Multi-objective property optimisation of a phosphoserine-modified calcium phosphate cement for orthopaedic and dental applications using design of experiments methodology.

Phosphoserine is a ubiquitous molecule found in numerous proteins and, when combined with alpha-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) powder, demonstrates the ability to generate an adhesive biomaterial capable of stabilising and repairing bone fractures. Design of Experiments (DoE) approach was able to optimise the composition of phosphoserine-modified calcium phosphate cement (PM-CPC) demonstrating that the liquid:powder ratio (LPR) and quantity of phosphoserine (wt%) significantly influenced the handling, mechanical, and adhesion properties. Subsequently, the DoE optimisation process identified the optimal PM-CPC formulation, exhibiting a compressive strength of 29.2 ± 4.9 MPa and bond/shear strength of 3.6 ± 0.9 MPa after a 24 h setting reaction. Moreover, the optimal PM-CPC composition necessitated a mixing time of 20 s and displayed an initial setting time between 3 and 4 min, thus enabling homogenous mixing and precise delivery within a surgical environment. Notably, the PM-CPC demonstrated a bone-to-bone bond strength of 1.05 ± 0.3 MPa under wet conditions, coupled with a slow degradation rate during the first five days. These findings highlight the ability of PM-CPC to effectively support and stabilise bone fragments during the initial stages of natural bone healing. The developed PM-CPC formulations fulfil the clinical requirements for working and setting times, static mechanical, degradation properties, and injectability, enabling surgeons to stabilise complex bone fractures. This innovative bioinspired adhesive represents a significant advancement in the treatment of challenging bone injuries, offering precise delivery within a surgical environment and the potential to enhance patient outcomes. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This manuscript presents a noteworthy contribution to the field of bone fracture healing and fixation by introducing a novel phosphoserine-modified calcium phosphate cement (PM-CPC) adhesive by incorporating phosphoserine and alpha-TCP. This study demonstrates the fabrication and extensive characterisation of this adhesive biomaterial that holds great promise for stabilising and repairing complex bone fractures. Design of Experiment (DoE) software was used to investigate the correlations between process, property, and structure of the adhesive, resulting in a cost-effective formulation with desirable physical and handling properties. The PM-CPC adhesive exhibited excellent adhesion and cohesion properties in wet-field conditions. This research offers significant potential for clinical translation and contributes to the ongoing advancements in bone tissue engineering.

The Role of Machine Learning and Design of Experiments in the Advancement of Biomaterial and Tissue Engineering Research.

Optimisation of tissue engineering (TE) processes requires models that can identify relationships between the parameters to be optimised and predict structural and performance outcomes from both physical and chemical processes. Currently, Design of Experiments (DoE) methods are commonly used for optimisation purposes in addition to playing an important role in statistical quality control and systematic randomisation for experiment planning. DoE is only used for the analysis and optimisation of quantitative data (i.e., number-based, countable or measurable), while it lacks the suitability for imaging and high dimensional data analysis. Machine learning (ML) offers considerable potential for data analysis, providing a greater flexibility in terms of data that can be used for optimisation and predictions. Its application within the fields of biomaterials and TE has recently been explored. This review presents the different types of DoE methodologies and the appropriate methods that have been used in TE applications. Next, ML algorithms that are widely used for optimisation and predictions are introduced and their advantages and disadvantages are presented. The use of different ML algorithms for TE applications is reviewed, with a particular focus on their use in optimising 3D bioprinting processes for tissue-engineered construct fabrication. Finally, the review discusses the future perspectives and presents the possibility of integrating DoE and ML in one system that would provide opportunities for researchers to achieve greater improvements in the TE field.

Development and characterisation of 3D collagen-gelatin based scaffolds for breast cancer research.

While 2D culture presents a useful tool for cancer research, it fails to replicate the tumor microenvironment as it lacks proper three-dimensional cell-cell/cell-matrix interactions, often resulting in exaggerated responses to therapeutic agents. 3D models that aim to overcome the issues associated with 2D culture research offer a new frontier for cancer research with cell growth, morphology and genetic properties that more closely match in vivo cancers. Herein, we aim to develop a collagen-based scaffold that supports the attachment and proliferation of breast cancer (BC) cells as a 3D culture model. Scaffolds were produced on a repeatable basis using a freeze-drying procedure. The constructs were highly porous (>99%) with homogenous pore sizes (150-300 µm) and an interconnected structure. The application of 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDAC) crosslinking resulted in scaffolds with elastic moduli in the range of 1-2 kPa, mimicking cancerous breast tissue stiffness. Furthermore, the incorporation of gelatin into the scaffolds enabled the porosity, pore size and mechanical properties to be tailored, resulting in scaffolds with stiffness values that accurately replicate the stiffness of human BC extracellular matrix (ECM) (1.3-1.7 kPa). Scaffolds displayed high in vitro stability with 90% of mass remaining after 14 days of culture. The scaffolds were shown to be highly biocompatible, and capable of supporting the attachment, infiltration and proliferation of MCF7 breast cancer (BC) cells over +14 days. These results confirm the suitability of these scaffolds as culture models for BC cells. These collagen-based scaffolds offer significant potential for the exploration of aspects of BC, such as gene expression profiles and patterns, and for the assessment of the efficacy of therapeutic agents in treating BC.

Biodegradable and Biocompatible Adhesives for the Effective Stabilisation, Repair and Regeneration of Bone.

Bone defects and complex fractures present significant challenges for orthopaedic surgeons. Current surgical procedures involve the reconstruction and mechanical stabilisation of complex fractures using metal hardware (i.e., wires, plates and screws). However, these procedures often result in poor healing. An injectable, biocompatible, biodegradable bone adhesive that could glue bone fragments back together would present a highly attractive solution. A bone adhesive that meets the many clinical requirements for such an application has yet to be developed. While synthetic and biological polymer-based adhesives (e.g., cyanoacrylates, PMMA, fibrin, etc.) have been used effectively as bone void fillers, these materials lack biomechanical integrity and demonstrate poor injectability, which limits the clinical effectiveness and potential for minimally invasive delivery. This systematic review summarises conventional approaches and recent developments in the area of bone adhesives for orthopaedic applications. The required properties for successful bone repair adhesives, which include suitable injectability, setting characteristics, mechanical properties, biocompatibility and an ability to promote new bone formation, are highlighted. Finally, the potential to achieve repair of challenging bone voids and fractures as well as the potential of new bioinspired adhesives and the future directions relating to their clinical development are discussed.

Advancing bone tissue engineering one layer at a time: a layer-by-layer assembly approach to 3D bone scaffold materials.

The layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly technique has shown excellent potential in tissue engineering applications. The technique is mainly based on electrostatic attraction and involves the sequential adsorption of oppositely charged electrolyte complexes onto a substrate, resulting in uniform single layers that can be rapidly deposited to form nanolayer films. LbL has attracted significant attention as a coating technique due to it being a convenient and affordable fabrication method capable of achieving a wide range of biomaterial coatings while keeping the main biofunctionality of the substrate materials. One promising application is the use of nanolayer films fabricated by LbL assembly in the development of 3-dimensional (3D) bone scaffolds for bone repair and regeneration. Due to their versatility, nanoscale films offer an exciting opportunity for tailoring surface and bulk property modification of implants for osseous defect therapies. This review article discusses the state of the art of the LbL assembly technique, and the properties and functions of LbL-assembled films for engineered bone scaffold application, combination of multilayers for multifunctional coatings and recent advancements in the application of LbL assembly in bone tissue engineering. The recent decade has seen tremendous advances in the promising developments of LbL film systems and their impact on cell interaction and tissue repair. A deep understanding of the cell behaviour and biomaterial interaction for the further development of new generations of LbL films for tissue engineering are the most important targets for biomaterial research in the field. While there is still much to learn about the biological and physicochemical interactions at the interface of nano-surface coated scaffolds and biological systems, we provide a conceptual review to further progress in the LbL approach to 3D bone scaffold materials and inform the future of LbL development in bone tissue engineering.

Evaluation of a co-culture of rapidly isolated chondrocytes and stem cells seeded on tri-layered collagen-based scaffolds in a caprine osteochondral defect model.

Cartilage has poor regenerative capacity and thus damage to the joint surfaces presents a major clinical challenge. Recent research has focussed on the development of tissue-engineered and cell-based approaches for the treatment of cartilage and osteochondral injuries, with current clinically available cell-based approaches including autologous chondrocyte implantation and matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation. However, these approaches have significant disadvantages due to the requirement for a two-stage surgical procedure and an in vitro chondrocyte expansion phase which increases logistical challenges, hospital times and costs. In this study, we hypothesized that seeding biomimetic tri-layered scaffolds, with proven regenerative potential, with chondrocyte/infrapatellar fat pad stromal cell co-cultures would improve their regenerative capacity compared to scaffolds implanted cell-free. Rapid cell isolation techniques, without the requirement for long term in vitro culture, were utilised to achieve co-cultures of chondrocytes and stromal cells and thus overcome the limitations of existing cell-based techniques. Cell-free and cell-seeded scaffolds were implanted in osteochondral defects, created within the femoral condyle and trochlear ridge, in a translational large animal goat model. While analysis showed trends towards delayed subchondral bone healing in the cell-seeded scaffold group, by the 12 month timepoint the cell-free and cell-seeded groups yield cartilage and bone tissue with comparable quality and quantity. The results of the study reinforce the potential of the biomimetic tri-layered scaffold to repair joint defects but failed to demonstrate a clear benefit from the addition of the CC/FPMSC co-culture to this scaffold. Taking into consideration the additional cost and complexity associated with the cell-seeded scaffold approach, this study demonstrates that the treatment of osteochondral defects using cell-free tri-layered scaffolds may represent a more prudent clinical approach.

