Proliferation of rat mesenchymal stem cells in collagen sponges reinforced with poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers by stirring culture method.

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of medium stirring conditions on the proliferation of rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in collagen sponges reinforced by the incorporation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers. A collagen solution with PET fibers homogeneously dispersed was freeze-dried, followed by dehydrothermal cross-linking to obtain a collagen sponge incorporating PET fibers. MSC were proliferated in the sponge by a stirring culture method.

Long-term observation of auto-cell transplantation in non-human primate reveals safety and efficiency of bone marrow stromal cell-derived Schwann cells in peripheral nerve regeneration.

Based on their differentiation ability, bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) are a good source for cell therapy. Using a cynomolgus monkey peripheral nervous system injury model, we examined the safety and efficacy of Schwann cells induced from MSCs as a source for auto-cell transplantation therapy in nerve injury. Serial treatment of monkey MSCs with reducing agents and cytokines induced their differentiation into cells with Schwann cell properties at a very high ratio.

Regeneration of anterior cruciate ligament by biodegradable scaffold combined with local controlled release of basic fibroblast growth factor and collagen wrapping.

The objective of this study was to increase the therapeutic efficacy of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery using an artificial ligament material developed through a combination of tissue engineering technologies. A poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) scaffold of plain-woven braid was incorporated with a gelatin hydrogel for controlled release of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and wrapped with a collagen membrane to allow space for ligament regeneration. For the ACL reconstruction surgery, the PLLA braid scaffold combined with the gelatin hydrogel incorporating bFGF and the collagen wrapping was applied to a tunnel prepared in the femur and tibia of rabbits.

Proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, and distribution of rat bone marrow stromal cells in nonwoven fabrics by different culture methods.

The proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, and distribution patterns of stromal cells from rat bone marrow were investigated in a three-dimensional nonwoven fabric of polyethylene terephthalate fiber by the static, agitated, and stirred culture methods; stirring speeds were 10, 50, and 100 rpm in the stirred culture method. The culture method affected the time profile of proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of cells or their distribution in the fabric. The extent of cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation became higher in order of the stirred at 100 rpm = the stirred at 50 rpm > the stirred at 10 rpm > the agitated > the static methods.

Cell attachment to PET films coated with a thermo-sensitive block co-polymer with different chemical composition.

This objective of this study is to characterize the surface of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films coated with the thermo-sensitive di-block co-polymers of 2-ethoxyethyl vinyl ether and 2-phenoxyethyl vinyl ether segments (EOVE-b-PhOVE) with a high polydispersity and evaluate the behavior of cell attachment on them at different temperatures. The EOVE segment possessed a low critical solution temperature at 20 degrees C while the hydrophobic PhOVE segment functioned as the site to allow the co-polymer to adsorb onto the PET films. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and contact angle measurements revealed that the PET film was coated with the EOVE-b-PhOVE co-polymers.

Enhanced proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rat mesenchymal stem cells in collagen sponge reinforced with different poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers.

The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of collagen sponges mechanically reinforced by the incorporation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers in stem cell culture. A collagen solution with homogeneously dispersed PET fibers was freeze-dried, followed by dehydrothermal cross-linking to obtain the collagen sponge incorporating PET fibers. By scanning electron microscopy observation, the collagen sponges exhibited isotropic and interconnected pore structures with an average size of 200 microm, irrespective of PET fiber incorporation.

Proliferation and differentiation of rat bone marrow stromal cells on poly(glycolic acid)-collagen sponge.

We studied the effects of dexamethasone (Dex) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on proliferation and differentiation of rat bone marrow stromal cells (RBMSCs), using three scaffolds: collagen sponge, poly(glycolic acid) (PGA)-collagen sponge, and PGA-collagen (UV) sponge. RBMSCs were seeded into the sponges, and cultured in primary medium, primary medium with Dex, and primary medium with bFGF and Dex. Three weeks after cultivation, we examined alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and cell number in the sponges, and also performed macroscopic, light microscopic, and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observations.

Preparation of hybrid scaffold from fibrin and biodegradable polymer fiber.

A biodegradable hybrid scaffold was prepared from fibrin and poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) fiber. Mixed fibrinogen and thrombin solution homogeneously dispersed in the presence of various amounts (0, 1.5, 3.