Tendon-inspired fibers from liquid crystalline collagen as the pre-oriented bioink.

Nature provides rich bionic resources for the construction of advanced materials with excellent mechanical properties. In this work, inspired by animal tendons, a bionic collagen fiber was developed using collagen liquid crystals as the pre-oriented bioink. The texture of liquid crystalline collagen observed from polarized optical microscopy (POM) showed the specific molecular pre-orientation. Meanwhile, the collagen spinning liquids exhibited a minimal rise in viscosity upon increasing concentration from 60 to 120 mg/mL, indicating the feasible processability. The collagen fiber, which was prepared via wet spinning without being denatured, exhibited the favorable orientation of fibrils along its axis as observed with FESEM and AFM. Thanks to the synergistic effects between pre-orientation and shearing orientation, the maximum tensile strength and Young's modulus of collagen fibers reached 9.98 cN/tex (219.29 ± 22.92 MPa) and 43.95 ± 1.11 cN/tex (966.20 ± 24.30 MPa), respectively, which were also analogous to those of tendon. In addition, the collagen fiber possessed a desirable wet strength. Benefiting from the natural tissue affinity of collagen, the as-prepared bionic collagen fiber possessed excellent wound suture performance and biodegradability in vivo, which offers a new perspective for the potential of widespread applications of collagen fibers in biomedical fields.

From Food Waste to Innovative Biomaterial: Sea Urchin-Derived Collagen for Applications in Skin Regenerative Medicine.

Collagen-based skin-like scaffolds (CBSS) are promising alternatives to skin grafts to repair wounds and injuries. In this work, we propose that the common marine invertebrate sea urchin represents a promising and eco-friendly source of native collagen to develop innovative CBSS for skin injury treatment. Sea urchin food waste after gonad removal was here used to extract fibrillar glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-rich collagen to produce bilayer (2D + 3D) CBSS. Microstructure, mechanical stability, permeability to water and proteins, ability to exclude bacteria and act as scaffolding for fibroblasts were evaluated. Our data show that the thin and dense 2D collagen membrane strongly reduces water evaporation (less than 5% of water passes through the membrane after 7 days) and protein diffusion (less than 2% of BSA passes after 7 days), and acts as a barrier against bacterial infiltration (more than 99% of the different tested bacterial species is retained by the 2D collagen membrane up to 48 h), thus functionally mimicking the epidermal layer. The thick sponge-like 3D collagen scaffold, structurally and functionally resembling the dermal layer, is mechanically stable in wet conditions, biocompatible in vitro (seeded fibroblasts are viable and proliferate), and efficiently acts as a scaffold for fibroblast infiltration. Thus, thanks to their chemical and biological properties, CBSS derived from sea urchins might represent a promising, eco-friendly, and economically sustainable biomaterial for tissue regenerative medicine.

Chitosan-glucan complex hollow fibers reinforced collagen wound dressing embedded with aloe vera. II. Multifunctional properties to promote cutaneous wound healing.

This study presents an innovative multifunctional system in fabricating new functional wound dressing (FWD) products that could be used for skin regeneration, especially in cases of infected chronic wounds and ulcers. The innovation is based on the extraction, characterization, and application of collagen (CO)/chitosan-glucan complex hollow fibers (CSGC)/aloe vera (AV) as a novel FWS. For the first time, specific hollow fibers were extracted with controlled inner (500-900 nm)/outer (2-3 µm) diameters from mycelium of Schizophyllum commune. Further on, research and evaluation of morphology, hydrolytic stability, and swelling characteristics of CO/CSGC@AV were carried out. The obtained FWS showed high hydrolytic stability with enhanced swelling characteristics compared to native collagen. The hemostatic effect of FWS increased significantly in the presence of CSGC, compared to native CO and displayed excellent biocompatibility which was tested by using normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF). The FWS showed high antibacterial activity against different types of bacteria (positive/negative grams). From in vivo measurements, the novel FWS increased the percentage of wound closure after one week of treatment. All these results imply that the new CO/CSGC@AV-FWD has the potential for clinical skin regeneration and applying for controlled drug release.

Biomimetic fabrication of mineralized composite films of nanosilver loaded native fibrillar collagen and chitosan.

Silver nanoparticles loaded fibrillar collagen-chitosan matrix (CC) was prepared by biomimetic approach by blending silver nanoparticles (tAgNPs), collagen fibril and chitosan hydrogel followed by cross-linking and biomineralization. Electron micrograph showed that the surface of the composites exhibited native fibrillar morphology of collagen and their cross-section revealed layer-like arrangement of native fibrillar collagen. The mineralized composites exhibited surface mineralization of calcium phosphates incorporated with magnesium. FT-IR ATR analysis revealed the uniform blending of collagen and chitosan without any chemical interaction between them. XRD analysis showed incorporation of silver nanoparticles and lamellar structure of collagen and chitosan. The mechanical property of the dry composite film showed increase in tensile strength with the addition of chitosan and raised to 4.6 fold in M-CC4 composite. The incorporation of chitosan in M-CC3 led to 2.2 fold increase in mineralization as confirmed by the TGA analysis. Contact angle analysis revealed the hydrophilic nature of the composite. Hemolysis analysis of the composites verified the hemocompatible nature of composites with hemolysis < 5%. MTT assay for the composites was carried by seeding MG-63 cells and indicated cell viability > 80%. Antibacterial activity analysis showed the percent growth inhibition of about 27% and 37% for S. aureus and E. coli respectively. The prepared composite would possess silver nanoparticles loaded collagen fibril in the native state and the formed biomineral will be similar to the bone mineral. Hence the fabricated composite -could be used as a biomaterial for bone tissue engineering applications.

Biomimetic intrafibrillar mineralized collagen promotes bone regeneration via activation of the Wnt signaling pathway.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of biomimetic intrafibrillar mineralized collagen (IMC) bone scaffold materials on bone regeneration and the underlying biological mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A critical-sized bone defect in the rat femur was created; then IMC, extrafibrillar mineralized collagen, and nano-hydroxyapatite bone scaffold materials were grafted into the defect. Ten weeks after implantation, micro-computed tomography and histology were applied to evaluate the bone regeneration. Furthermore, microarray technology was applied for transcriptional profile analysis at two postoperative time points (7 and 14 days). Subsequently, the critical genes involved in bone regeneration identified by transcriptional analysis were verified both in vivo through immunohistochemical analysis and in vitro by quantitative real-time transcription polymerase chain reaction evaluation. RESULTS: Significantly increased new bone formation was found in the IMC group based on micro-computed tomography and histological evaluation (P<0.05). Transcriptional analysis revealed that the early process of IMC-guided bone regeneration involves the overexpression of genes mainly associated with inflammation, immune response, skeletal development, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and the Wnt signaling pathway. The roles of the Wnt signaling pathway-related factors Wnt5a, ß-catenin, and Axin2 were further confirmed both in vivo and in vitro. CONCLUSION: The IMC bone scaffold materials significantly enhanced bone regeneration via activation of the Wnt signaling pathway.

Intrafibrillar silicified collagen scaffold promotes in-situ bone regeneration by activating the monocyte p38 signaling pathway.

Intrafibrillar silicified collagen scaffold (SCS) is a promising biomaterial for bone regeneration because it promotes cell homing and angiogenesis in bone defects via monocyte modulation. In the present study, a rat femoral defect model was used to examine the contribution of monocyte signaling pathways to SCS modulation. Activation of the monocyte p38 signaling pathway by SCS resulted in monocyte differentiation into TRAP-positive mononuclear cells. These cells demonstrated increased secretion of SDF-1α, VEGFa and PDGF-BB, which, in turn, promoted homing of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), as well as local vascularization. Monocyte differentiation and secretion were blocked after inhibition of the p38 pathway, which resulted in reduction in cell homing and angiogenesis. Taken together, these novel findings indicate that the p38 signaling pathway is crucial in SCS-modulated monocyte differentiation and secretion, which has a direct impact on SCS-induced bone regeneration. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Intrafibrillar silicified collagen scaffold (SCS) is a promising biomaterial for bone regeneration. The present work demonstrates that SCS possesses favorable bone regeneration potential in a rat femoral defect model. The degrading scaffold modulates monocyte differentiation and release of certain cytokines to recruit MSCs and EPCs, as well as enhances local vascularization by activating the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. These findings indicate that SCS contributes to bone defect regeneration by stimulating host cell homing and promoting local angiogenesis and osteogenesis without the need for loading cytokines or xenogenous stem cells.

Alignment of collagen fiber in knitted silk scaffold for functional massive rotator cuff repair.

Rotator cuff tear is one of the most common types of shoulder injuries, often resulting in pain and physical debilitation. Allogeneic tendon-derived decellularized matrices do not have appropriate pore size and porosity to facilitate cell infiltration, while commercially-available synthetic scaffolds are often inadequate at inducing tenogenic differentiation. The aim of this study is to develop an advanced 3D aligned collagen/silk scaffold (ACS) and investigate its efficacy in a rabbit massive rotator cuff tear model. ACS has similar 3D alignment of collagen fibers as natural tendon with superior mechanical characteristics. Based on ectopic transplantation studies, the optimal collagen concentration (10mg/ml), pore diameter (108.43±7.25µm) and porosity (97.94±0.08%) required for sustaining a stable macro-structure conducive for cellular infiltration was determined. Within in vitro culture, tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs) displayed spindle-shaped morphology, and were well-aligned on ACS as early as 24h. TSPCs formed intercellular contacts and deposited extracellular matrix after 7days. With the in vivo rotator cuff repair model, the regenerative tendon of the ACS group displayed more conspicuous native microstructures with larger diameter collagen fibrils (48.72±3.75 vs. 44.26±5.03nm) that had better alignment and mechanical properties (139.85±49.36vs. 99.09±33.98N) at 12weeks post-implantation. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate the positive efficacy of the macroporous 3D aligned scaffold in facilitating rotator cuff tendon regeneration, and its practical applications for rotator cuff tendon tissue engineering. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Massive rotator cuff tear is one of the most common shoulder injuries, and poses a formidable clinical challenge to the orthopedic surgeon. Tissue engineering of tendon can potentially overcome the problem. However, more efficacious scaffolds with good biocompatibility, appropriate pore size, favorable inductivity and sufficient mechanical strength for repairing massive rotator cuff tendon injuries need to be developed. In this study, we developed a novel macroporous 3D aligned collagen/silk scaffold, and demonstrated that this novel scaffold enhanced the efficacy of rotator cuff tendon regeneration by inducing aligned supracellular structures similar to natural tendon, which in turn enhanced cellular infiltration and tenogenic differentiation of stem/progenitor cells from both the tendon itself and surrounding tissues. Hence, it can potentially be a clinically useful application for tendon tissue engineering.

Development of human corneal epithelium on organized fibrillated transparent collagen matrices synthesized at high concentration.

Several diseases can lead to opacification of cornea requiring transplantation of donor tissue to restore vision. In this context, transparent collagen I fibrillated matrices have been synthesized at 15, 30, 60 and 90 mg/mL. The matrices were evaluated for fibril organizations, transparency, mechanical properties and ability to support corneal epithelial cell culture. The best results were obtained with 90 mg/mL scaffolds. At this concentration, the fibril organization presented some similarities to that found in corneal stroma. Matrices had a mean Young's modulus of 570 kPa and acellular scaffolds had a transparency of 87% in the 380-780 nm wavelength range. Human corneal epithelial cells successfully colonized the surface of the scaffolds and generated an epithelium with characteristics of corneal epithelial cells (i.e. expression of cytokeratin 3 and presence of desmosomes) and maintenance of stemness during culture (i.e. expression of ΔNp63α and formation of holoclones in colony formation assay). Presence of cultured epithelium on the matrices was associated with increased transparency (89%).

