Gelatin-based microcarriers as embryonic stem cell delivery system in bone tissue engineering: an in-vitro study.
Mouse embryonic stem cells were cultured on commercially available biodegradable macroporous microcarriers. A culture period of 1-2 weeks was needed to colonize the microcarriers. Embryonic stem cells retained their pluripotency for up to 14 days when cultured in medium supplemented with leukemia inhibitory factor. Replacing this medium by differentiation medium for 2 weeks initiated osteogenic differentiation. Encapsulation of the cell-loaded microcarriers in photopolymerizable polymers (methacrylate-endcapped poly-D,L-lactide-co-caprolactone), triacetin/hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) as solvent and with/without gelatin as porogen, resulted in a homogeneous distribution of the microcarriers in the polymer. As observed by transmission electron microscopy, viability of the cells was optimal when gelatin was omitted and when using triacetin instead of HEMA.
Tielens
S
S
Department of Anatomy, Embryology, Histology, and Medical Physics, Ghent University, L. Pasteurlaan 2, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Declercq
H
H
Gorski
T
T
Lippens
E
E
Schacht
E
E
Cornelissen
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry*; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000378:metabolism; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D014215:Triacetin / Q000737:chemistry
D008689:Methacrylates; D011091:Polyesters; C505727:poly(epsilon-caprolactone-co-lactide); D015675:Osteocalcin; C005044:hydroxyethyl methacrylate; D005780:Gelatin; D014215:Triacetin