Objective To review the research progress of in-situ three dimensional (3D) bio-printing technology in the repair of bone and cartilage injuries. Methods Literature on the application of in-situ 3D bio-printing technology to repair bone and cartilage injuries at home and abroad in recent years was reviewed, analyzed, and summarized. Results As a new tissue engineering technology, in-situ 3D bio-printing technology is mainly applied to repair bone, cartilage, and skin tissue injuries. By combining biomaterials, bioactive substances, and cells, tissue is printed directly at the site of injury or defect. At present, the research on the technology mainly focuses on printing mode, bio-ink, and printing technology; the application research in the field of bone and cartilage mainly focuses on pre-vascularization, adjusting the composition of bio-ink, improving scaffold structure, printing technology, loading drugs, cells, and bioactive factors, so as to promote tissue injury repair. Conclusion Multiple animal experiments have confirmed that in-situ 3D bio-printing technology can construct bone and cartilage tissue grafts in a real-time, rapid, and minimally invasive manner. In the future, it is necessary to continue to develop bio-inks suitable for specific tissue grafts, as well as combine with robotics, fusion imaging, and computer-aided medicine to improve printing efficiency.
【Abstract】 Objective To investigate the secretion of target gene and differentiation of BMSCs transfected by TGF-β1 and IGF-1 gene alone and together into chondrocytes and to provide a new method for culturing seed cells in cartilage tissue engineering. Methods The plasmids pcDNA3.1-IGF-1 and pcDNA3.1-TGF-β1 were ampl ified and extracted, then cut by enzymes, electrophoresed and analyzed its sequence. BMSCs of Wistar rats were separated and purificated by the density gradient centrifugation and adherent separation. The morphologic changes of primary and passaged cells were observed by inverted phase contrast microscope and cell surface markers were detected by immunofluorescence method. According to the transfect situation, the BMSCs were divided into 5 groups, the non-transfected group (Group A), the group transfected by empty vector (Group B), the group transfected by TGF-β1 (Group C), the group transfected by IGF-1 (Group D) and the group transfected both by TGF-β1 and IGF-1 (Group E). After being transfected, the cells were selected, then the prol iferation activity was tested by MTT and expression levels were tested by RT-PCR and Western blot. Results The result of electrophoresis showedthat sequence of two bands of the target genes, IGF-1 and TGF-β1, was identical with the sequence of GeneBank cDNA. A few adherent cells appeared after 24 hours culture, typical cluster formed on the forth or fifth days, and 80%-90% of the cells fused with each other on the ninth or tenth days. The morphology of the cells became similar after passaging. The immunofluorescence method showed that BMSCs were positive for CD29 and CD44, but negative for CD34 and CD45. A few cells died after 24 hoursof transfection, cell clone formed at 3 weeks after selection, and the cells could be passaged at the forth week, most cells became polygonal. The boundary of some cells was obscure. The cells were round and their nucleus were asymmetry with the particles which were around the nucleus obviously. The absorbency values of the cells tested by MTT at the wavelength of 490 nm were0.432 ± 0.038 in group A, 0.428 ± 0.041 in group B, 0.664 ± 0.086 in group C, 0.655 ± 0.045 in group D and 0.833 ± 0.103 in group E. The differences between groups A, B and groups C, D, E were significant (P lt; 0.01). The differences between groups A and B or between C, D and E were not significant (P gt; 0.05)。RT-PCR and Western blot was served to detect the expression of the target gene and protein. TGF-β1 was the highest in group C, 0.925 0 ± 0.022 0, 124.341 7 ± 2.982 0, followed by group E, 0.771 7 ± 0.012 0, 101.766 7 ± 1.241 0（P lt; 0.01）; The expression of IGF-1 was the highest in group E, 1.020 0 ± 0.026 0, 128.171 7 ± 9.152 0, followed by group D, 0.465 0 ± 0.042 0, 111.045 0 ± 6.248 0 （P lt; 0.01）. And the expression of collagen II was the hignest in group E, 0.980 0 ± 0.034 0, 120.355 0 ± 12.550 0, followed by group C, 0.720 0 ± 0.026 0, 72.246 7 ± 7.364 0（P lt; 0.01）. Conclusion The repairment of cartilage defects by BMSCs transfected with TGF-β1 and IGF-1 gene together hasa good prospect and important significance of cl inic appl ication in cartilage tissue engineering.
Objective To investigate the antioxidant and osteogenic induction capabilities of calcium phosphate nanoflowers (hereinafter referred to as nanoflowers) in vitro at different concentrations. Methods Nanoflowers were prepared using gelatin, tripolyphosphate, and calcium chloride. Their morphology, microstructure, elemental composition and distribution, diameter, and molecular constitution were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Femurs and tibias were harvested from twelve 4-week-old Sprague Dawley rats, and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were isolated and cultured using the whole bone marrow adherent method, followed by passaging. The third passage cells were identified as stem cells by flow cytometry and then co-cultured with nanoflowers at concentrations of 0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, 2.0, 2.4, 2.8, 3.2, and 3.6 mg/mL. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay was performed to screen for the optimal concentration that demonstrated the best cell viability, which was subsequently used as the experimental concentration for further studies. After co-culturing BMSCs with the screened concentration of nanoflowers, the biocompatibility of the nanoflowers was verified through live/dead cell staining, scratch assay, and cytoskeleton staining. The antioxidant capacity was assessed by using reactive oxygen species (ROS) fluorescence staining. The in vitro osteoinductive ability was evaluated via alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, alizarin red staining, and immunofluorescence staining of osteocalcin (OCN) and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2). All the above indicators were compared with the control group of normally cultured BMSCs without the addition of nanoflowers. Results Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the prepared nanoflowers exhibited a flower-like structure; transmission electron microscopy scans discovered that the nanoflowers possessed a multi-layered structure, and high-magnification images displayed continuous atomic arrangements, with the nanoflower diameter measuring (2.00±0.25) μm; energy-dispersive spectroscopy indicated that the nanoflowers contained elements such as C, N, O, P, and Ca, which were uniformly distributed across the flower region; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyzed the absorption peaks of each component, demonstrating the successful preparation of the nanoflowers. Through CCK-8 screening, the concentrations of 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6 mg/mL were selected for subsequent experiments. The live/dead cell staining showed that nanoflowers at different concentrations exhibited good cell compatibility, with the 1.2 mg/mL concentration being the best (P<0.05). The scratch assay results indicated that the cell migration ability in the 1.2 mg/mL group was superior to the other groups (P<0.05). The cytoskeleton staining revealed that the cell morphology was well-extended in all concentration groups, with no significant difference compared to the control group. The ROS fluorescence staining demonstrated that the ROS fluorescence in all concentration groups decreased compared to the control group after lipopolysaccharide induction (P<0.05), with the 1.2 mg/mL group showing the weakest fluorescence. The ALP staining showed blue-purple nodular deposits around the cells in all groups, with the 1.2 mg/mL group being significantly more prominent. The alizarin red staining displayed orange-red mineralized nodules around the cells in all groups, with the 1.2 mg/mL group having more and denser nodules. The immunofluorescence staining revealed that the expressions of RUNX2 and OCN proteins in all concentration groups increased compared to the control group, with the 1.2 mg/mL group showing the strongest protein expression (P<0.05). Conclusion The study successfully prepares nanoflowers, among which the 1.2 mg/mL nanoflowers exhibits excellent cell compatibility, antioxidant properties, and osteogenic induction capability, demonstrating their potential as an artificial bone substitute material.
Scaffold is one of the key elements required for tissue engineering. Porous scaffolds have several special advantages for muscle tissue engineering, and they are beneficial to cell survival, myogenic differentiation, and vascular ingrowth. The performance of porous scaffolds is closely related to the property of the biomaterials used. Additionally, the pore size and porosity may affect cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. This review focuses on the application of porous scaffolds in muscle tissue engineering, including their categories, application, and advantages.
