Improved seeding of chondrocytes into polyglycolic acid scaffolds using semi-static and alginate loading methods

Cell seeding and attachment in three-dimensional scaffolds is a key step in tissue engineering with implications for cell differentiation and tissue development. In this work, two new seeding methods were investigated using human chondrocytes and polyglycolic acid (PGA) fibrous mesh scaffolds. A simple semi-static seeding method using culture plates and tissue flasks was developed as an easy-to-perform modification of static seeding. An alginate-loading method was also studied, using alginate hydrogel as an adjuvant for entrapping cells within PGA scaffolds. Both the semi-static and PGA-alginate methods produced more homogeneous cell distributions than conventional static and dynamic seeding. Using 20 × 10(6) cells, whereas the seeding efficiency for static seeding was only 52%, all other techniques produced seeding efficiencies of ≥ 90%. With 40 × 10(6) cells, the efficiency of semi-static seeding declined to 74% while the dynamic and PGA-alginate methods retained their ability to accommodate high cell numbers. The seeded scaffolds were cultured in recirculation bioreactors to determine the effect of seeding method on cartilage production. Statically seeded scaffolds did not survive the 5-week cultivation period. Deposition of extracellular matrix in scaffolds seeded using the semi-static and PGA-alginate methods was more uniform compared with scaffolds seeded using the dynamic method. The new semi-static and PGA-alginate seeding methods developed in this work are recommended for tissue engineering because they provide substantial benefits compared with static seeding in terms of seeding efficiency, cell distribution, and cartilage deposition while remaining simple and easy to execute.     

Synthetic polymers seeded with chondrocytes provide a template for new cartilage formation

A new approach for tissue creation using synthetic biocompatible and biodegradable polymers as templates onto which cells are seeded is presented. This report concerns the generation of homogeneous plates of stable mature cartilage in vivo. The delivery of chondrocytes on synthetic polymers configured to provide a large surface area for cell attachment and thus to allow cell function and survival by diffusion of nutrients has resulted in the creation of macroscopic plates of up to 100 mg of new cartilage subcutaneously in 19 of 21 animals. The approximate dimensions and configuration of the original templates were maintained as new cartilage was formed and the polymers resorbed.     

Chondrogenic differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells promoted by mature chondrocytes

In order to direct embryonic stem (ES) cells to differentiate into chondrocytes, a chondrogenic envi-ronment provided by mature chondrocytes was investigated. Flk-1 positive cells sorted from pre-differentiated mouse ES cells were mixed with adult porcine articular chondrocytes, seeded on biodegradable scaffolds, and then implanted subcutaneously into nude mice. The cell-scaffold com-plexes formed cartilage tissues after 4 weeks, which was demonstrated by histology and anti-type II collagen antibody staining. Positive staining of mouse Major Histocompatibility Complex class I molecules confirmed that part of the chondrocytes were derived from mouse ES cells. The current study established a new approach for directing ES cell differentiation.     

Chondrogenic differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells promoted by mature chondrocytes

In order to direct embryonic stem (ES) cells to differentiate into chondrocytes, a chondrogenic environment provided by mature chondrocytes was investigated. Flk-1 positive cells sorted from pre-differentiated mouse ES cells were mixed with adult porcine articular chondrocytes, seeded on biodegradable scaffolds, and then implanted subcutaneously into nude mice. The cell-scaffold complexes formed cartilage tissues after 4 weeks, which was demonstrated by histology and anti-type II collagen antibody staining. Positive staining of mouse Major Histocompatibility Complex class I molecules confirmed that part of the chondrocytes were derived from mouse ES cells. The current study established a new approach for directing ES cell differentiation.     

