Interconnected macroporous poly(ethylene glycol) cryogels as a cell scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Macroporous networks of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with interconnected pores can be created by cryogelation techniques. In this study, we describe the potential application of such PEG cryogels as scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering. Three-dimensional macroporous cryogels were evaluated for chondrocyte growth and production of cartilage-specific extracellular matrix (ECM). Seeded primary bovine chondrocytes showed homogeneous distribution throughout the cryogels. DNA content suggests continuous cell proliferation over 4 weeks of in vitro culture. Analysis of the composition of cell-secreted ECM showed a culture-time-dependent increase in the amount of glycosaminoglycan and collagen. The production of ECM by chondrocytes was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy analysis. Further histological and immunohistological analysis of the cell-laden scaffold confirmed the presence of accumulated cartilage-specific ECM within the scaffold. The interconnected macroporous network promoted diffusion of cell-secreted matrix within the cryogels. Our results indicated that interconnected macroporous PEG cryogels successfully supported attachment, viability, proliferation, and biosynthetic activity of seeded chondrocytes.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Hwang, Y; Sangaj, N; Varghese, S
Published Date
- October 2010
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 16 / 10
Start / End Page
- 3033 - 3041
PubMed ID
- 20486791
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1937-335X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1089/ten.TEA.2010.0045
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States