Objective To investigate the feature and regularity of the collagen change in bone healing during bone lengthening. Methods Bone lengthening model was made in the middle segment of the rabbit tibia. Five days after the model was established, the bone was lengthened 1.5 mm perday for 14 days. The rabbits were put to death after elongation, 7,14,21,30,40,50,60 and 70 days after elongation. The distracted area of the bone was imbedded with paraffin. After being stained by the picric acidsirius red staining, the slice was observed under polarized microscope. Results The features of the collagen change in the distracted bone were as follows: ① In the fibrous tissue of the distracted area during lengthening period and the early stage after lengthening, there was not only collagen Ⅲ but alsomuch collagen Ⅰ. ② Collagen Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ were observed in the cartilage. ③ Collagen Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ were also observed in the pseudogrowth plate. ④ Collagen Ⅰ took the dominance during lengtheningperiod and the late stage after lengthening. Conclusion New bone formation in bone lengthening is under the distracted force, so the collagen changes have different features compared with that in fracture healing. Collagen Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲcan be identified by picric-acid-sirius red staining and polarized microscope, so a new method for studying the collagen typing in bone repairing is provided.
Objective Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) secretes many growth factors, including transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), platelet derived growth factor, vascular endothl ial growth factor, insul in-l ike growth factor 1, and so on, which can promote cell prol iferation, chemotaxis, and collagen synthesis in wound heal ing. To investigate the effects of PRPon the tendon heal ing, and to explore the mechanism of action so as to provide the experimental basis for the tissue engineered tendons. Methods Forty healthy New Zealand white rabbits, weighing 2.5-3.0 kg and male or female, were randomly divided into the experimental group (n=20) and the control group (n=20). PRP was prepared from arterial blood of rabbit’s ears through twice centrifugation method of Landesberg. The platelet concentrations of whole blood and PRP were determined. The right achilles tendons of the rabbits were transected to make rupture models. In experimental group, the tendon was sutured after PRP (0.5 mL) was immediately appl ied at repair site. In control group, the tendon was sutured directly after transection. At 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks after operation, the tendons of 5 rabbits in each group were harvested for morphological, histological, and immunohistochemical observations; the fibroblast counting, the content of collagen fibers, and the expression of TGF-β1 were detected. Results The concentration of platelet of PRP was 4.03 times of whole blood. All the animals survived till the end of the experiment, and the incision healed well. No death, infection, and other compl ications occurred. With time, the tendons almost healed in 2 groups, and the fibrous tissue at anastomosis site was more remarkable in control group than in experimental group. The histological observation showed significant differences in fibroblast counting at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after operation between 2 groups (P lt; 0.05), while no significant difference at 6 weeks (P gt; 0.05). The contents of collagen fibers in the parenchyma at repair site in experimental group were significantly higher than those in control group at each time point (P lt; 0.05). Immunohistochemistry staining showed the expression of TGF-β1 in experimental group was upregulated at 1 week and 2 weeks and reached the peak at the 2nd week, and subsequently downregulated at 4 and 6 weeks in comparison with the control group, showing signficant differences between 2 groups at each time point (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion PRP can facil itate rabbit’ s tendons heal ing and significantly improve the heal ing qual ity, which may be associated with its advancing the peak time of the TGF-β1 expression in tendon.
Objective To investigate the feasibil ity of alendronate (ALN) in treating osteoarthritis (OA) by observing the effects of ALN on interleukin 1β (IL-1β) induced chondrocytes of rat in vitro. Methods The chondrocytes of knee articular surface from 15 SD rats (1-month-old, female or male, weighing 100-150 g) were cultured. The chondrocytes were observed by inverted phase contrast microscope and identified by toluidine blue staining and HE staining. The third passage chondrocytes were divided into 3 groups: the chondrocytes were cultured with DMEM for 5 days in group A, with 10 ng/mL IL-1β for 2 days and with DMEM for 3 days in group B, and with 10 ng/mL IL-1β for 2 days and with 1 × 10-6 mol/L ALN for 3 days in group C. Immunocytochemistry and real-time PCR were performed to determine the expression levels of collagen type II (Col II), matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13), and β-catenin. Results Toluidine blue staining proved that the cultured cells were chondrocytes. The integrated absorbency (IA) value of Col II in group C (10.290 7 ± 0.499 2) was lower than that in group A (15.377 0 ± 0.571 8) and higher than that in group B (5.463 2 ± 0.450 4), showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05). The IA value of MMP-13 in group C (3.068 6 ± 0.205 6) was significantly lower than that in group B (6.998 1 ± 0.329 7, P lt; 0.05), but there was no significant differenc when compared with group A (2.777 5 ± 0.199 6, P gt; 0.05). The IA value of β-catenin in group C (6.611 7 ± 0.381 8) was lower than that in group B (11.799 9 ± 0.348 7) and higher than that in group A (4.390 3 ± 0.551 9), showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05). The mRNA expression of Col II in group C was significantly higher than those in groups A and B (P lt; 0.05), the mRNA expression of MMP-13 in group C was significantly lower than that in group B (P lt; 0.05) but there was no significant difference when compared with group A (P gt; 0.05). The mRNA expression of β-catenin in group C was significantly lower than that in group B (P lt; 0.05) and higher than that in group A (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion ALN can protect rat chondrocyte from OA induced by IL-1β in vitro possibly by upregulating Col II and inhibiting the expression of MMP-13 and β-catenin in the chondrocytes.
Objective To constitute a new collagen gel artificial skin by using ch ito san as one of the components. Methods Human fo resk in fibroblasts were incorporated into thechitosan-collagen-GAGs to constitute dermal equivalent(DE). The growth of fibroblasts incorporated in gels and several factors which influenced the contraction of the gel were observed. The influence of different chitosan contents on the growth of fibroblast and keratinocyte and on the antibacterial effect were studied. Keratinocytes separated from normal children foresk in were seeded on the matured DE to reconstruct artificial skin, which was immersed at the early stage of culture, then lifted to an air-liquid interface. The structure of the DE and artificial skin were analysed by histology and scanning electron microscope. Results The contraction rate of the DE was proportional to the number of fibroblasts, and the final size of the DE was inversely proportional to the concent ration of collagen protein. Fibroblasts incorporated into the gel showed the exponential growth from the 2nd day to the 9th day. Chitosan-collagen-GAGs had no inhibition effect on the growth of fibroblasts, but promoted the growth of eratinocytes. Staphylococcus aureus was inh ibited even more as chitosan content increased. Scanning electron micro scopy indicated that the DE had abundant porous fabrication. Artificial skin shared some histological features of normal skin, which consisted of a good strat ifiedepiderm is and a dense dermis. Conclusion Chitosan-Collagen-GAGs collagen gelart ificial skin is a new collagen gel living artificial skin which has certain antibacterial ability and stratified epiderm is and dense dermis structure like normal skin.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the distribution and effect of endogenic bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) in repairing rabbit skull with tissue engineered bone. METHODS: The autologous osteoblast-like cells were instantly implanted onto polyglycolic acid (PGA) matrix coated with collagen. The rabbit skull defect models were established by resection of bilateral 1.5 cm x 1.0 cm full-thickness parietal bone in 18 New Zealand rabbits, which were randomly divided into two groups. In one group, the composite of osteoblast- like cells and PGA matrix were grafted into the defect on one side of the skull as experimental group I, leaving the same defect area on the other side as control group without any graft implanted. In the other group, simply PGA was done in the same way as experimental group II. The tissue samples were harvested at 3, 8 and 14 days postoperatively and examined by histological and immunohistochemistry methods. The concentrations of BMP in different regions of the samples were measured using computer image analysis system. RESULTS: After 3 days of operation, the BMP positive cells were found in the matrix of experimental group I. At 8 days postoperatively, the formation of new bone on experimental group I was prior to that of experimental group II and control group. On the 14th day, bone trabecula was formed on the experimental group I, but there was only fibrous tissue on control group. The concentration of BMP on the experimental group I and II were higher than that of corresponding region on control side. CONCLUSION: The osteoblast-like cells instantly implanted onto PGA matrix can synthesize and secrete BMP. It may be one of the reasons of tissue engineered bone inducing new bone regeneration that localizing endogenic BMP in bone defect area, increasing the concentration of endogenic BMP and improving its distribution by tissue engineering technique.