In vitro and in vivo neo-cartilage formation by heterotopic chondrocytes seeded on PGA scaffolds

Implantation of tissue-engineered heterotopic cartilage into joint cartilage defects might be an alternative approach to improve articular cartilage repair. Hence, the aim of this study was to characterize and compare the quality of tissue-engineered cartilage produced with heterotopic (auricular, nasoseptal and articular) chondrocytes seeded on polyglycolic acid (PGA) scaffolds in vitro and in vivo using the nude mice xenograft model. PGA scaffolds were seeded with porcine articular, auricular and nasoseptal chondrocytes using a dynamic culturing procedure. Constructs were pre-cultured 3 weeks in vitro before being implanted subcutaneously in nude mice for 1, 6 or 12 weeks, non-seeded scaffolds were implanted as controls. Heterotopic neo-cartilage quality was assessed using vitality assays, macroscopical and histological scoring systems. Neo-cartilage formation could be observed in vitro in all PGA associated heterotopic chondrocytes cultures and extracellular cartilage matrix (ECM) deposition increased in vivo. The 6 weeks in vivo incubation time point leads to more consistent results for all cartilage species, since at 12 weeks in vivo construct size reductions were higher compared with 6 weeks except for auricular chondrocytes PGA cultures. Some regressive histological changes could be observed in all constructs seeded with all chondrocytes subspecies such as cell-free ECM areas. Particularly, but not exclusively in nasoseptal chondrocytes PGA cultures, ossificated ECM areas appeared. Elastic fibers could not be detected within any neo-cartilage. The neo-cartilage quality did not significantly differ between articular and non-articular chondrocytes constructs. Whether tissue-engineered heterotopic neo-cartilage undergoes sufficient transformation, when implanted into joint cartilage defects requires further investigation.     

Liquid perfluorochemical-supported hybrid cell culture system for proliferation of chondrocytes on fibrous polylactide scaffolds

CP5 bovine chondrocytes were cultured on biodegradable electrospun fibrous polylactide (PLA) scaffolds placed on a flexible interface formed between two immiscible liquid phases: (1) hydrophobic perfluorochemical (PFC) and (2) aqueous culture medium, as a new way of cartilage implant development. Robust and intensive growth of CP5 cells was achieved in our hybrid liquid–solid–liquid culture system consisting of the fibrous PLA scaffolds in contrast to limited growth of the CP5 cells in traditional culture system with PLA scaffold placed on solid surface. The multicellular aggregates of CP5 cells covered the surface of PLA scaffolds and the chondrocytes migrated through and overgrew internal fibers of the scaffolds. Our hybrid culture system simultaneously allows the adhesion of adherent CP5 cells to fibers of PLA scaffolds as well as, due to use of phase of PFC, enhances the mass transfer in the case of supplying/removing of respiratory gases, i.e., O₂ and CO₂. Our flexible (independent of vessel shape) system is simple, ready-to-use and may utilize a variety of polymer-based scaffolds traditionally proposed for implant development.     

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     

Oscillating perfusion of cell suspensions through three-dimensional scaffolds enhances cell seeding efficiency and uniformity

We developed a bioreactor for automated cell seeding of three-dimensional scaffolds by continuous perfusion of a cell suspension through the scaffold pores in oscillating directions. Using quantitative biochemical and image analysis techniques, we then evaluated the efficiency and uniformity of perfusion seeding of Polyactive foams as compared to conventional static and spinner flask methods. Finally, we assessed the efficacy of the perfusion seeding technique for different scaffolds and cell types. Perfusion seeding of chondrocytes into Polyactive foams resulted in "viable cell seeding efficiencies," defined as the percentages of initially loaded cells that were seeded and remained viable, that were significantly higher (75 +/- 6%) than those by static (57% +/- 5%) and spinner flask seeding (55% +/- 8%). In addition, as compared to static and spinner flask methods, cells seeded by perfusion were respectively 2.6-fold and 3.8-fold more uniformly distributed and formed more homogeneously sized cell clusters. Chondrocytes seeded by perfusion into Hyaff-11 nonwoven meshes were 26% and 63%, respectively, more uniformly distributed than following static and spinner flask seeding. Bone marrow stromal cells seeded by perfusion into ChronOS porous ceramics were homogeneously distributed throughout the scaffold volume, while following the static method, cells were found only near the top surface of the ceramic. In summary, we demonstrated that our cell seeding perfusion bioreactor generated constructs with remarkably uniform cell distributions at high efficiencies, and was effective for a variety of scaffolds and different mesenchymal cell types.     

