title: Pore size effect of collagen scaffolds on cartilage regeneration.
abstract: Scaffold pore size is an important factor affecting tissue regeneration efficiency. The effect of pore size on cartilage tissue regeneration was compared by using four types of collagen porous scaffolds with different pore sizes. The collagen porous scaffolds were prepared by using pre-prepared ice particulates that had diameters of 150-250, 250-355, 355-425 and 425-500μm. All the scaffolds had spherical large pores with good interconnectivity and high porosity that facilitated cell seeding and spatial cell distribution. Chondrocytes adhered to the walls of the spherical pores and showed a homogeneous distribution throughout the scaffolds. The in vivo implantation results indicated that the pore size did not exhibit any obvious effect on cell proliferation but exhibited different effects on cartilage regeneration. The collagen porous scaffolds prepared with ice particulates 150-250μm in size best promoted the expression and production of type II collagen and aggrecan, increasing the formation and the mechanical properties of the cartilage.
authors.affiliation: Tissue Regeneration Materials Unit, International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan; Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8571, Japan.
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Tissue Regeneration Materials Unit, International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan.
authors.forename: Hongxu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Tissue Regeneration Materials Unit, International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan.
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kawazoe
authors.affiliation: Tissue Regeneration Materials Unit, International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan; Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8571, Japan. Electronic address: Guoping.CHEN@nims.go.jp.
authors.forename: Guoping
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D053674:Aggrecans / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002417:Cattle; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D024043:Collagen Type II / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019245:Compressive Strength / Q000187:drug effects; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D007053:Ice; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D016062:Porosity; D012038:Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D034421:Sus scrofa; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D053674:Aggrecans; D024043:Collagen Type II; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D007053:Ice; D003094:Collagen; D004247:DNA
keywords: Cartilage regeneration; Collagen porous scaffold; Ice particulate; Pore size; Porogen