Morphological and growth responses of vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells cultured on immobilized heparin and dextran sulfate surfaces.

Heparin has shown promise as a component of various biomaterial formulations, but its variable properties and inhibitory effects on some cell types have raised interest in use of dextran sulfate as an alternative. In this study, we characterized the interactions of vascular smooth muscle (SMC) and endothelial cells (EC) with heparin and dextran sulfate immobilized onto chitosan-based films. Films were modified by blending chitosan with type I collagen and covalently attaching heparin or dextran sulfate at various levels.

The effects of 3D bioactive glass scaffolds and BMP-2 on bone formation in rat femoral critical size defects and adjacent bones.

Reconstruction of critical size defects in the load-bearing area has long been a challenge in orthopaedics. In the past, we have demonstrated the feasibility of using a biodegradable load-sharing scaffold fabricated from poly(propylene fumarate)/tricalcium phosphate (PPF/TCP) loaded with bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) to successfully induce healing in those defects. However, there is limited osteoconduction observed with the PPF/TCP scaffold itself.