组、空白对照组。诱导培养21d后,对三组细胞分别进行形态学观察,成软骨鉴定染色（甲苯胺蓝、Ⅱ型胶原免疫组化染色）,软骨相关基因表达检测（Ⅱ型胶原、Aggrecan、SOX9）。结果：PRF组和阳性对照组中BMSCs经诱导后,细胞由长梭形变为三角形、多角形、圆形;甲苯胺蓝、Ⅱ型胶原免疫组化染色均为阳性;Ⅱ型胶原、Aggrecan、SOX9基因表达水平均较高,两组比较无统计学差异,空白对照组未见相关分化现象。结论：PRF在体外可促进兔BMSCs成软骨分化,可作为自体生物材料,在构建组织工程软骨中发挥更好的作用。     

富血小板纤维蛋白对兔骨髓间充质干细胞成软骨分化的影响*

摘要目的：观察自体富血小板纤维蛋白（platelet-rich fibrin, PRF）对体外培养的兔骨髓间充质干细胞（Bone marrow mesenchymal stemcells, BMSCs）成软骨分化的影响。方法：兔心脏采血制备PRF,电镜观察其超微结构;分离培养兔BMSCs,取第3代细胞用于 实验,分为PRF组、阳性对照组、空白对照组。诱导培养21d 后,对三组细胞分别进行形态学观察,成软骨鉴定染色（甲苯胺蓝、II 型胶原免疫组化染色）,软骨相关基因表达检测（Ⅱ型胶原、Aggrecan、SOX9）。结果：PRF 组和阳性对照组中BMSCs经诱导后,细 胞由长梭形变为三角形、多角形、圆形;甲苯胺蓝、II 型胶原免疫组化染色均为阳性;Ⅱ型胶原、Aggrecan、SOX9基因表达水平均 较高,两组比较无统计学差异,空白对照组未见相关分化现象。结论：PRF在体外可促进兔BMSCs 成软骨分化,可作为自体生物 材料,在构建组织工程软骨中发挥更好的作用。     

奥曲肽对TGF-β1诱导大鼠气道平滑肌细胞增殖的影响

目的：探讨奥曲肽对转化生长因子-β1（TGF-β1）诱导气道平滑肌细胞（ASMCs）增殖及凋亡的作用,并了解上述作用是否通过含有SH2结构域的蛋白质酪氨酸磷酸酶1（SHP-1）介导。方法：体外培养大鼠气道平滑肌细胞（ASMCs）,以TGF-β1、奥曲肽、SHP-1抑制剂NSC87877作为工具药。将ASMCs分为对照组、TGF-β1组、TGF-β1+奥曲肽组、TGF-β1+奥曲肽+NSC87877组,四甲基偶氮唑蓝（MTT）比色法测定ASMCs增殖,Western blot检测磷酸化SHP-1的水平。另将ASMCs分为对照组、0.01 nmol/ml奥曲肽组、0.1 nmol/ml奥曲肽组,Annexin V/P I双标记流式细胞仪分析方法检测细胞凋亡。结果：①TGF-β1组ASMCs的增殖反应高于对照组（P<0.01）,TGF-β1+奥曲肽组ASMCs增殖反应显著低于TGF-β1组（P<0.05）,TGF-β1+奥曲肽+NSC87877组的增殖反应显著低于TGF-β1+奥曲肽组（P<0.01）;②0.01 nmol/ml奥曲肽组凋亡率显著高于对照组（P<0.01）,0.1 nmol/ml奥曲肽组与对照组比较凋亡率无显著差异;③TGF-β1组较对照组p-SHP-1水平显著降低（P<0.05）,TGF-β1+奥曲肽组较TGF-β1组p-SHP-1水平稍升高,但差异无统计学意义,TGF-β1+奥曲肽+NSC87877组p-SHP-1水平较其余3组显著降低（P<0.01）。结论：奥曲肽可抑制TGF-β1诱导的ASMCs增生;低剂量奥曲肽促进ASMCs凋亡,较高剂量奥曲肽对ASMCs凋亡无明显影响;奥曲肽抑制ASMCs增生与SHP-1激活无关,可能通过介导生长抑素受体2（SSTR2）作用的其他机制或通过其他生长抑素受体（SSTRs）抑制ASMCs生长。     