Osteogenic differentiation of human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (hASCs) in a porous three-dimensional scaffold

Recent studies have shown that liposuction aspirates from rat, rabbit, mouse, and human sources contain pluripotent adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ASCs) that can differentiate into various mesodermal cell types, including osteoblasts, myoblasts, chondroblasts, and preadipocytes. To develop a research model for autologous bone tissue engineering, we isolated ASCs from human liposuction aspirates (hASCs) and induced their osteogenic differentiation in three-dimensional poly(dl-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffolds. Human liposuction aspirates were proteolytically digested and centrifuged to obtain hASCs. After primary culture in control media and expansion to three passages, the cells were seeded in two-dimensional plates or three-dimensional PLGA scaffolds and cultured in osteogenic media for 4 weeks. In two-dimensional culture, osteogenesis was assessed by RT-PCR analysis of the osteogenic-specific bone sialoprotein mRNA, by alkaline phosphatase staining, and by von Kossa staining. In three-dimensional culture, osteogenesis was assessed by von Kossa and alizarine red S staining at 1, 2, and 4 weeks following osteogenic induction. hASCs incubated in two-dimensional osteogenic media stained positively for alkaline phosphatase and with von Kossa stain after 2 weeks of differentiation. Expression of the osteogenesis-specific bone sialoprotein gene was detected by RT-PCR after 2 weeks of differentiation. PLGA scaffolds seeded with hASCs showed multiple calcified extracellular matrix nodules by von Kossa and alizarine red S staining after 2 weeks of differentiation. In conclusion, the authors identified an osteogenic potential of hASCs and demonstrated osteogenic differentiation of hASCs into an osteogenic lineage in three-dimensional PLGA scaffolds.     

The microscopic biological response of human chondrocytes to bovine bone scaffold

This study was performed to determine the microscopic biological response of human nasal septum chondrocytes and human knee articular chondrocytes placed on a demineralized bovine bone scaffold. Both chondrocytes were cultured and seeded onto the bovine bone scaffold with seeding density of 1 × 105 cells per 100 μl/scaffold and incubated for 1, 2, 5 and 7 days. Proliferation and viability of the cells were measured by mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity (MTT assay), adhesion study was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and differentiation study was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining and confocal laser scanning electron microscopy. The results showed good proliferation and viability of both chondrocytes on the scaffolds from day 1 to day 7. Both chondrocytes increased in number with time and readily grew on the surface and into the open pores of the scaffold. Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated collagen type II on the scaffolds for both chondrocytes. The results showed good cells proliferation, attachment and maturity of the chondrocytes on the demineralized bovine bone scaffold. The bovine bone being easily resourced, relatively inexpensive and non toxic has good potential for use as a three dimensional construct in cartilage tissue engineering.     

Hydrophilic gelatin and hyaluronic acid-treated PLGA scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering

Tissue engineering provides a new strategy for repairing damaged cartilage. Surface and mechanical properties of scaffolds play important roles in inducing cell growth.?Aim: The aim of this study was to fabricate and characterize PLGA and gelatin/hyaluronic acid-treated PLGA (PLGA-GH) sponge scaffolds for articular cartilage tissue engineering. Methods: The PLGA-GH scaffolds were cross-linked with gelatin and hyaluronic acid. Primary chondrocytes isolated from porcine articular cartilages were used to assess cell compatibility. The characteristic PLGA-GH scaffold was higher in water uptake ratio and degradation rate within 42 days than the PLGA scaffold. Results: The mean compressive moduli of PLGA and PLGA-GH scaffolds were 1.72±0.50 MPa and 1.86±0.90 MPa, respectively. The cell attachment ratio, proliferation, and extracellular matrix secretion on PLGA-GH scaffolds are superior to those of PLGA scaffolds. Conclusions: In our study, PLGA-GH scaffolds exhibited improvements in cell biocompatibility, cell proliferation, extracellular matrix synthesis, and appropriate mechanical and structural properties for potential engineering cartilage applications.     