Objective To investigate the cellular compatibil ity of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/wild antheraea pernyisilk fibroin (WSF), and to explore the feasibil ity for tendon tissue engineering scaffold in vitro. Methods The solutions of WSF (11%), PVA (11%), and PVA/WSF (11%) were prepared with 98% formic acid (mass fraction) at a mass ratio of 9 : 1. The electrospinning membranes of WSF, PVA, and PVA/WSF were prepared by electrostatic spinning apparatus. The morphologies of scaffolds were evaluated using scanning electronic microscope (SEM). The tendon cells were isolated from tail tendon of 3-dayold Sprague Dawley rats in vitro. The experiment was performed using the 3rd generation cells. The tendon cells (1 × 106/mL) were cocultured with PVA and PVA/WSF electrospinning film, respectively, and MTT test was used to assess the cell adhesion rate 4, 12 hours after coculture. The tendon cells were cultured in PVA and PVA/WSF extraction medium of different concentration (1, 1/2, and 1/4), respectively; and the absorbance (A) values were detected at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days to evaluate the cytotoxicity. The composite of tendon cells and the PVA or PVA/WSF scaffold were observed by HE staining at 7 days and characterized by SEM at 1,3, 5, and 7 days. Results The solution of WSF could not be used to electrospin; and the solution of PVA and PVA/WSF could be electrospun. After coculture of tendon and PVA or PVA/WSF electrospinning membranes, the cell adhesion rates were 26.9% ±0.4% and 87.0% ± 1.0%, respectively for 4 hours, showing significant difference (t=100.400, P=0.000); the cell adhesion rates were 35.2% ± 0.6% and 110.0% ± 1.7%, respectively for 12 hours, showing significant difference (t=42.500, P=0.000). The cytotoxicity of PVA/WSF was less significantly than that of PVA (P lt; 0.05) and significant difference was observed between 1/2 PVA and 1/4PVA (P lt; 0.05). HE staining and SEM images showed that the tendon cells could adhere to PVA and PVA/WSF scaffolds, but that the cells grew better in PVA/WSF scaffold than in PVA scaffold in vitro. Conclusion PVA/WSF electrospinning membrane scaffold has good cell compatibility, and it is expected to be an ideal scaffold of tendon tissue engineering.
ObjectiveTo review the application and research progress of in vivo bioreactor as vascularization strategies in bone tissue engineering. MethodsThe original articles about in vivo bioreactor that can enhance vascularization of tissue engineered bone were extensively reviewed and analyzed. ResultsThe in vivo bioreactor can be created by periosteum, muscle, muscularis membrane, and fascia flap as well as biomaterials. Using in vivo bioreactor can effectively promote the establishment of a microcirculation in the tissue engineered bones, especially for large bone defects. However, main correlative researches, currently, are focused on animal experiments, more clinical trials will be carried out in the future. ConclusionWith the rapid development of related technologies of bone tissue engineering, the use of in vivo bioreactor will to a large extent solve the bottleneck limitations and has the potential values for clinical application.
To review the structure and function of the calcified cartilage zone and its role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Methods Recent l iterature about calcified zone was reviewed and analyzed in terms of architecture, composition, biomechanics, and biological function. Results Calcified zone has particular structure and material properties, and functions as a semi permeable membrane; chondrocytes in the calcified zone retain some characteristics of growth plate cells, which play a crucial role in cartilage function maintenance and pathogenesis of OA. Therefore, reconstructionof the calcified zone at osteochondral conjunction has become one of the hot research in the fields of interface tissue engineering. Conclusion It is necessary to pay more attention to calcified cartilage zone, which is important for both the treatment of OA and the preparation of tissue engineered osteochondral composite.
