Cytocompatibility of a novel, longitudinally microstructured collagen scaffold intended for nerve tissue repair.
Traumatic injury to the nervous system induces functional deficits as a result of axonal destruction and the formation of scar tissue, cystic cavitation, and physical gaps. Bioengineering bridging materials should ideally act as cell carriers for the implantation of axon growth-promoting glia, as well as supporting integration with host cell types. Here, we describe the cytocompatibility of a novel, micro-structured porcine collagen scaffold containing densely packed and highly orientated channels that, in three-dimensional (3D) tissue culture, supports attachment, proliferation, aligned process extension, and directed migration by populations of glial cells (olfactory nerve ensheathing cells and astrocytes) and orientated axonal growth by neurons (differentiated human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line). The seeded glia required several weeks to penetrate deeply into the highly porous scaffold, where they adopted an orientated morphology similar to that displayed in simple 2D cultures. The direct interaction between SH-SY5Y-derived nerve fibers and the collagen scaffold also resulted in highly orientated axonal growth. It is likely that biocompatible scaffolds that are capable of promoting glial cell attachment, migration, and highly orientated process outgrowth will be important for future repair strategies for traumatically injured nervous tissues.
Möllers
Sven
S
Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
Heschel
Ingo
I
Damink
Leon H H Olde
LH
Schügner
Frank
F
Deumens
Ronald
R
Müller
Barbara
B
Bozkurt
Ahmet
A
Nava
Jose Gerardo
JG
Noth
Johannes
J
Brook
Gary A
GA
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000494:pharmacology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007211:Indoles; D008422:Materials Testing; D009417:Nerve Tissue / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D013242:Sterilization; D034421:Sus scrofa; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D007211:Indoles; C007293:DAPI; D003094:Collagen; D009195:Peroxidase