Chondrogenesis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells in highly porous alginate-foams supplemented with chondroitin sulfate.
To overcome the limited intrinsic cartilage repair, autologous chondrocyte or bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cell (BM-MSC) was implanted into cartilage defects. For this purpose suitable biocompatible scaffolds are needed to provide cell retention, chondrogenesis and initial mechanical stability. The present study should indicate whether a recently developed highly porous alginate (Alg) foam scaffold supplemented with chondroitin sulfate (CS) allows the attachment, survival and chondrogenesis of BM-MSCs and articular chondrocytes. The foams were prepared using a freeze-drying method; some of them were supplemented with CS and subsequently characterized for porosity, biodegradation and mechanical profile. BM-MSCs were cultured for 1-2 weeks on the scaffold either under chondrogenic or maintenance conditions. Cell vitality assays, histology, glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) assay, and type II and I collagen immunolabelings were performed to monitor cell growth and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis in the scaffolds. Scaffolds had a high porosity ~93-95% with a mean pore sizes of 237±48 μm (Alg) and 197±61 μm (Alg/CS). Incorporation of CS increased mechanical strength of the foams providing gradually CS release over 7 days. Most of the cells survived in the scaffolds. BM-MSCs and articular chondrocytes formed rounded clusters within the scaffold pores. The BM-MSCs, irrespective of whether cultured under non/chondrogenic conditions and chondrocytes produced an ECM containing sGAGs, and types II and I collagen. Total collagen and sGAG contents were higher in differentiated BM-MSC cultures supplemented with CS than in CS-free foams after 14 days. The cell cluster formation induced by the scaffolds might stimulate chondrogenesis via initial intense cell-cell contacts.
Department of Orthopaedic, Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin-Berlin Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
Zhao
Z
Huang
Institute of Biomaterials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany.
Patcharakamon
P
Nooeaid
Department of Orthopaedic, Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin-Berlin Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
Benjamin
B
Kohl
Institute of Polymer Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany.
Judith A
JA
Roether
Institute of Polymer Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany.
Dirk W
DW
Schubert
Department of Orthopaedic, Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin-Berlin Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
Carola
C
Meier
Institute of Biomaterials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany.
Aldo R
AR
Boccaccini
Department of Orthopaedic, Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin-Berlin Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
Owen
O
Godkin
Department of Orthopaedic, Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin-Berlin Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
Wolfgang
W
Ertel
Department of Orthopaedic, Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin-Berlin Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
Stephan
S
Arens
Department of Orthopaedic, Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin-Berlin Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany; Institute of Anatomy, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany. Electronic address: gundula.schulze@pmu.ac.at.
Gundula
G
Schulze-Tanzil
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000464:Alginates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology; D020219:Chondrogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D024043:Collagen Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D016062:Porosity; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry
D000464:Alginates; D024042:Collagen Type I; D024043:Collagen Type II; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D004247:DNA
Alginate-foam scaffolds; Chondrocytes; Chondrogenesis; Chondroitin sulfate; Mesenchymal stromal cells