The effect of PEGT/PBT scaffold architecture on the composition of tissue engineered cartilage.
A highly interconnecting and accessible pore network has been suggested as one of a number of prerequisites in the design of scaffolds for tissue engineering. In the present study, two processing techniques, compression-molding/particulate-leaching (CM), and 3D fiber deposition (3DF), were used to develop porous scaffolds from biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol)-terephthalate/poly(butylene terephthalate) (PEGT/PBT) co-polymers with varying pore architectures. Three-dimensional micro-computed tomography (microCT) was used to characterize scaffold architectures and scaffolds were seeded with articular chondrocytes to evaluate tissue formation. Scaffold porosity ranged between 75% and 80%. Average pore size of tortuous CM scaffolds (182 microm) was lower than those of organized 3DF scaffolds (525 microm). The weight ratio of glycosaminoglycans (GAG)/DNA, as a measure of cartilage-like tissue formation, did not change after 14 days of culture whereas, following subcutaneous implantation, GAG/DNA increased significantly and was significantly higher in 3DF constructs than in CM constructs, whilst collagen type II was present within both constructs. In conclusion, 3DF PEGT/PBT scaffolds create an environment in vivo that enhances cartilaginous matrix deposition and hold particular promise for treatment of articular cartilage defects.
Malda
J
J
IsoTis S.A., Bilthoven, The Netherlands. jos@malda.nl
Woodfield
T B F
TB
van der Vloodt
F
F
Wilson
C
C
Martens
D E
DE
Tramper
J
J
van Blitterswijk
C A
CA
Riesle
J
J
D000818:Animals; D021522:Bioartificial Organs; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development*; D002417:Cattle; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D019245:Compressive Strength; D004548:Elasticity; D008422:Materials Testing; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D011859:Radiography; D013499:Surface Properties; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; C493255:PEGT-PBT copolymer; D011091:Polyesters; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols