Objective To review the latest research progress of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), to thoroughly understand different functions of HO-1 and its influence on osteogenesis and angiogenesis of stem cells, and to analyze HO-1 application in bone tissue engineering. Methods Domestic and international literature on HO-1 in recent years was extensively reviewed and analyzed. Results The activity of HO-1 and its enzymatic products not only have the properties of anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis, and cytoprotection, but also can promote angiogenesis combined with other growth factors and protect the vessel which already exist. Moreover, HO-1 has an effect on the proliferation, paracrine signaling, osteoblastic differentiation, and anti-apoptosis of stem cells. Conclusion HO-1 can be used as a multi-function growth factor in bone tissue engineering, but more investigation should emphasis on synergistic effect of each function so as to improve bone repair.
Objective To investigate the application potential of alginate-strontium (Sr) hydrogel as an injectable scaffold material in bone tissue engineering. Methods The alginate-Sr/-calcium (Ca) hydrogel beads were fabricated by adding 2.0wt% alginate sodium to 0.2 mol/L SrCl2/CaCl2 solution dropwise. Microstructure, modulus of compression, swelling rate, and degradability of alginate-Sr/-Ca hydrogels were tested. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were isolated from femoral bones of rabbits by flushing of marrow cavity. BMSCs at passage 5 were seeded onto the alginate-Sr hydrogel (experimental group) and alginate-Ca hydrogel (control group), and the viability and proliferation of BMSCs in 2 alginate hydrogels were assessed. The osteogenic differentiation of cells embeded in 2 alginate hydrogels was evaluated by alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity, osteoblast specific gene [Osterix (OSX), collagen type I, and Runx2] expression level and calcium deposition by fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR and alizarin red staining, Von Kossa staining. The BMSCs which were embeded in alginate-Ca hydrogel and cultured with common growth medium were harvested as blank control group. Results The micromorphology of alginate-Sr hydrogel was similar to that of the alginate-Ca hydrogel, with homogeneous pore structure; the modulus of compression of alginate-Sr hydrogel and alginate-Ca hydrogel was (186.53 ± 8.37) and (152.14 ± 7.45) kPa respectively, showing significant difference (t=6.853, P=0.002); there was no significant difference (t=0.737, P=0.502) in swelling rate between alginate-Sr hydrogel (14.32% ± 1.53%) and alginate-Ca hydrogel (15.25% ± 1.64%). The degradabilities of 2 alginate hydrogels were good; the degradation rate of alginate-Sr hydrogel was significantly lower than that of alginate-Ca hydrogel on the 20th, 25th, and 30th days (P lt; 0.05). At 1-4 days, the morphology of cells on 2 alginate hydrogels was spherical and then the shape was spindle or stellate. When three-dimensional cultured for 21 days, the DNA content of BMSCs in experimental group [(4.38 ± 0.24) g] was significantly higher than that in control group [(3.25 ± 0.21) g ] (t=8.108, P=0.001). On the 12th day after osteogenic differentiation, the ALP activity in experimental group was (15.28 ± 1.26) U/L, which was significantly higher than that in control group [(12.07 ± 1.12) U/L] (P lt; 0.05). Likewise, the mRNA expressions of OSX, collagen type I, and Runx2 in experimental group were significantly higher than those in control group (P lt; 0.05). On the 21th day after osteogenic differentiation, alizarin red staining and Von Kossa staining showed calcium deposition in 2 groups; the calcium nodules and phosphate deposition in experimental group were significantly higher than those in control group (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Alginate-Sr hydrogel has good physicochemical properties and can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, so it is an excellent injectable scaffold material for bone tissue engineering.
Objective To review the research progress of the osteogenic effect of strontium (Sr) and its application in the orthopaedics. Methods The recent literature concerning the osteogenic effect of Sr and its application in orthopaedics at home and abroad was extensively reviewed, and the research and development were summarized. Results Both in vivo and in vitro studies showed that Sr could enhance bone formation and inhibit bone resorption. Clinically, Sr was applied for treatment of osteoporosis, composite biomaterials in tissue engineering, and treatment of bone tumors and bone metastases. Conclusion Sr is one important combined element of alternative materials in bone tissue engineering, and can strengthen the mechanical and biological properties of the bone replacement material, so it has some development potential in bone tissue engineering.
Objective Tissue engineered bone implanted with sensory nerve can effectively promote angiogenesis and repair of bone defects. To investigate the effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on proliferation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) for further revealing the mechanism of tissue engineered bone implanted with sensory nerve promoting angiogenesis. Methods HUVECs were collected from human umbilical core, and identified through von Willebrand factor (vWF) and CD31 immunofluorescence. The HUVECs were treated with CGRP and were ivided into 6 groups according to CGRP concentration: group A (0 mol/L), group B (1 × 10—12 mol/L), group C (1 × 10—11 mol/L), group D (1 × 10—10 mol/L), group E (1 × 10—9 mol/L), and group F (1 × 10—8 mol/L). The expression of the CGRP1 receptor (CGRP1R) was observed in HUVECs by cell immunofluorescence. The growth rate of HUVECs was detected through AlarmarBlue at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 days. Transwell chamber was used to detect the abil ity of cell migration. ELISA assay was used to detect the vascular endothel ial growth factor (VEGF) secretion and the protein expression of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was examined using Western blot. Results HUVECs were identified through morphology, vWF and CD31 immunofluorescence. HUVECs expressed CGRP1R. CGRP could stimulate HUVECs prol iferation in a time- and concentration-dependent manners; the cell growth rates of groups B-F were significantly higher than that of group A at all time (P lt; 0.05); group F had highest cell growth rate. The number of cell migration of group B-F was significantly higher than that of group A (P lt; 0.05), which increased more than 3 times. Groups B-F had higher amount of VEGF than group A (P lt; 0.05), and groups C and D had highest amount of VEGF. FAK expression of groups B-F was significantly increased at 3, 7, and 10 days after CGRP treatment when compared with group A (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion CGRP may enhance the proliferation and migration of HUVECs by increasing the secretion of VEGF and expression of FAK.
ObjectiveTo review the progress of cell sheet technology (CST) and its application in bone tissue engineering. MethodsThe literature concerning CST and its application was extensively reviewed and analyzed. ResultsCST using temperature-responsive culture dishes is applied to avoid the shortcomings of traditional tissue engineering. All cultured cells are harvested as intact sheets along with their deposited extracellular matrix. Avoiding the use of proteolytic enzymes, cell sheet composed of the cells and extracellular matrix derived from the cells, and remained the relative protein and biological activity factors. Consequently, cell sheet can provide a suitable microenvironment for the bone regeneration in vivo. With CST, cell sheet engineering is allowed for tissue regeneration by the creation of three-dimensional structures via the layering of individual cell sheets, be created by wrapping scaffold with cell sheets, or be created by folding the cell sheets, showing great potential in tissue engineered bone. ConclusionConstructing tissue engineered bone using CST and traditional method of bone tissue engineering will promote the development of the bone tissue engineering.
Objective To investigate the ectopic bone formation of the chitosan/phosphonic chitosan sponge combined with human umbil ical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) in vitro. Methods Phosphorous groups were introduced in chitosan molecules to prepare the phosphonic chitosan; 2% chitosan and phosphonic chitosan solutions were mixed at a volume ratio of 1 ∶ 1 and freeze-dried to build the complex sponge, and then was put in the simulated body fluid for biomimetic mineral ization in situ. The hUCMSCs were isolated by enzyme digestion method from human umbil ical cord and were cultured. The chitosan/phosphonic chitosan sponge was cultured with hUCMSCs at passage 3, and the cell-scaffoldcomposite was cultured in osteogenic medium. The growth and adhesion of the cells on the scaffolds were observed by l ight microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) at 1 and 2 weeks after culturing, respectively. The cell prol iferation was detected by MTT assay at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 days, respectively. Bilateral back muscles defects were created on 40 New Zealand rabbits (3-4 months old, weighing 2.1-3.2 kg, male or female), which were divided into groups A, B, and C. In group A, cellscaffold composites were implanted into 40 right defects; in group B, the complex sponge was implanted into 20 left defects; and in group C, none was implanted into other 20 left defects. The gross and histological observations were made at 4 weeks postoperatively. Results The analysis results of phosphonic chitosan showed that the phosphorylation occurred mainly in the hydroxyl, and the proton type and chemical shifts intensity were conform to its chemical structure. The SEM results showed that the pores of the chitosan/phosphonic chitosan sponge were homogeneous, and the wall of the pore was thinner; the coating of calcium and phosphorus could be observed on the surface of the pore wall after mineral ized with crystal particles; the cells grew well on the surface of the chitosan/phosphonic chitosan sponge. The MTT assay showed that the chitosan/phosphonic chitosan sponge could not inhibit the prol iferation of hUCMSCs. The gross observation showed that the size and shape of the cell-scaffold composite remained intact and texture was toughened in group A, the size of the complex sponge gradually reducedin group B, and the muscle defects wound healed with a l ittle scar tissue in group C. The histological observation showed that part of the scaffold was absorbed and new blood vessels and new bone trabeculae formed in group A, the circular cavity and residual chitosan scaffolds were observed in group B, and the wound almost healed with a small amount of lymphocytes in group C. Conclusion The chitosan/phosphonic chitosan sponge has good biocompatibil ity, the tissue engineered bone by combining the hUCMSCs with chitosan/phosphonic chitosan sponge has the potential of the ectopic bone formation in rabbit.