Effect of fiber crosslinking on collagen-fiber reinforced collagen-chondroitin-6-sulfate materials for regenerating load-bearing soft tissues.

Porous collagen-glycosaminoglycan structures are bioactive and exhibit a pore architecture favorable for both cellular infiltration and attachment; however, their inferior mechanical properties limit use, particularly in load-bearing situations. Reinforcement with collagen fibers may be a feasible route for enhancing the mechanical characteristics of these materials, providing potential for composites used for the repair and regeneration of soft tissue such as tendon, ligaments, and cartilage. Therefore, this study investigates the reinforcement of collagen-chondroitin-6-sulfate (C6S) porous structures with bundles of extruded, reconstituted type I collagen fibers. Fiber bundles were produced through extrusion and then, where applicable, crosslinked using a solution of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide/N-hydroxysuccinimide. Fibers were then submerged in the collagen-C6S matrix slurry before being lyophilized. A second 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide and N-hydroxysuccinimide crosslinking process was then applied to the composite material before a secondary lyophilization cycle. Where bundles had been previously crosslinked, composites withstood a load of approximately 60 N before failure, the reinforcing fibers remained dense and a favorable matrix pore structure resulted, with good interaction between fiber and matrix. Fibers that had not been crosslinked before lyophilization showed significant internal porosity and a channel existed between them and the matrix. Mechanical properties were significantly reduced, but the additional porosity could prove favorable for cell migration and has potential for directing aligned tissue growth.

Aligned nanofibrillar collagen regulates endothelial organization and migration.

AIM: Modulating endothelial cell (EC) morphology and motility, with the aim to influence their biology, might be beneficial for the treatment of vascular disease. We examined the effect of nanoscale matrix anisotropy on EC organization and migration for vascular tissue engineering applications. MATERIALS & METHODS: We developed a flow processing technique to generate anisotropic nanofibrillar collagen. Human ECs were cultured on aligned or on randomly oriented collagen, and their cellular alignment and cytoskeletal organization were characterized by immunofluorescence staining and time-lapse microscopy. RESULTS: ECs were elongated along the direction of aligned collagen nanofibrils and had organized focal adhesions. Cellular protrusion migrated with greater directionality and higher velocity along the anisotropic nanofibrils compared with cells on random nanofibrils. The flow technique can be adapted to fabricate vascular grafts that support the endothelial phenotype. CONCLUSION: Aligned nanofibrillar collagen regulates EC organization and migration, which can significantly contribute to the development of vascular grafts.

Synthetic collagen fascicles for the regeneration of tendon tissue.

The structure of an ideal scaffold for tendon regeneration must be designed to provide a mechanical, structural and chemotactic microenvironment for native cellular activity to synthesize functional (i.e. load bearing) tissue. Collagen fibre scaffolds for this application have shown some promise to date, although the microstructural control required to mimic the native tendon environment has yet to be achieved allowing for minimal control of critical in vivo properties such as degradation rate and mass transport. In this report we describe the fabrication of a novel multi-fibre collagen fascicle structure, based on type-I collagen with failure stress of 25-49 MPa, approximating the strength and structure of native tendon tissue. We demonstrate a microscopic fabrication process based on the automated assembly of type-I collagen fibres with the ability to produce a controllable fascicle-like, structural motif allowing variable numbers of fibres per fascicle. We have confirmed that the resulting post-fabrication type-I collagen structure retains the essential phase behaviour, alignment and spectral characteristics of aligned native type-I collagen. We have also shown that both ovine tendon fibroblasts and human white blood cells in whole blood readily infiltrate the matrix on a macroscopic scale and that these cells adhere to the fibre surface after seven days in culture. The study has indicated that the synthetic collagen fascicle system may be a suitable biomaterial scaffold to provide a rationally designed implantable matrix material to mediate tendon repair and regeneration.

