Abstract
The objectives of this study were (1) to develop a three-dimensional chitosan scaffold in combination with transforming growth factor-betal (TGF-β1)-loaded chitosan microspheres and (2) to evaluate the effect of the TGF-β1 release on the chondrogenic potential of rabbit chondrocytes in the scaffolds. TGF-β1 was loaded into chitosan microspheres using an emulsion-crosslinking method, resulting in spherical shapes with a size ranging from 0.3 to 1.5 μm. Controlled release of TGF-β1, as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), was observed with chitosan microspheres over 7 days. Chitosan solutions (2% and 3%) were fabricated into two types of scaffolds with different pore morphologies and mechanical properties using a freeze-drying technique, with the result that scaffold with higher concentrations showed smaller pores and lower porosity, leading to a much stronger scaffold. The TGF-β1 microspheres were incorporated into the scaffolds at a concentration of 10 ng TGF-β1/scaffold and then chondrocytes seeded into each scaffold and incubated in vitro for 2 weeks. The 2% chitosan scaffolds showed higher cell attachment levels than the 3% chitosan scaffolds (P < 0.01), regardless of the TGF-β1 microspheres. Both the proliferation rate and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) production were significantly higher for scaffolds incorporating TGF-β1 microspheres than for the control scaffolds without microspheres 10 days after incubation. Extracellular matrix staining by Safranin O and immunohistochemistry for type II collagen both significantly increased in scaffolds containing TGF-β1 microspheres. These results suggest that the TGF-β1 microsphere incorporated in scaffolds have the potential to enhance cartilage formation.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 829-839 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Artificial Organs |
Volume | 28 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2004 Sept |
Keywords
- Cartilage
- Chitosan
- Chondrocyte
- Controlled release
- Growth factor
- Microsphere
- Scaffold
- Tissue engineering
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Bioengineering
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
- Biomaterials
- Biomedical Engineering