三维取向PLGA神经导管促进坐骨神经再生的实验研究

目的：探讨应用改进静电纺丝技术一次成型制备三维（3D）取向聚乳酸与聚羟基乙酸共聚物（PLGA）纳米神经导管的可行性,检测其对坐骨神经再生的促进作用。方法：应用改进的静电纺丝技术制备无缝取向PLGA纳米神经导管,通过扫描电镜和透射电镜检测支架的纳米结构;分别制备取向和非取向纳米纤维支架修复13mm坐骨神经缺损模型。36只成年SD大鼠随机分为3组（每组12只）,A组：非取向PLGA神经导管组（阴性对照）;B组：取向PLGA神经导管组,C组：自体神经移植组（阳性对照）,于术后3月通过大体观察、行走足印分析、腓肠肌萎缩率、电生理检测、组织形态学检测、透射电镜检测及图像分析,评价无缝取向PLGA纳米神经导管修复坐骨神经缺损的效果。结果：神经导管修复神经缺损三月后,大体观察显示神经导管结构完整,无坍塌和断裂;各组再生神经均有通过神经导管长入远端。B组与C组的腓肠肌萎缩率和神经电传导速度无统计学差异（P〈0.05）,均优于A组。B组与C组再生神经纤维数量及成熟程度均要明显优于A组。结论：无缝取向PLGA纳米神经导管能够诱导并促进神经再生,提高坐骨神经再生的质量,有望成为自体神经移植的替代物。     

淫羊藿素促进BMSCs成软骨分化的研究北大核心CSCD

研究淫羊藿素在GDF-5诱导BMSCs成软骨分化过程中的作用。全骨髓贴壁法分离培养SD大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSCs),取P3代细胞随机分成4组:对照组,淫羊藿素(Icaritin)组,Growth differentiation factor 5(GDF-5)组,Icaritin+GDF-5联合组。连续诱导培养14 d,倒置相差显微镜观察细胞形态,Alcian Blue染色检测细胞的蛋白聚糖改变,RT-PCR检测软骨分化标记基因Aggrecan、COL2、Sox9及COL1的表达情况,Western Blot检测COL2和COL1蛋白表达水平。结果提示,与对照组及GDF-5组相比,Icaritin+GDF-5联合组蛋白聚糖染色更深;软骨分化标记基因Aggrecan、COL2、Sox9明显增加;Ⅱ型胶原蛋白表达量均明显增加。淫羊藿素能够促进GDF-5诱导BMSCs成软骨分化。     

Repairing cartilage defects with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells induced by CDMP and TGF-β1

The aim of this study was to explore the ability for chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stems cells (BMSCs) induced by either cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein 1 (CDMP-1) alone or in the presence of transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁) in vivo and in vitro. BMSCs and poly-lactic acid/glycolic acid copolymer (PLGA) scaffold were analyzed for chondrogenic capacity induced by CDMP-1 and TGF-β₁ in vivo and in vitro. Chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs into chondrocytes using a high density pellet culture system was tested, whether they could be maintained in 3-D PLGA scaffold instead of pellet culture remains to be explored. Under the culture of high-density cell suspension and PLGA frame, BMSCs were observed the ability to repair cartilage defects by either CDMP-1 alone or in the presence of TGF-β₁ in vitro. Then the cell-scaffold complex was implanted into animals for 4 and 8 weeks for in vivo test. The content of collagen type II and proteoglycan appeared to increase over time in the constructs of the induced groups (CDMP in the presence of TGF-β₁), CDMP group and TGF group. However, the construct of the control group did not express them during the whole culture time. At 4 and 8 weeks, the collagen type II expression of the induced group was higher than the sum of TGF group and CDMP group by SSPS17.0 analysis. BMSCs and PLGA complex induced by CDMP-1 and TGF- β₁ can repair cartilage defects more effectively than that induced by CDMP-1 or TGF-β₁ only.     