Dense fibrillar collagen matrices to analyse extracellular matrix receptor function.

AIM: The goal of this study was to understand whether dense fibrillar collagen matrices, with a hierarchical structure resembling native collagen matrices, could be useful to study collagen receptor function, in a more physiological context. The receptor analysed here was integrin α11ß1, already shown to be involved in cell attachment and migration on collagen-coated plastic, and also in contraction of loose fibrillar collagen hydrogels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Collagen matrices prepared here corresponded to dense fibrillar hydrogels concentrated at 5mg/ml. The behaviour of α11ß1 deficient fibroblasts seeded on these concentrated matrices was assessed in terms of adhesion, morphology and migration, then compared to that observed on classical hydrogels at 1mg/ml, corresponding to loose collagen matrices. RESULTS: Short-term attachment assays showed disturbed interactions between α11ß1 deficient cells and collagen matrices in a concentration-dependent manner. Long-term assays revealed reduced cell spreading of alpha 11(-/-) cells on the dense collagen matrices, associated with a disturbed cytoskeleton network. Moreover, anoikis was observed when alpha 11(-/-) cells were seeded on 5mg/ml matrices, and not on looser 1mg/ml matrices. In scratch wound in vitro assays, carried out with cells on 5mg/ml fibrillar collagen matrices, alpha 11(-/-) cells migrated much better than their wild-type counterparts. In contrast, no significant difference was observed between wild and knock-out cells seeded on plastic. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates the validity of in vivo-like dense fibrillar collagen matrices to evaluate cell receptor functions more significantly than with 2D cell cultures or loose hydrogels.

The three-dimensional vascularization of growth factor-releasing hybrid scaffold of poly (epsilon-caprolactone)/collagen fibers and hyaluronic acid hydrogel.

A significant stumbling block in the creation of functional three-dimensional (3D) engineered tissues is the proper vascularization of the constructs. Furthermore, in the context of electrospinning, the development of 3D constructs using this technique has been hindered by the limited infiltration of cells into their structure. In an attempt to address these issues, a hybrid mesh of poly (ɛ-caprolactone)-collagen blend (PCL/Col) and hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel, Heprasil™ was created via a dual electrodeposition system. Simultaneous deposition of HA and PCL/Col allowed the dual loading and controlled release of two potent angiogenic growth factors VEGF(165) and PDGF-BB over a period of five weeks in vitro. Furthermore, this manner of loading sustained the bioactivity of the two growth factors. Utilizing an in-house developed 3D co-culture assay model of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and lung fibroblasts, the growth factor-loaded hybrid meshes was shown to not only support cellular attachment, but also their infiltration and the recapitulation of primitive capillary network in the scaffold's architecture. Thus, the creation of a PCL/Col-Heprasil hybrid scaffold is a step forward toward the attainment of a 3D bio-functionalized, vascularized tissue engineering construct.

Extruded collagen fibres for tissue engineering applications: effect of crosslinking method on mechanical and biological properties.

Reconstituted collagen fibres are promising candidates for tendon and ligament tissue regeneration. The crosslinking procedure determines the fibres' mechanical properties, degradation rate, and cell-fibre interactions. We aimed to compare mechanical and biological properties of collagen fibres resulting from two different types of crosslinking chemistry based on 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyllaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC). Fibres were crosslinked with either EDC or with EDC and ethylene-glycol-diglycidyl-ether (EDC/EGDE). Single fibres were mechanically tested to failure and bundles of fibres were seeded with tendon fibroblasts (TFs) and cell attachment and proliferation were determined over 14 days in culture. Collagen type I and tenascin-C production were assessed by immunohistochemistry and dot-blotting. EDC chemistry resulted in fibres with average mechanical properties but the highest cell proliferation rate and matrix protein production. EDC/EGDE chemistry resulted in fibres with improved mechanical properties but with a lower biocompatibility profile. Both chemistries may provide useful structures for scaffolding regeneration of tendon and ligament tissue and will be evaluated for in vivo tendon regeneration in future experiments.

