Tannic acid cross-linked collagen scaffolds and their anti-cancer potential in a tissue engineered breast implant.
Tannic acid (TA) is a hydrolysable plant tannin, and it has been determined that TA functions as a collagen cross-linking agent through hydrogen-bonding mechanisms and hydrophobic effects. Since TA may have anti-tumor properties, it may be a viable cross-linking agent for collagen-based  breast tissue scaffolds. The goal of this work was to determine if TA cross-linked scaffolds induce apoptotic processes in MCF-7 cancer cells, with minimal toxic effect on healthy D1 mesenchymal stem-like stromal cells. Cross-linked collagen scaffolds that were uniform, easily reproduced,  easily characterized, and readily used in cell culture were manufactured. Thermal denaturation temperatures of the cross-linked scaffolds (68°C) were shown to be significantly higher when compared to those of uncross-linked scaffolds (55°C). Scanning electron microscopy images demonstrated  the replacement of irregular collagen fibers with sheet-like structures upon cross-linking. The cross-linking solution concentration of TA that appears to be best for inducing apoptotic processes in MCF-7 cells, while minimizing toxic effect on D1 cells, is 1 mg/ml. At this concentration,  the MCF-7 cell metabolic activity did not change over a 72-h period (i.e., proliferation was limited) while there was an increase in metabolic activity of D1 cells over the 72-h period. TA did appear to inhibit the production of lipid by D1 cells cultured in an adipogenic cocktail; in the  future, the rate and duration of inhibition could be tailored to allow gradual bulking of the implant. The results suggest that the level of TA cross-linking can be modulated to provide optimal use in a tissue engineering composite.
Department of Bioengineering, Institute for Biological Interfaces of Engineering, Clemson University, 401 Rhodes Engineering Research Center, Clemson, SC 29634, USA.
Cheryl A P
CA
Cass
Karen J L
KJ
Burg
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D018427:Breast Implants; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry; D011489:Protein Denaturation; D013499:Surface Properties; D013634:Tannins / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001391:Azo Compounds; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011137:Polystyrenes; D013634:Tannins; D014280:Triglycerides; D003094:Collagen; C011049:oil red O