Platelet-rich plasma promotes the regeneration of cartilage engineered by mesenchymal stem cells and collagen hydrogel via the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway

The tissue engineering technique using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and scaffolds is promising. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is generally accepted as an chondrogenic agent, but immunorejection and unexpected side effects, such as tumorigenesis and heterogeneity, limit its clinical application. Autogenous platelet-rich plasma (PRP), marked by low immunogenicity, easy accessibility, and low-cost, may be favorable for cartilage regeneration. In our study, the effect of PRP on engineered cartilage constructed by MSCs and collagen hydrogel in vitro and in vivo was investigated and compared with TGF-β1. The results showed that PRP promoted cell proliferation and gene and protein expressions of chondrogenic markers via the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway. Meanwhile, it suppressed the expression of collagen type I, a marker of fibrocartilage. Furthermore, PRP accelerated cartilage regeneration on defects with engineered cartilage, advantageous over TGF-β1, as evaluated by histological analysis and immunohistochemical staining. Our work demonstrates that autogenous PRP may substitute TGF-β1 as a potent and reliable chondrogenic inducer for therapy of cartilage defect.     

The evaluation of cartilage differentiations using transforming growth factor beta3 alone and with combination of bone morphogenetic protein-6 on adult stem cells

In our quest to standardize our formula for a clinical trial, transforming growth factor-beta3 (TGF-β3) alone and in combination with bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP-6) were evaluated for their effectiveness in cartilage differentiation. Bone Marrow Stem Cells (BMSCs) and Adipose Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs) were induced to chondrogenic lineage using two different media. Native chondrocytes served as positive control. ADSCs and BMSCs proved multipotency by tri-lineage differentiations. ADSC has significantly higher growth kinetics compare to Chondrocyte only p ≤ 0.05. Using TGF-β3 alone, BMSC revealed higher expressions for hyaline cartilage genes compare to ADSCs. Chondrocyte has significantly higher early chondrogenic markers expression to ADSCs and BMSCs, while BMSCs was only higher to ADSC at chondroadherin, p ≤ 0.0001. On mature chondrogenic markers, chondrocytes were significantly higher to ADSCs and BMSCs for aggrecan, collagen IX, sry (sex determining region y)-box9, collagen II and fibromodullin; and only to ADSC for collagen XI. BMSC was higher to ADSC for aggrecan and collagen IX, p ≤ 0.0001. The combination of TGF-β3 + BMP-6 revealed increased gene expressions on both BMSCs and ADSCs for early and mature chondrogenic markers, but no significance difference. For dedifferentiation markers, ADSC was significantly higher to chondrocyte for collagen I. Glycosaminoglycan evaluations with both formulas revealed that chondrocytes were significantly higher to ADSCs and BMSCs, but none was significant to each other, p ≤ 0.0001. Combination of 10 ng TGF-β3 with 10 ng of BMP-6 enhanced chondrogenic potentials of BMSCs and ADSCs compare to TGF-β3 alone. This could be the ideal cocktail for either cell’s chondrogenic induction.     

Tissue engineering and cartilage

Human articular cartilage is an avascular structure, which, when injured, poses significant hurdles to repair strategies. Not only does the defect need to be repopulated with cells, but preferentially with hyaline-like cartilage.

Successful tissue engineering relies on four specific criteria: cells, growth factors, scaffolds, and the mechanical environment. The cell population utilized may originate from cartilage itself (chondrocytes) or growth factors may direct the development of mesenchymal stem cells toward a chondrogenic phenotype. These stem cells may originate from various mesenchymal tissues including bone marrow, synovium, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and periosteum. Another unique population of multipotent cells arises from Wharton’s jelly in human umbilical cords. A number of growth factors have been associated with chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells and maintenance of the chondrogenic phenotype by chondrocytes in vitro, including TGF-β; BMP-2, 4, and 7; IGF-1; and GDF-5.

