Comparison of polyester scaffolds for bioengineered intestinal mucosa.
BACKGROUND
Biodegradable polyester scaffolds have proven useful for growing neointestinal tissue equivalents both in vitro and in vivo. These scaffolds allow cells to attach and grow in a 3-dimensional space while nutrient flow is maintained throughout the matrix. The purpose of this study was to evaluate different biopolymer constructs and to determine mucosal engraftment rates and mucosal morphology.


OBJECTIVE
We hypothesized that different biopolymer constructs may vary in their ability to provide a good scaffolding onto which intestinal stem cell organoids may be engrafted.


METHODS
Eight different microporous biodegradable polymer tubes composed of polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactic acid, or a combination of both, using different fabrication techniques were seeded with intestinal stem cell clusters obtained from neonatal rats. Three different seeded polymer constructs were subsequently placed into the omentum of syngeneic adult recipient rats (n = 8). Neointestinal grafts were harvested 4 weeks after implantation. Polymers were microscopically evaluated for the presence of mucosal growth, morphology, scar formation and residual polymer.


RESULTS
Mucosal engraftment was observed in 7 out of 8 of the polymer constructs. A maximal surface area engraftment of 36% (range 5-36%) was seen on nonwoven, randomly entangled, small fiber PGA mesh coated with aerosolized 5% poly-L-lactic acid. Villous and crypt development, morphology and created surface area were best on PGA nonwoven mesh constructs treated with poly-L-lactic acid. Electrospun microfiber PGA had poor overall engraftment with little or no crypt or villous formation.


CONCLUSIONS
Intestinal organoids can be engrafted onto biodegradable polyester scaffoldings with restitution of an intestinal mucosal layer. Variability in polymer composition, processing techniques and material properties (fiber size, luminal dimensions and pore size) affect engraftment success. Future material refinements should lead to improvements in the development of a tissue-engineered intestine.
Chen
David C
DC
Department of Surgery, VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif 90024, USA.
Avansino
Jeffrey R
JR
Agopian
Vatche G
VG
Hoagland
Vicki D
VD
Woolman
Jacob D
JD
Pan
Sheng
S
Ratner
Buddy D
BD
Stelzner
Matthias
M
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D011091:Polyesters; D011098:Polyglactin 910; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D014185:Transplantation, Isogeneic
D011091:Polyesters; D011098:Polyglactin 910