Effect of chitosan scaffold microstructure on mesenchymal stem cell chondrogenesis.
Although numerous biomaterials have been investigated as scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering, the effect of their microstructure on final construct characteristics remains unclear. The biocompatibility of chitosan and its similarity with glycosaminoglycans make it attractive as a scaffold for cartilage engineering. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of chitosan scaffold structure on mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and chondrogenesis. Chitosan fibrous scaffolds and chitosan sponges were seeded with mesenchymal stem cells in a chondrogenic medium. Constructs were analyzed 72 h after seeding via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), weight measurements and DNA quantification. Constructs were cultured for 10 or 21 days prior to confocal microscopy, SEM, histology, quantitative analysis (weight, DNA and glycosaminoglycan (GAG)), and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Mesenchymal stem cells maintained a viability above 90% on all chitosan scaffolds. The cell numbers in the constructs were similar at 72 h, 10 days and 21 days. However, matrix production was improved in chitosan fibrous constructs based on the GAG quantification and collagen II mRNA expression. Chondrogenesis on chitosan scaffolds is superior on microfibers compared to macroporous sponges.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61802, USA. Ragetly2@illinois.edu
Guillaume R
GR
Ragetly
Dominique J
DJ
Griffon
Hae-Beom
HB
Lee
L Page
LP
Fredericks
Wanda
W
Gordon-Evans
Yong Sik
YS
Chung
D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020219:Chondrogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water
D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014867:Water; D004247:DNA; D048271:Chitosan