Fibrin gel as alternative scaffold for respiratory tissue engineering.
Fibrin gel has proven a valuable scaffold for tissue engineering. Complex geometries can be produced by injection molding; it offers effective cell seeding and can be produced autologous. In order to evaluate its suitability for respiratory tissue engineering, we examined proliferation, functionality, and differentiation of respiratory epithelial cells on fibrin gel in comparison to culture on collagen-coated, microporous membranes. Respiratory epithelial cells formed a confluent layer by day 4, and proliferation showed no significant difference with respect to surface. Measurement of the transepithelial electrical resistance reflected the development of a confluent epithelial cell layer and the subsequent initiation of adequate ion-transfer processes. Appearance of ciliae could be detected at similar time points, and ciliary beating could be observed for cells on both surfaces. Histology and immunohistochemistry of cells grown on fibrin gel revealed the onset of adequate differentiation. As no significant differences in respiratory epithelial cells' proliferation, function, and differentiation could be observed between cells grown on fibrin gel compared to cells on a collagen-coated, microporous surface, we concluded that fibrin gel might prove a suitable scaffold for respiratory tissue engineering and merits further investigation to overcome the limitations associated with scaffolds currently in use.
Department of Tissue Engineering & Textile Implants, Institute for Applied Medical Engineering, Helmholtz Institute of the RWTH University Hospital, Pauwelsstr. 20, Aachen, Germany.
Christian G
CG
Cornelissen
Maren
M
Dietrich
Stefan
S
Krüger
Jan
J
Spillner
Thomas
T
Schmitz-Rode
Stefan
S
Jockenhoevel
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D003094:Collagen; D017097:Electric Impedance; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive; D008422:Materials Testing; D012756:Sheep; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D014132:Trachea / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive; D003094:Collagen