title: Cell survival and proliferation after encapsulation in a chemically modified Pluronic(R) F127 hydrogel.
abstract: Pluronic® F127 is a biocompatible, injectable, and thermoresponsive polymer with promising biomedical applications. In this study, a chemically modified form, i.e., Pluronic ALA-L with tailored degradation rate, was tested as an encapsulation vehicle for osteoblastic cells. UV cross-linking of the modified polymer results in a stable hydrogel with a slower degradation rate. Toxicological screening showed no adverse effects of the modified Pluronic ALA-L on the cell viability. Moreover, high viability of embedded cells in the cross-linked Pluronic ALA-L was observed with life/death fluorescent staining during a 7-day-culture period. Cells were also cultured on macroporous, cross-linked gelatin microbeads, called CultiSpher-S® carriers, and encapsulated into the modified cross-linked hydrogel. Also, in this situation, good cell proliferation and migration could be observed in vitro. Preliminary in vivo tests have shown the formation of new bone starting from the injected pre-loaded CultiSpher-S® carriers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Evi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lippens
authors.forename: Ives
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Swennen
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gironès
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Declercq
authors.forename: Geert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vertenten
authors.forename: Lieven
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vlaminck
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gasthuys
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schacht
authors.forename: Ria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cornelissen
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D018914:Cells, Immobilized / Q000166:cytology; D006041:Goats; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D010012:Osteogenesis; D020442:Poloxamer / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020442:Poloxamer; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate