Influence of self-designed three-dimensional woven scaffolds on in vitro growth of Schwann cells and its in vivo degradation / 第二军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective: To prepare a self-designed three-dimensional woven scaffold using poly lactide-co-glycolide acid (PLGA), and to observe the influence of the prepared scaffold on the growth of Schwann cells in vitro and its in vivo degradation. Methods: The 3D scaffolds were prepared by means of melt spinning, extension, weaving, and other procedures. The alignment of micro-tubules was observed under the scanning electronic microscope (SEM). The size of the micropores was also measured. Primary cultured Schwann cells were seeded on the 3D scaffolds, and the growth, adherence, proliferation, and apoptosis of Schwann cells were observed under inverted phase contrast microscopy and SEM; the results were compared between Schwann cells cultured in collagen sponge and culture dish. The scaffold carrying Schwann cells was implanted into the paraspinal muscle in rats, and H-E staining was used to observe the in vivo degradation and the inflammation responses. Results: The external diameters of the scaffold and micro-tubules were 3 mm and 100 μm, respectively, and the micro-tubules were arranged in an even and parallel manner. The adherence rates and proliferation rates of Schwann cells were similar between scaffold group and collagen sponge group, but both groups were significantly lower than the culture dish group (P<0.05). The 3D scaffold degraded completely within 12 weeks, with no visible inflammatory cells around. Conclusion: The self-designed 3D scaffold has no harmful effect on the growth of Schwann cells, and it can degrade in vivo, showing a satisfactory biocompatibility.