A new technique for seeding chondrocytes onto solvent-preserved human meniscus using the chemokinetic effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2

Many investigators are currently studying the use of decellularized tissue allografts from human cadavers as scaffolds onto which patients?? cells could be seeded, or as carriers for genetically engineered cells to aid cell transplantation. However, it is difficult to seed cells onto very dense regular connective tissue which has few interstitial spaces. Here, we discuss the development of a chemotactic cell seeding technique using solvent-preserved human meniscus. A chemokinetic response to recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) was observed in a monolayer culture of primary chondrocytes derived from femoral epiphyseal cartilage of 2-day-old rats. The rhBMP-2 significantly increased their migration upto 10 ng/ml in a dose-dependent manner. When tested with solvent-preserved human meniscus as a scaffold, which has few interstitial spaces, rhBMP-2 was able to induce chondrocytes to migrate into the meniscus. After a 3-week incubation, newly-formed cartilaginous extracellular matrix was synthesized by migrated chondrocytes throughout the meniscus, down to a depth of 3 mm. These findings demonstrate that rhBMP-2 may be a natural chemokinetic factor in vivo, which induces migration of proliferative chondrocytes into the narrow interfibrous spaces. Our results suggest a potential application of rhBMP-2 for the designed distribution of chondrocytes into a scaffold to be used for tissue engineering.     

A mechanical composite spheres analysis of engineered cartilage dynamics

In the preparation of bioengineered reparative strategies for damaged or diseased tissues, the processes of biomaterial degradation and neotissue synthesis combine to affect the developing mechanical state of multiphase, composite engineered tissues. Here, cell-polymer constructs for engineered cartilage have been fabricated by seeding chondrocytes within three-dimensional scaffolds of biodegradable polymers. During culture, synthetic scaffolds degraded passively as the cells assembled an extracellular matrix (ECM) composed primarily of glycosaminoglycan and collagen. Biochemical and biomechanical assessment of the composite (cells, ECM, and polymer scaffold) were modeled at a unit-cell level to mathematically solve stress-strain relationships and thus construct elastic properties (n=4 samples per seven time points). This approach employed a composite spheres, micromechanical analysis to determine bulk moduli of: (1) the cellular-ECM inclusion within the supporting scaffold structure; and (2) the cellular inclusion within its ECM. Results indicate a dependence of constituent volume fractions with culture time (p<0.05). Overall mean bulk moduli were variably influenced by culture, as noted for the cell-ECM inclusion (K(c-m)=29.7 kPa, p=0.1439), the cellular inclusion (K(c)=5.5 kPa, p=0.0067), and its surrounding ECM (K(m)=373.9 kPa, p=0.0748), as well as the overall engineered construct (K=165.0 kPa, p=0.6899). This analytical technique provides a framework to describe the time-dependent contribution of cells, accumulating ECM, and a degrading scaffold affecting bioengineered construct mechanical properties.     

Effects of composition, solvent, and salt particles on the physicochemical properties of polyglycolide/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds

Polyglycolide (PGA)/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) scaffolds were fabricated by a solvent casting/particulate leaching method using hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) or acetone for material dissolution and NaCl particles as porogen. The results revealed that the mechanical strength increased as the PGA percentage in a HFIP-processed scaffold increased. Chemical ingredients did not substantially affect the mechanical strength of acetone-processed scaffolds. Large NaCl particles led to weak mechanical strength, low porosity, and small specific surface area. For a fixed composition, PGA crystals in a HFIP-processed scaffold were smaller than those in an acetone-processed scaffold. High PGA fractions yielded partly fused PGA/PLGA scaffolds. A faster degradation rate of a scaffold could result from a higher PGA percentage, smaller NaCl particles, or the existence of chondrocytes. The combination of PGA and PLGA, which compensated each other for bioactivity, would be beneficial to cartilage regeneration.     

The effect of media perfusion on three-dimensional cultures of human chondrocytes: integration of experimental and computational approaches

This work examines the effect of perfusion on human mature articular chondrocytes cultured on synthetic biodegradable scaffolds (DegraPol). Human chondrocytes were isolated, seeded on the scaffolds and subjected to perfused culture at a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min, corresponding to an average inlet fluid velocity of 44 microm/s, with flow inversion every 1 minute. The flow was imposed at the construct surface in some constructs, it was forced through the construct thickness in other constructs and was absent in the static controls. We compared cell viability and morphology and we evaluated material properties of the constructs at 1 month of culture. Thickness-perfused constructs showed significantly higher material properties and roughly a two-fold cell viability, when compared both to surface-perfused constructs and to static controls. Chondrocytes maintained a phenotypic morphology in all experiments, probably favoured by a limited cell-scaffold interaction. Biosynthetic activity could be demonstrated only in the bioreactor-cultured constructs. In this experimental model, a bi-directional flow of culture medium was applied to the cells at a macroscopic level and computational modelling was used to quantify the fluid-dynamic environment induced on the cells at a microscopic level. This method may be used to quantify the effects of fluid-dynamic shear on the growth modulation of tissue-engineered cartilage constructs, to potentially enhance tissue growth in vitro.     