The scaffolds chosen for effective tissue engineering with respect to cartilage repair can be protein based (collagen, fibrin, and gelatin), carbohydrate based (hyaluronan, agarose, alginate, PLLA/PGA, and chitosan), or formed by hydrogels. Mechanical compression, fluid-induced shear stress, and hydrostatic pressure are all aspects of mechanical loading found in the human knee joint, both during gait and at rest. Utilizing these factors may assist in stimulating the development of more robust cells for implantation.

Effective tissue engineering has the ability to improve the quality of life of millions of patients and delay future medical costs related to joint arthroplasty and associated procedures.     

In vitro study of nano-HA/PLLA composite scaffold for rabbit BMSC differentiation under TGF-β1 induction

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of differentiation of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) into chondrocytes induced by transforming growth factor-beta1 (TCP-β1) composite poly-1actide-co-glycolic acid/nano-hydroxyapatite (PLLA/nano-HA) to the construction of biomimetic artificial cartilage in vitro. In the low-temperature extrusion preparation of PLLA/nano-HA composite porous scaffolds, rBMSCs were isolated and cultured to third generation in vitro, induced by TGF-β1-contained special inducing system into chondrocytes, 14 d later, identified by toluidine blue and type II collagen immunohistochemistry staining, and then the differential chondrocytes composite into the PLLA/nano-HA composite porous scaffolds, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to observe the growth conditions and cell attachment on the composite in the 7th,14th, and 21st day and to gather cells on composite in the 7th, 14th, and 21st day of cell. RT-PCR is used to detect the expression of aggrecan (Col2A1 in mRNA) and Western blot for detection of the expression of type II collagen of the attached cells. rBMSCs can differentiate into chondrocytes when induced, and the differentiation of chondrocytes secreting GAG by toluidine blue staining and type II collagen immunohistochemistry staining was positive; SEM confirm the cells distribution evenly, stretching well in composite. RT-PCR of aggrecan, Col2A1 in mRNA, and Western-blot of type II collagen expression in the differentiation of chondrocytes have different levels. Using TGF-β1 containing special inducing system induced rBMSCs into chondrocytes, then into compounds of PLLA/nano-HA composite porous scaffolds, and cell carrier complex proliferated well and secreted the chondrocyte-specific extracellular matrix stably, successfully constructing artificial bionic in vitro.     

Engineering cartilage-like tissue using human mesenchymal stem cells and silk protein scaffolds

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) derived from bone marrow aspirates can form the basis for the in vitro cultivation of autologous tissue grafts and help alleviate the problems of immunorejection and disease transmission associated with the use of allografts. We explored the utility of hMSC cultured on protein scaffolds for tissue engineering of cartilage. hMSC were isolated, expanded in culture, characterized with respect to the expression of surface markers and ability for chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation, and seeded on scaffolds. Four different scaffolds were tested, formed as a highly porous sponge made of: 1) collagen, 2) cross-linked collagen, 3) silk, and 4) RGD-coupled silk. Cell-seeded scaffolds were cultured for up to 4 weeks in either control medium (DMEM supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum) or chondrogenic medium (control medium supplemented with chondrogenic factors). hMSC attachment, proliferation, and metabolic activity were markedly better on slowly degrading silk than on fast-degrading collagen scaffolds. In chondrogenic medium, hMSC formed cartilaginous tissues on all scaffolds, but the extent of chondrogenesis was substantially higher for hMSC cultured on silk as compared to collagen scaffolds. The deposition of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and type II collagen and the expression of type II collagen mRNA were all higher for hMSC cultured on silk than on collagen scaffolds. Taken together, these results suggest that silk scaffolds are particularly suitable for tissue engineering of cartilage starting from hMSC, presumably due to their high porosity, slow biodegradation, and structural integrity.     