The inhibition of platelet adhesion and activation on collagen during balloon angioplasty by collagen-binding peptidoglycans.

Collagen is a potent stimulator for platelet adhesion, activation, and thrombus formation, and provides a means for controlling blood loss due to injury, and recruiting inflammatory cells for fighting infection. Platelet activation is not desirable however, during balloon angioplasty/stent procedures in which balloon expansion inside an artery exposes collagen, initiating thrombosis, and inflammation. We have developed biomimetic polymers, termed peptidoglycans, composed of a dermatan sulfate backbone with covalently attached collagen-binding peptides. The peptidoglycan binds to collagen, effectively masking it from platelet activation. The lead peptidoglycan binds to collagen with high affinity (K(D) = 24 nm) and inhibits platelet binding and activation on collagen in both static studies and under flow, while promoting endothelial regrowth on collagen. Application for angioplasty is demonstrated in the Ossabaw miniature pig by fast delivery to the vessel wall through a therapeutic infusion catheter with a proprietary PTFE porous balloon. The peptidoglycan is an approach for locally preventing platelet deposition and activation on collagen. It can be used during angioplasty to prevent platelet deposition on target vessels and could be used in any vessel, including those not amenable to stent deployment.

In vitro observation of dynamic ordering processes in the extracellular matrix of living, adherent cells.

Collecting information at the interface between living cells and artificial substrates is exceedingly difficult. The extracellular matrix (ECM) mediates all cell-substrate interactions, and its ordered, fibrillar constituents are organized with nanometer precision. The proceedings at this interface are highly dynamic and delicate. In order to understand factors governing biocompatibility or its counterpart antifouling, it is necessary to probe this interface without disrupting labels or fixation and with sufficient temporal resolution. Here the authors combine nonlinear optical spectroscopy (sum-frequency-generation) and microscopy (second-harmonic-generation), fluorescence microscopy, and quartz crystal microgravimetry with dissipation monitoring in a strategy to elucidate molecular ordering processes in the ECM of living cells. Artificially (fibronectin and collagen I) and naturally ordered ECM fibrils (zebrafish, Danio rerio) were subjected to nonlinear optical analysis and were found to be clearly distinguishable from the background signals of diffusive proteins in the ECM. The initial steps of fibril deposition and ordering were observed in vitro as early as 1 h after cell seeding. The ability to follow the first steps of cell-substrate interactions in spite of the low amount of material present at this interface is expected to prove useful for the assessment of biomedical and environmental interfaces.

Probing cellular mechanobiology in three-dimensional culture with collagen-agarose matrices.

The study of how cell behavior is controlled by the biophysical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is limited in part by the lack of three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds that combine the biofunctionality of native ECM proteins with the tunability of synthetic materials. Here, we introduce a biomaterial platform in which the biophysical properties of collagen I are progressively altered by adding agarose. We find that agarose increases the elasticity of 3D collagen ECMs over two orders of magnitude with modest effect on collagen fiber organization. Surprisingly, increasing the agarose content slows and eventually stops invasion of glioma cells in a 3D spheroid model. Electron microscopy reveals that agarose forms a dense meshwork between the collagen fibers, which we postulate slows invasion by structurally coupling and reinforcing the collagen fibers and introducing steric barriers to motility. This is supported by time lapse imaging of individual glioma cells and multicellular spheroids, which shows that addition of agarose promotes amoeboid motility and restricts cell-mediated remodeling of individual collagen fibers. Our results are consistent with a model in which agarose shifts ECM dissipation of cell-induced stresses from non-affine deformation of individual collagen fibers to bulk-affine deformation of a continuum network.