Objective To compare the molecular phenotype of human intervertebral disc cells and articular chondrocytes and to analyze whether hBMSCs can differentiate into both chondrocytes and nucleus pulposus cells after combined induction of TGF-β3 and BMP-7 in vitro. Methods The cells with the characteristics of hBMSCs were isolated from marrow aspirates of the volunteer donors’ il iac crest. Human bone marrow was removed and fractionated, and adherent cell cultures were establ ished. The 4th passage cells were then translated into an aggregate culture system in a serum-free medium. The pellet cultures of hBMSCs were divided into four groups: 10 ng/mL TGF-β3 group (group A), 200 ng/mL BMP-7 group (group B), combination group of TGF-β3 and BMP-7 (group C) and blank group as the control (group D). Histological observation, RT-PCR and RQ-PCR were appl ied to measure the expressions of collagen type I, II, X, aggrecan and SOX9 on the 4th and 21st day after cell induction, respectively. Results As was shown by histological observation, the induced cells expressed the feature of chondrocytes in morphology and ECM in groups A and C on the 21st day after the culture. And the collagen type II was positive after staining in groups A and C. The cell morphology of the induced cells in groups B and C had no obviouly changed. PCR detection showed that the expressions of SOX9, aggrecan, collagen type I, II in groups A and C at 21st day were more increased than those at 4th day (P lt; 0.05). The only expressions of collagen type I in groups B and D at 21st day were more increased than those at 4th day (P lt; 0.05). The expressions of collagen type X only was positive in group A. Conclusion Combination of TGF-β3 and BMP-7 can make the differentiated cells from hBMSCs much closer to intervertebral disc cells, so it perhaps could provide seed cells for intervertebral disc tissue engineering.
Objective To observe the histomorphology and the biocompatibil ity of acellular nerve prepared by different methods, to provide the experimental evidence for the selection of preparation of acellular nerve scaffold. Methods Forty-eight adult Sprague Dawley rats, male or female, weighing 180-220 g, were selected. The sciatic nerves were obtained from 30 rats and were divided into groups A, B, and C (each group had 20 nerves). The acellular sciatic nerves were prepared by the chemical methods of Dumont (group A), Sondell (group B), and Haase (group C). The effect to remove cells was estimated by the degree of decellularization, degree of demyel ination, and intergrity of nerve fiber tube. The histocompatibil ity was observed by subcutaneous implant test in another 18 rats. Three points were selected along both sides of centre l ine on the back of rats, and the points were randomly divided into groups A1, B1, and C1; the acellular nerve of groups A, B, and C were implanted in the corresponding groups A1, B1, and C1. At 1, 2, and 4 weeks after operation, the rats were sacrificed to perform the general observation and histological observation. Results The histomorphology: apart of cells and the dissolved scraps of axon could be seen in acellular never in the group A, and part of Schwann cell basilar membrane was broken. In group B, the cells in the acellular never were not removed completely, the Schwann cell basilar membrane formed bigger irregular hollows, part of the Schwann cell basilar membrane was broken obviously. But in the group C, the cells were completely removed, the Schwann cell basilar membrane remained intactly. Group C was better than group A and group B in the degree of decellularization, degree of demyel ination, integrity of nerve fiber tube and total score, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05). The subcutaneous implant test: there were neutrophils and lymphocytes around the acellular nerve in 3 groups at 1 week after implant. A few of lymphocytes were observed around the acellular nerve in 3 groups at 2 weeks after implant. The inflammation was less in groups A1, B1, and C1 at 4 weeks after implant, part of the cells grew into the acellular nerve and arranged along the Schwann cell basilar membrane. The reaction indexes of the inflammational cells in group A1 and group B1 were higher than that in group C1 at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after implant, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.01), but there was no significant difference between group A1 and group B1 (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion The acellular sciatic nerves prepared by Haase method has better acellular effect and the histocompatibil ity than those by the methods of Dumont and Sondell.
Objective To review the recent progress of the researches in the field of cartilage tissue engineering, and to discuss the challenges in construction of tissue engineered cartilage. Methods Literature related with cartilage tissue engineering was reviewed and analyzed. Results Some techniques have been appl ied in cl inical. As far as the seeding cells, induced pluripotent stem cells have attracted much more attention. Current strategies of scaffold designing are trying to imitate both component and structure of natural extracellular matrix. Cartilage regeneration through the autologous cell homing technique el iminate the transplantation of exotic cells and has become the hot topic. Conclusion Successful treatment of the damaged cartilage using tissue engineering method will depend on the advances of stem cell technology development, biomimetic scaffolds fabrication and proper appl ication of growth factors.