Evaluation of an injectable, photopolymerizable, and three-dimensional scaffold based on methacrylate-endcapped poly(D,L-lactide-co-epsilon-caprolactone) combined with autologous mesenchymal stem cells in a goat tibial unicortical defect model

Tissue Eng Part A. 2009 Jul;15(7):1501-11. doi: 10.1089/ten.tea.2008.0367.

Abstract

An in situ crosslinkable, biodegradable, methacrylate-endcapped poly(D,L-lactide-co-epsilon-caprolactone) in which crosslinkage is achieved by photoinitiators was developed for bone tissue regeneration. Different combinations of the polymer with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and alpha-tricalcium phosphate (alpha-TCP) were tested in a unicortical tibial defect model in eight goats. The polymers were randomly applied in one of three defects (6.0 mm diameter) using a fourth unfilled defect as control. Biocompatibility and bone-healing characteristics were evaluated by serial radiographies, histology, histomorphometry, and immunohistochemistry. The results demonstrated cell survival and proliferation in the polymer-substituted bone defects. The addition of alpha-TCP was associated with less expansion and growth of the BMSCs than other polymer composites.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / drug effects
  • Bone Marrow Cells / radiation effects
  • Cell Separation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Goats
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Injections
  • Light
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / radiation effects
  • Methacrylates / chemistry*
  • Methacrylates / pharmacology
  • Models, Biological*
  • Polyesters / chemistry*
  • Polyesters / pharmacology
  • Radiography
  • Tibia / diagnostic imaging
  • Tibia / drug effects
  • Tibia / pathology*
  • Tibia / surgery
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry*

Substances

  • Methacrylates
  • Polyesters
  • lactide-caprolactone copolymer