Objective To review recent advance in the research and appl ication of computer aided forming techniques for constructing bone tissue engineering scaffolds. Methods The l iterature concerning computer aided forming techniques for constructing bone tissue engineering scaffolds in recent years was reviewed extensively and summarized Results Several studies over last decade have focused on computer aided forming techniques for bone scaffold construction using various scaffold materials, which is based on computer aided design (CAD) and bone scaffold rapid prototyping (RP). CAD include medical CAD, STL, and reverse design. Reverse design can fully simulate normal bone tissue and could be very useful for the CAD. RP techniques include fused deposition model ing, three dimensional printing, selected laser sintering, three dimensional bioplotting, and low-temperature deposition manufacturing. These techniques provide a new way to construct bone tissue engineering scaffolds with complex internal structures. Conclusion With rapid development of molding and forming techniques, computer aided forming techniques are expected to provide ideal bone tissue engineering scaffolds.
Objective Rapid and effective vascularization of scaffolds used for bone tissue engineering is critical to bony repair. To study the cooperative and promotion effects of enhanced bioactive glass/collagen composite scaffold on vascularization for searching for a kind of el igible vascularized scaffold to repair bone defect. Methods The human umbil ical vein endothel ial cells (HUVECs) were collected from human umbil ical core, and identified through von Willebrandfactor (vWF) and CD34 immunofluorescence. The 1st passage of HUVECs were suspensed and seeded into the scaffold. The attachment and prol iferation of HUVECs on the scaffold were observed through scanning electron microscope (SEM). HUVECs were seeded on the scaffold as the experimental group, and on 96-well plate as the control group. The growth rate of HUVECs was detected through alarmarBlue at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 days. Meanwhile, the mRNA expression levels of VEGF, fms-related tyrosine kinase 1 (Flt-1), and kinase insert domain receptor (Kdr) were detected through real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Twelve scaffolds were embedded subcutaneouly into 6 Sprague-Dawley rats. The enhanced scaffolds were used and the arteria and vein saphena bundle were embedded straightly through the central slot of scaffold in experimental group, and the common scaffolds were used in control group. Frozen section and HE staining of scaffolds were performed at 5 days and 10 days to observe the vascularization of embedded scaffold. Results HUVECs were identified through morphology, vWF and CD34 immunofluorescence. SEM results showed HUVECs could attach to the scaffold tightly and viably. HUVECs prol iferated actively on the scaffold in experimental group; the growth rate in experimental group was higher than that in control group at 3-11 days, showing significant differences within 5-11 days (P lt; 0.05). The real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR results showed thatthe mRNA expression levels of VEGF, Flt-1, and Kdr in experimental group were higher than those in control group at 3 days, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05). Frozen section and HE staining of the scaffolds in experimental group showed that the embedded vessel bundle were still patency at 5 days and 10 days, that many new vessels were observed around the embedded vessel bundle and increased with time, host vessels infiltrated in the surrounding area of scaffold and fewer neo-vessels at the distant area. But there was only some fibrous tissue appeared in control group, and at 10 days, the common scaffold degradated, so few normal tissue appeared at the embedded area. Conclusion Enhanced bioactive glass/collagen composite scaffold can promote vascularization in vitro and in vivo, and may be used in bone tissue engineering.