Comparison of the synthetic biodegradable polymers, polylactide (PLA), and polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) as scaffolds for artificial cartilage

Chondrocytes are easily de-differentiated when cultured in monolayer, and tissue-engineered cartilage can be generated by seeding chondrocytes onto three-dimensional porous synthetic biodegradable polymers. In this study, we investigated the biochemical and molecular aspects of chondrocytes in a monolayer-culture system and selected the optimal subculture passages based on their de-differentiation. We also compared two commonly used synthetic biodegradable polymers, polylactide (PLA), and polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), for their suitability as scaffolds for artificial cartilage. De-differentiated chondrocytes were observed after two passages. These results suggested that the first cell passage was optimal for seeding as only a few chondrocytes secreted extracellular matrix components to form homogeneously compact cartilage. Substantially increased glycosaminoglycan and total collagen levels revealed that PLGA scaffolds were a better option for inducing cartilage tissue formation compared to the PLA scaffolds. Histological and immunohistochemical results showed that chondrocytes seeded into PLGA retained their morphological phenotype to a greater extent than those seeded into PLA.     

A cell leakproof PLGA‐collagen hybrid scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering

A cell leakproof porous poly(DL ‐lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA)‐collagen hybrid scaffold was prepared by wrapping the surfaces of a collagen sponge except the top surface for cell seeding with a bi‐layered PLGA mesh. The PLGA‐collagen hybrid scaffold had a structure consisting of a central collagen sponge formed inside a bi‐layered PLGA mesh cup. The hybrid scaffold showed high mechanical strength. The cell seeding efficiency was 90.0% when human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were seeded in the hybrid scaffold. The central collagen sponge provided enough space for cell loading and supported cell adhesion, while the bi‐layered PLGA mesh cup protected against cell leakage and provided high mechanical strength for the collagen sponge to maintain its shape during cell culture. The MSCs in the hybrid scaffolds showed round cell morphology after 4 weeks culture in chondrogenic induction medium. Immunostaining demonstrated that type II collagen and cartilaginous proteoglycan were detected in the extracellular matrices. Gene expression analyses by real‐time PCR showed that the genes encoding type II collagen, aggrecan, and SOX9 were upregulated. These results indicated that the MSCs differentiated and formed cartilage‐like tissue when being cultured in the cell leakproof PLGA‐collagen hybrid scaffold. The cell leakproof PLGA‐collagen hybrid scaffolds should be useful for applications in cartilage tissue engineering. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010     

Adenoviral transduction of hTGF-β1 enhances the chondrogenesis of bone marrow derived stromal cells

TGF-β1 plays a necessary and important role in the induction of chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). In this study, porcine BMSCs were infected with a replication-deficient adenovirus expression vector carrying the hTGF-β1 gene. The transduced BMSCs were cultured as pelleted micromasses in vitro for 21 days, seeded onto disk-shaped PGA scaffolds for 3 days and subsequently implanted into the subcutaneous tissue of mice. BMSCs transduced with AdhTGF-β1 expressed and secreted more hTGF-β1 protein in vitro than those of the control group. Histological and immunohistological examination of the pellets revealed robust chondrogenic differentiation. Tissues made from cells transduced with AdhTGF-β1 exhibited neocartilage formation after 3 weeks in vivo. The neocartilage occupied 42 ± 5% of the total tissue volume which was significantly greater than that of the control group. Furthermore, there was extensive staining for sulfated proteoglycans and type II collagen in the AdhTGF-β1 group compared to controls, and quantification of GAG content showed significantly greater amounts of GAG in experimental groups. The results demonstrate that transfer of hTGF-β1 into BMSCs via adenoviral transduction can induce chondrogenic differentiation in vitro and enhance chondrogenesis in vivo.