Cartilage repair: surgical techniques and tissue engineering using polysaccharide- and collagen-based biomaterials

Lesions of articular cartilage have a large variety of causes among which traumatic damage, osteoarthritis and osteochondritis dissecans are the most frequent. Replacement of articular defects in joints has assumed greater importance in recent years. This interest results in large part because cartilage defects cannot adequately heal themselves. Many techniques have been suggested over the last 30 years, but none allows the regeneration of the damaged cartilage, i.e. its replacement by a strictly identical tissue. In the first generation of techniques, relief of pain was the main concern, which could be provided by techniques in which cartilage was replaced by fibrocartilage. Disappointing results led investigators to focus on more appropriate bioregenerative approaches using transplantation of autologous cells into the lesion. Unfortunately, none of these approaches has provided a perfect final solution to the problem. The latest generation of techniques, currently in the developmental or preclinical stages, involve biomaterials for the repair of chondral or osteochondral lesions. Many of these scaffolds are designed to be seeded with chondrocytes or progenitor cells. Among natural and synthetic polymers, collagen- and polysaccharide-based biomaterials have been extensively used. For both these supports, studies have shown that chondrocytes maintain their phenotype when cultured in three dimensions. In both types of culture, a glycosaminoglycan-rich deposit is formed on the surface and in the inner region of the cultured cartilage, and type II collagen synthesis is also observed. Dynamic conditions can also improve the composition of such three-dimensional constructs. Many improvements are still required, however, in a number of key aspects that so far have received only scant attention. These aspects include: adhesion/integration of the graft with the adjacent native cartilage, cell-seeding with genetically-modified cell populations, biomaterials that can be implanted without open joint surgery and combined therapies, aimed at disease modification, pain relief and reduction of inflammation.     

Improvement of PHBV Scaffolds with Bioglass for Cartilage Tissue Engineering

Polymer scaffold systems consisting of poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) have proven to be possible matrices for the three-dimensional growth of chondrocyte cultures. However, the engineered cartilage grown on these PHBV scaffolds is currently unsatisfactory for clinical applications due to PHBV’s poor hydrophilicity, resulting in inadequate thickness and poor biomechanical properties of the engineered cartilage. It has been reported that the incorporation of Bioglass (BG) into PHBV can improve the hydrophilicity of the composites. In this study, we compared the effects of PHBV scaffolds and PHBV/BG composite scaffolds on the properties of engineered cartilage in vivo. Rabbit articular chondrocytes were seeded into PHBV scaffolds and PHBV/BG scaffolds. Short-term in vitro culture followed by long-term in vivo transplantation was performed to evaluate the difference in cartilage regeneration between the cartilage layers grown on PHBV and PHBV/BG scaffolds. The results show that the incorporation of BG into PHBV efficiently improved both the hydrophilicity of the composites and the percentage of adhered cells and promoted cell migration into the inner part the constructs. With prolonged incubation time in vivo, the chondrocyte-scaffold constructs in the PHBV/BG group formed thicker cartilage-like tissue with better biomechanical properties and a higher cartilage matrix content than the constructs in the PHBV/BG group. These results indicate that PHBV/BG scaffolds can be used to prepare better engineered cartilage than pure PHBV.     

A second-generation autologous chondrocyte implantation approach to the treatment of focal articular cartilage defects

Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is the most widely used cell-based surgical procedure for the repair of articular cartilage defects. Challenges to successful ACI outcomes include limitation in defect size and geometry as well as inefficient cell retention. Second-generation ACI procedures have thus focused on developing three-dimensional constructs using native and synthetic biomaterials. Clinically significant and satisfactory results from applying autologous chondrocytes seeded in fibrin within a biodegradable polymeric material were recently reported. In the future, third-generation cell-based articular cartilage repair should focus on the use of chondroprogenitor cells and biofunctionalized biomaterials for more extensive and permanent repair.