An in vitro and in vivo study on the properties of hollow polycaprolactone cell-delivery particles

PLoS One. 2018 Jul 3;13(7):e0198248. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198248. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

The field of dermal fillers is evolving rapidly and numerous products are currently on the market. Biodegradable polymers such as polycaprolactone (PCL) have been found to be compatible with several body tissues, and this makes them an ideal material for dermal filling purposes. Hollow PCL spheres were developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to serve both as an anchor point and a "tissue harbour" for cells. Particles were tested for cytotoxicity and cell adherence using mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF). MEFs adhered to the particles and no significant toxic effects were observed based on morphology, cell growth, cell viability and cell cycle analysis, suggesting that the particles are suitable candidates for cell delivery systems in an in vivo setting. The objective of providing a "tissue harbour" was however not realized, as cells did not preferentially migrate into the ported particles. In vivo studies were conducted in BALB/c mice into whom particles were introduced at the level of the hypodermis. Mice injected with PCL particles (ported and non-ported; with or without MEFs) showed evidence of local inflammation and increased adipogenesis at the site of injection, as well as a systemic inflammatory response. These effects were also observed in mice that received apparently inert (polystyrene) particles. Ported PCL particles can therefore act as a cell delivery system and through their ability to induce adipogenesis, may also serve as a dermal bulking agent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipogenesis / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Dermal Fillers / pharmacology*
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / physiology
  • Fibroblasts / transplantation*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Models, Animal
  • Polyesters / chemistry
  • Polyesters / pharmacology*
  • Polystyrenes / chemistry
  • Polystyrenes / pharmacology
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*
  • Tissue Scaffolds*

Substances

  • Dermal Fillers
  • Polyesters
  • Polystyrenes
  • polycaprolactone

Grants and funding

This work was funded by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, South Africa, by the Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine of the University of Pretoria and by the Medical Research Council of South Africa (Flagship Award SAMRC-RFA-UFSP-01-2013/STEM CELLS and the SAMRC Extramural Unit for Stem Cell Research and Therapy).