Objective To review new progress of related research of bone tissue engineering in recent years. Methods Domestic and international l iterature concerning bone tissue engineering was reviewed and analyzed. Results In the recent years, great progression had been made in the research and development of bone tissue engineering, it had been used in more and more hospitals, and relevant national regulations and protocols had been set up. As to seed cells of bone tissue engineering, autologous and allogeneic stem cells had been widely used, while recently embryonic stem cells and induced pluri potent stem cells had attracted most attentions. In the field of scaffolds materials, significant improvementshad been made, from natural extractions to artificial polymers; from single construction to multiple compounds with surface modifications. As to the methods of construction, the static seeding approach had been widely accepted, and the appl ications of bioreactor had provided a stable and various micro-enviroment for the vitro-culture of different stem cells, which had beenregarded as an alternative way of vitro-culture and construction for bone tissue engineering. Conclusion With the tremendous help of the techniques and approaches above, we shall expect a promising future of a new generation bone tissue engineering based medical products in the years to come.
Objective To study the feasibil ity of preparation of the poly-D, L-lactide acid (PDLLA) scaffolds treated by ammonia plasma and subsequent conjugation of Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (GRGDS) peptides via amide l inkage formation. Methods PDLLA scaffolds (8 mm diameter, 1 mm thickness) were prepared by solvent casting/particulate leaching procedure and then treated by ammonia plasma. The consequent scaffolds were labeled as aminated PDLLA (A/ PDLLA). The pore size, porosity, and surface water contact angle of groups 0 (un-treated control), 5, 10, and 20 minutes A/ PDLLA were measured. A/PDLLA scaffolds in groups above were immersed into the FITC labelled GRGDS aqueous solutionwhich contain 1-[3-(dimethylamino) propyl]-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC.HCl) and N-hydroxysuccinimide(NHS), the molar ratio of peptides/EDC.HCL /NHS was 1.5 ∶ 1.5 ∶ 1.0, then brachytely sloshed for 24 hours in roomtemperature. The consequent scaffolds were labelled as peptides conjugated A/PDLLA (PA/PDLLA). The scaffolds in groups 0, 5, 10, and 20 minutes A/PDLLA and groups correspondingly conjugation of peptides were detected using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The scaffolds in groups of conjugation of peptides were measured by confocal laser scanning microscope and high performance l iquid chromatography (HPLC), un-treated and un-conjugated scaffolds employed as control. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) from SD rats were isolated and cultured by whole bone marrow adherent culture method. BMSCs at the 3rd–6th passages were seeded to the scaffolds as follows: 20 minutes ammonia plasma treatment (group A/PDLLA), 20 minutes ammonia plasma treatment and conjugation of GRGDS (group PA/PDLLA), and untreated PDLLA control (group PDLLA). After 16 hours of culture, the adhesive cells on scaffolds and the adhesive rate were calculated. After 4 and 8 days of culture, the BMSCs/scaffold composites was observed by scanning electron micorscope (SEM). Results No significant difference in pore size and porosity of PDLLA were observed between before and after ammonia plasma treatments (P gt; 0.05). With increased time of ammonia plasma treatment, the water contact angle of A/PDLLA scaffolds surface was decreased, and the hydrophil icity in the treated scaffolds was improved gradually, showing significant differences when these groups were compared with each other (P lt; 0.001). XPS results indicated that element nitrogen appeared on the surface of PDLLA treated by ammonia plasma. With time passing, the peak N1s became more visible, and the ratio of N/C increased more obviously. AfterPDLLA scaffolds treated for 0, 5, 10, and 20 minutes with ammonia plasma and subsequent conjugation of peptides, the ratio of N/C increased and the peak of S2p appeared on the surface. The confocal laser scanning microscope observation showed that the fluorescence intensity of PA/PDLLA scaffolds increased obviously with treatment time. The amount of peptides conjugated for 10 minutes and 20 minutes PA/PDLLA was detected by HPLC successfully, showing significant differences between 10 minutes and 20 minutes groups (P lt; 0.001). However, the amount of peptides conjugated in un-treated control and 0, 5 minutes PA/PDLLA scaffolds was too small to detect. After 16 hours co-culture of BMSCs/scaffolds, the adhesive cells and the adhesive rates of A/PDLLA and PA/PDLLA scaffolds were higher than those of PDLLA scaffolds, showing significant difference between every 2 groups (P lt; 0.01). Also, SEM observation confirmed that BMSCs proliferation in A/PDLLA and PA/PDLLA groups was more detectable than that in PDLLA group, especially in PA/PDLLA group. Conclusion Ammonia plasma treatment will significantly increase the amount of FITC-GRGDS peptides conjugated to surface of PDLLA via amide l inkage formation. This new type of biomimetic bone has stablized bioactivities and has proved to promote the adhesion and proliferation of BMSCs in PDLLA.