Objective To develop three-dimensional (3D) porous nanofiber scaffold of PLGA-silk fibroincollagen and to investigate its cytocompatibil ity in vitro. Methods Method of electrostatic spinning was used to prepare 3D porous nanofiber scaffold of PLGA-silk fibroin-collagen (the experimental group) and 3D porous nanofiber scaffold of PLGA (the control group). The scaffold in each group was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The parameters of scaffold fiber diameter, porosity, water absorption rate, and tensile strength were detected. SC harvested from the bilateral brachial plexus and sciatic nerve of 8 SD suckl ing rats of inbred strains were cultured. SC purity was detected by S-100 immunohistochemistry staining. The SCs at passage 4 (5 × 104 cells/mL) were treated with the scaffold extract of each group at a concentration of 25%, 50%, and 100%, respectively; the cells treated with DMEM served as blank control group. MTT method was used to detect absorbance (A) value 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after culture. The SC at passage 4 were seeded on the scaffold of the experimental and the control group, respectively. SEM observation was conducted 2, 4, and 6 days after co-culture, and laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) observation was performed 4 days after co-culture for the growth condition of SC on the scaffold. Results SEM observation: the scaffold in two groups had interconnected porous network structure; the fiber diameter in the experimental and the control group was (141 ± 9) nm and (205 ± 11) nm, respectively; the pores in the scaffold were interconnected; the porosity was 87.4% ± 1.1% and 85.3% ± 1.3%, respectively; the water absorption rate was 2 647% ± 172% and 2 593% ± 161%, respectively; the tensile strength was (0.32 ± 0.03) MPa and (0.28 ± 0.04) MPa, respectively. S-100 immunohistochemistry staining showed that the SC purity was 96.5% ± 1.3%. MTT detection: SC grew well in the different concentration groups and the control group, the absorbance (A) value increased over time, significant differences were noted among different time points in the same group (P lt; 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the different concentration groups and the blank control group at different time points (P gt; 0.05). SEM observation: in the experimental group, SC grew well on the scaffold, axon connection occurred 4 days after co-culture, the cells prol iferated massively and secreted matrix 6 days after co-culture, and the growth condition of the cells was better than the control group. The condition observed by LSCM 4 days after co-culture was the same as that of SEM. Conclusion The 3D porous nanofiber scaffoldof PLGA-silk fibroin-collagen prepared by the method of electrostatic spinning is safe, free of toxicity, and suitable for SC growth, and has good cytocompatibil ity and proper aperture and porosity. It is a potential scaffold carrier for tissue engineered nerve.
