title: Incorporation of polymer microspheres within fibrin scaffolds for the controlled delivery of FGF-1.
abstract: The purpose of this work was to examine the feasibility of a hybrid scaffold in which fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1)-encapsulated microspheres are embedded within a fibrin gel. Such a tissue-engineered scaffold could be incorporated into surgical procedures to promote healing while simultaneously delivering therapeutic agents that promote angiogenesis. Fibrin has been extensively studied as an adhesive in plastic and reconstructive surgery and the enhancement of wound healing with embedded growth factors is desirable. We report the release of a fluorescently-labeled model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA-FITC), from poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres embedded in the fibrin scaffold. The protein release was found to be significantly delayed as compared to microspheres alone during the initial 24 h of release. Additionally, FGF-1 was examined for efficient incorporation into these scaffolds as a potential mitogen for fibroblasts. The optimal concentration of FGF-1 in the media that enhanced NIH-3T3 fibroblast proliferation over 48 h was determined to be 0.1 microg/ml. The release of FGF-1 from microspheres embedded in fibrin gels was compared to FGF-1-encapsulated microspheres alone. The release of FGF-1 from the microsphere/scaffolds was delayed as compared to the release of FGF-1 from microspheres alone. This novel hybrid fibrin/microsphere scaffold is a feasible delivery system for growth factors.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Departments of Surgery and Bioengineering, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
authors.forename: Sara M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Royce
authors.forename: Morad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Askari
authors.forename: Kacey G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Marra
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D004337:Drug Carriers; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005337:Fibrin / Q000737:chemistry*; D016220:Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008863:Microspheres; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004337:Drug Carriers; D011108:Polymers; D016220:Fibroblast Growth Factor 1; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D005337:Fibrin