Collagen-based fibrous scaffold for spatial organization of encapsulated and seeded human mesenchymal stem cells.

Living tissues consist of groups of cells organized in a controlled manner to perform a specific function. Spatial distribution of cells within a three-dimensional matrix is critical for the success of any tissue-engineering construct. Fibers endowed with cell-encapsulation capability would facilitate the achievement of this objective. Here we report the synthesis of a cell-encapsulated fibrous scaffold by interfacial polyelectrolyte complexation (IPC) of methylated collagen and a synthetic terpolymer. The collagen component was well distributed in the fiber, which had a mean ultimate tensile strength of 244.6+/-43.0 MPa. Cultured in proliferating medium, human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) encapsulated in the fibers showed higher proliferation rate than those seeded on the scaffold. Gene expression analysis revealed the maintenance of multipotency for both encapsulated and seeded samples up to 7 days as evidenced by Sox 9, CBFA-1, AFP, PPARgamma2, nestin, GFAP, collagen I, osteopontin and osteonectin genes. Beyond that, seeded hMSCs started to express neuronal-specific genes such as aggrecan and MAP2. The study demonstrates the appeal of IPC for scaffold design in general and the promise of collagen-based hybrid fibers for tissue engineering in particular. It lays the foundation for building fibrous scaffold that permits 3D spatial cellular organization and multi-cellular tissue development.

Different behavior of meniscal cells in collagen II/I,III and Hyaff-11 scaffolds in vitro.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the behavior of ovine meniscal cells seeded on biomaterials made from collagen and hyaluronan, respectively. Ovine meniscal cells were isolated from the medial menisci of stifle joints, expanded in monolayer culture, and seeded on scaffolds made of collagen type II and I/III and a hyaluronan derivative (Hyaff-11). The samples were cultured for 12 h and 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. Histological analysis, electron microscopy, biochemical assays for glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and DNA, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis for collagens were performed. The cells attached well to both biomaterials and produced tissue-specific proteins, such as GAG and collagen type I, over a period of 28 days. Differences between the biomaterials were seen with respect to cell distribution, cell morphology, and the dynamics of GAG synthesis. The results show that ovine meniscal cells express their phenotype in both biomaterials. In terms of biology, collagen and hyaluronan are both suitable for tissue engineering in meniscal regeneration. It remains to be determined which scaffold possesses adequate biomechanical properties for successful in vivo application.

Antithrombotic effect of tissue and plasma type angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in experimental thrombosis in rats.

This study compared the antithrombotic effect of plasma angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is): captopril (CAP), enalapril (ENA) and tissue ACE-Is: perindopril (PER), quinapril (QUIN) in experimental venous and arterial thrombosis. Normotensive Wistar rats were treated p.o. with CAP (75 mg/kg), ENA (20 mg/kg), PER (2 mg/kg) and QUIN (3 mg/kg) for 10 days. The influence of ACE-Is on coagulation and fibrinolytic systems as well as platelet function was evaluated. The hypotensive effect of ACE-Is was equal in all groups. QUIN maintained the final carotid blood flow at the highest value in comparison to PER and plasma ACE-Is. The arterial thrombus weight was reduced in PER and QUIN groups while venous thrombus weight was also reduced after CAP. Tissue and plasma ACE-Is caused the inhibition of platelet adhesion and aggregation. A reduction of fibrin generation, prolongation of prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and shortening of euglobulin clot lysis time (ECLT) were observed after PER and QUIN treatment. In conclusion, given in equipotent hypotensive doses, tissue ACE-Is exerted more pronounced antithrombotic effect than plasma ACE-Is in experimental thrombosis. The differences between tissue and plasma ACE-Is in terms of their more pronounced inhibition of experimental thrombosis may be related to the intensified activation of fibrinolysis and inhibition of coagulation.