Liguo Cui

In Vitro Studies on Regulation of Osteogenic Activities by Electrical Stimulus on Biodegradable Electroactive Polyelectrolyte Multilayers

In this study, a novel electroactive tetreaniline-containing degradable polyelectrolyte multilayer film (PEM) coating [(poly(l-glutamic acid)-graft-tetreaniline/poly(l-lysine)-graft-tetreaniline)n, (PGA-g-TA/PLL-g-TA)n] was designed and fabricated by layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly method. Compared with the nongrafted PEMs, the tetreaniline-grafted PEMs showed higher roughness and stiffness in micro/nanoscale structures. The special surface characteristics and the typical electroconductive properties were more beneficial for adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells. Moreover, the enhanced effects were observed on the modulation of MC3T3-E1 cells that differentiated into maturing osteoblasts, when the electroactive PEMs were coupled with electrical stimulus (ES), especially in the early phase of the osteoblast differentiation. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium deposition, immunofluorescence staining, and RT-qPCR were evaluated on the differentiation of preosteoblast. These data indicate that the comprehensive effects through coupling electroactive scaffolds with electrical stimulus are better to develop bioelectric strategies to control cell functions for bone regeneration.

In Situ Electroactive and Antioxidant Supramolecular Hydrogel Based on Cyclodextrin/Copolymer Inclusion for Tissue Engineering Repair

The injectable electroactive and antioxidant hydrogels are prepared from mixing the tetraaniline functional copolymers and α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) aqueous solution. UV-vis and CV of the copolymer solution showed good electroactive properties. The antioxidant ability of the copolymer is also proved. The gelation mechanism and properties of the system are studied by WAXD, DSC, and rheometer. The encapsulated cells are highly viable in the hydrogels, suggesting that the hydrogels have excellent cytocompatibility. After subcutaneous injection, H&E staining study suggests acceptable biocompatibility of the materials in vivo. Moreover, data shows the injectable electroactive material can effectively accelerate the proliferation of encapsulated cells with electrical stimuli, and the mechanism is also elaborated. Such an injectable electroactive hydrogel would more closely mimic the native extracellular matrix, thereby combining a biomimetic environment of long-term cell survival and electrical signal to support the generation of functional tissue.

A Novel Nano/Micro-Fibrous Scaffold by Melt-Spinning Method for Bone Tissue Engineering

In order to architecturally and functionally mimic native Extracellular Matrix (ECM), a novel micro/nano-fibrous scaffold of hydroxyapetite/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (HA/PLGA) composite was successfully prepared by melt-spinning method. A porous three-dimensional scaffold fabricated by melt-molding particulate-leaching method was used as control. This kind of scaffold comprising both nanofiber and microfiber had an original structure including a nano-network favorable for cell adhesion, and a micro-fiber providing a strong skeleton for support. The microfibers and nanofibers were blended homogeneously in scaffold and the compression strength reached to 6.27 MPa, which was close to human trabecular bone. The typical mi-cro/nano-fibrous structure was more beneficial for the proliferation and differentiation of Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSCs). The calcium deposition and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activity were evaluated by the differentiation of BMSCs, and the results indicated that the temporary ECM was very beneficial for the differentiation of BMSCs into maturing osteoblasts. For repairing rabbit radius defects in vivo, micro/nano-fibrous scaffold was used for the purpose of rapid bone remodeling in the defect area. The results showed that a distinct bony callus of bridging was observed at 12 weeks post-surgery and the expression of osteogenesis-related genes (bone-morphogenetic protein-2, Osteonectin, collagen-I) increased because of the ECM-like structure. Based on the results, the novel micro/nano-fibrous scaffold might be a promising candidate for bone tissue engineering.

In Vivo Degradation Behavior of Porous Composite Scaffolds of Poly（lactide-co-glycolide） and Nano-hydroxyapatite Surface Grafted with Poly（L-lactide）

The biodegradable porous composite scaffold, composed of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (n-HAP) surface-grafted with poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) (g-HAP) (g-HAP/PLGA), was fabricated using the solvent casting/particulate leaching method, and its in vivo degradation behavior was investigated by the intramuscular implantation in rabbits. The composite of un-grafted n-HAP/PLGA and neat PLGA were used as controls. The scaffolds had interconnected pore structures with average pore sizes between 137 μm and 148 μm and porosities between 83% and 86%. There was no significant difference in the pore size and porosity among the three scaffolds. Compared with n-HAP/PLGA, the thermo-degradation temperature (Tc) of g-HAP/PLGA decreased while its glass transition temperature (Tg) increased. The weight change, grey value analysis of radiographs and SEM observation showed that the composite scaffolds of g-HAP/PLGA and n-HAP/PLGA showed slower degradation and higher mineralization than the pure PLGA scaffold after the intramuscular implantation. The rapid degradation of PLGA, g-HAP/PLGA and n-HAP/PLGA occurred at 8–12 weeks, 12–16 weeks and 16–20 weeks, respectively. Compared with n-HAP/PLGA, g-HAP/PLGA showed an improved absorption and biomineralization property mostly because of its improved distribution of HAP nanoparticles. The levels of both calcium and phosphorous in serum and urine could be affected to some extent at 3–4 weeks after the implantation of g-HAP/PLGA, but the biochemical detection of serum AST, ALT, ALP, and GGT as well as BUN and CRE showed no obvious influence on the functions of liver and kidney.

Improved cellular infiltration into 3D interconnected microchannel scaffolds formed by using melt-spun sacrificial microfibers

We report a novel fabrication method using melt-spun sacrificial microfibers to make 3D interconnected microchannel scaffolds for improved cellular infiltration. The uniformly distributed cells in the highly porous microchannel scaffold maintained high cellular viability and glycosaminoglycan secretion indicating the good interconnectivity facilitates the smooth delivery of cells throughout the scaffold and allows sufficient oxygen and nutrient mass transport into the scaffold.