Objective To investigate the effects of transformin growth factor-beta (TGF-beta;) and interferon-gamma(IFN-gamma;)on collagen synthesis in human retinal pigment epithelial cells(RPE)． Methods TGF-beta;(0.01～10 ng/ml),recombinant IFN-gamma;(100～10000 Ｕ/ml)or a combination of two were added to cultures of RPE and collagen synthesis of the cells were measured by3 H-proline incorporation assay,indirect immunofluorescence staining and dot-blot hybridization. Results TGF-beta; at 10 ng/ml increased cell uptake of 3 H-proline to 130．87% of controls．It intensified Type IV,I and Ⅲ collagen fluorescent staining as well as mRNA expression．IFN-gamma; at 10000 Ｕ/ml caused 54．72% inhibition of 3 H-proline uptake by RPE,and decreased TypeⅣ collagen fluorescent staining as well as mRNA expression of Type Ⅳ,I and Ⅲ collagens. Conclusion TGF-beta; and IFN-gamma; stimulated and inhibited collagen synthesis of human RPE,respectively．The combination of two had antagonistic effects．IFN-gamma; can be used for inhibition of collagen synthesis of RPE. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 1999, 15: 245-248)
Objective To review and evaluate the extensive and further research and the application of the collagenbased biomaterials in the field of clinical medicine. Methods The clinical research and application of collagen-based biomaterials were comprehensively reviewed and evaluated on the basis of the up-to-date publications and our practical experiences in their studies and manufacturing. Results The following five aspects concerned with the collagen-based biomaterials were evaluated: biological property, quality control, formulation of substrate and clinical application, immunogenicity and clinical side effect, and potential of the market development. Conclusion Collgen-based biomaterials have a great potential and market space in their clinical application.
Objective:To detect collagen I synthesis activity in the vitreous of PVR induced by macrophages in rabbits. Methods:PC Ⅲ (Procollagen Ⅲ ) concentrations were measured by radioim- munoassay in the vitreous samples of 14 rabbit eyes with experimental PVR and 14 control eyes. Results:The mean PC Ⅲ concentration on the 7th day after macrophage injection as 257.58mu;g/L(range,236.04~266.88mu;g/L,n= 4)and significantly increased on the 14th day later. On the 28th day the mean concentration of PC Ⅲ as 912.23mu;g/L (range, 881.36~943.10mu;g/L ;n= 2). There was a significant difference between the 7th and the 14th, 21st of 28th day statistically(P＜0.05). PC Ⅲ was not detected in control eyes. Conclusion:The PC Ⅲ level in the vitreous of rabbit eyes with experimental PVR increased significantly from the 7th to the 28th day after macrophages injection and is well consistent with the time course of scarring and the development of traction retinal detachment in the PVR model. （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1996,12: 43-44）
Objective To analyze the contents of collagen type Ⅰ, type Ⅲ and the ratio of collagen type Ⅰ to collagen type Ⅲ in posterior rectus sheath of different person. Methods One hundred and four tissues specimen of posterior rectus sheath were obtained during patients’ abdominal operation. The contents of collagen type Ⅰand type Ⅲ were detected by using immunohistochemistry methods. The differences of collagen contents between male and female, physical work group and non-physical work group, smoking group and non-smoking group were observed. The relationships between the contents of collagen and age, body mass index (BMI), and height were analyzed, respectively. Results ① The content of collagen typeⅠand the ratio of collagen type Ⅰ／Ⅲ were both lower in male than those in female （Plt;0.01）； there were no obvious differences in the content of collagen type Ⅲ and the total amount of collagen （Pgt;0.05）. ② There were no differences between physical work group and non-physical work group with the amount and the ratio of collagens （Pgt;0.05）. ③ When compared with non-smoking group, less collagen typeⅠ(Plt;0.01) and lower ratio of collagen Ⅰ／Ⅲ （Plt;0.05） were found in smoking group； but there was no difference with content of collagen Ⅲ（Pgt;0.05）, as well as the total amount of collagen （Pgt;0.05）. ④ The total amount of collagen, the content of collagen type Ⅰand the ratio of collagen Ⅰ／Ⅲ all decreased as age increases （r=0.341, 0.392, 0.212， P＜0.001, Plt;0.05）； no obvious change was observed in the content of collagen Ⅲ （r=0.089， Pgt;0.05）. ⑤ The content and ratio of collagen had no obvious relationships with BMI and height （Pgt;0.05）. Conclusion Smoking, gender and age are all influential factors of the content and ratio of collagens in the tissue.