Basic fibroblast growth factor eluting microspheres enhance distraction enterogenesis.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if distraction enterogenesis using self-expanding polycaprolactone (PCL) springs is a potential therapy for short bowel syndrome. Sustained release basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) microspheres have been shown to induce angiogenesis and intestinal regeneration in tissue engineered scaffolds. We hypothesized that the provision of bFGF-loaded microspheres would increase angiogenesis and thereby enhance the process of enterogenesis.

A novel culture system for adult porcine intestinal crypts.

Porcine models are useful for investigating therapeutic approaches to short bowel syndrome and potentially to intestinal stem cell (ISC) transplantation. Whereas techniques for the culture and genetic manipulation of ISCs from mice and humans are well established, similar methods for porcine stem cells have not been reported. Jejunal crypts were isolated from murine, human, and juvenile and adult porcine small intestine, suspended in Matrigel, and co-cultured with syngeneic intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts (ISEMFs) or cultured without feeder cells in various culture media.