Controlled cell-seeding methodologies: a first step toward clinically relevant bone tissue engineering strategies

Tissue Eng Part C Methods. 2010 Dec;16(6):1575-83. doi: 10.1089/ten.TEC.2010.0069. Epub 2010 Aug 11.

Abstract

The repair of large and complex bone defects could be helped by a cell-based bone tissue engineering strategy. A reliable and consistent cell-seeding methodology is a mandatory step in bringing bone tissue engineering into the clinic. However, optimization of the cell-seeding step is only relevant when it can be reliably evaluated. The cell seeding efficiency (CSE) plays a fundamental role herein. Results showed that cell lysis and the definition used to determine the CSE played a key role in quantifying the CSE. The definition of CSE should therefore be consistent and unambiguous. The study of the influence of five drop-seeding-related parameters within the studied test conditions showed that (i) the cell density and (ii) the seeding vessel did not significantly affect the CSE, whereas (iii) the volume of seeding medium-to-free scaffold volume ratio (MFR), (iv) the seeding time, and (v) the scaffold morphology did. Prolonging the incubation time increased the CSE up to a plateau value at 4 h. Increasing the MFR or permeability by changing the morphology of the scaffolds significantly reduced the CSE. These results confirm that cell seeding optimization is needed and that an evidence-based selection of the seeding conditions is favored.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomedical Engineering / methods*
  • Biomedical Engineering / standards
  • Bone and Bones / cytology*
  • Bone and Bones / physiology
  • Calibration
  • Cell Count / standards
  • Cell Culture Techniques / methods
  • Cell Culture Techniques / standards
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Humans
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*
  • Tissue Engineering / standards