Metallic Microneedles for Transdermal Drug Delivery: Applications, Fabrication Techniques and the Effect of Geometrical Characteristics.

Current procedures for transdermal drug delivery (TDD) have associated limitations including poor administration of nucleic acid, small or large drug molecules, pain and stress for needle phobic people. A painless micro-sized device capable of delivering drugs easily and efficiently, eliminating the disadvantages of traditional systems, has yet to be developed. While polymeric-based microneedle (MN) arrays have been used successfully and clinically as TDD systems, these devices lack mechanical integrity, piercing capacity and the ability to achieve tailored drug release into the systemic circulation. Recent advances in micro/nano fabrication techniques using Additive Manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, have enabled the fabrication of metallic MN arrays, which offer the potential to overcome the limitations of existing systems. This review summarizes the different types of MNs used in TDD and their mode of drug delivery. The application of MNs in the treatment of a range of diseases including diabetes and cancer is discussed. The potential role of solid metallic MNs in TDD, the various techniques used for their fabrication, and the influence of their geometrical characteristics (e.g., shape, size, base diameter, thickness, and tip sharpness) on effective TDD are explored. Finally, the potential and the future directions relating to the optimization of metallic MN arrays for TDD are highlighted.

Layer-specific stem cell differentiation in tri-layered tissue engineering biomaterials: Towards development of a single-stage cell-based approach for osteochondral defect repair.

Successful repair of osteochondral defects is challenging, due in part to their complex gradient nature. Tissue engineering approaches have shown promise with the development of layered scaffolds that aim to promote cartilage and bone regeneration within the defect. The clinical potential of implanting these scaffolds cell-free has been demonstrated, whereby cells from the host bone marrow MSCs infiltrate the scaffolds and promote cartilage and bone regeneration within the required regions of the defect. However, seeding the cartilage layer of the scaffold with a chondrogenic cell population prior to implantation may enhance cartilage tissue regeneration, thus enabling the treatment of larger defects. Here the development of a cell seeding approach capable of enhancing articular cartilage repair without the requirement for in vitro expansion of the cell population is explored. The intrinsic ability of a tri-layered scaffold previously developed in our group to direct stem cell differentiation in each layer of the scaffold was first demonstrated. Following this, the optimal chondrogenic cell seeding approach capable of enhancing the regenerative capacity of the tri-layered scaffold was demonstrated with the highest levels of chondrogenesis achieved with a co-culture of rapidly isolated infrapatellar fat pad MSCs (FPMSCs) and chondrocytes (CCs). The addition of FPMSCs to a relatively small number of CCs led to a 7.8-fold increase in the sGAG production over chondrocytes in mono-culture. This cell seeding approach has the potential to be delivered within a single-stage approach, without the requirement for costly in vitro expansion of harvested cells, to achieve rapid repair of osteochondral defects.

Translational Application of 3D Bioprinting for Cartilage Tissue Engineering.

Cartilage is an avascular tissue with extremely limited self-regeneration capabilities. At present, there are no existing treatments that effectively stop the deterioration of cartilage or reverse its effects; current treatments merely relieve its symptoms and surgical intervention is required when the condition aggravates. Thus, cartilage damage remains an ongoing challenge in orthopaedics with an urgent need for improved treatment options. In recent years, major advances have been made in the development of three-dimensional (3D) bioprinted constructs for cartilage repair applications. 3D bioprinting is an evolutionary additive manufacturing technique that enables the precisely controlled deposition of a combination of biomaterials, cells, and bioactive molecules, collectively known as bioink, layer-by-layer to produce constructs that simulate the structure and function of native cartilage tissue. This review provides an insight into the current developments in 3D bioprinting for cartilage tissue engineering. The bioink and construct properties required for successful application in cartilage repair applications are highlighted. Furthermore, the potential for translation of 3D bioprinted constructs to the clinic is discussed. Overall, 3D bioprinting demonstrates great potential as a novel technique for the fabrication of tissue engineered constructs for cartilage regeneration, with distinct advantages over conventional techniques.

Advances in biofabrication techniques for collagen-based 3D in vitro culture models for breast cancer research.

Collagen is the most abundant component of the extracellular matrix (ECM), therefore it represents an ideal biomaterial for the culture of a variety of cell types. Recently, collagen-based scaffolds have shown promise as 3D culture platforms for breast cancer-based research. Two-dimensional (2D) in vitro culture models, while useful for gaining preliminary insights, are ultimately flawed as they do not adequately replicate the tumour microenvironment. As a result, they do not facilitate proper 3D cell-cell/cell-matrix interactions and often an exaggerated response to therapeutic agents occurs. The ECM plays a crucial role in the development and spread of cancer. Alterations within the ECM have a significant impact on the pathogenesis of cancer, the initiation of metastasis and ultimate progression of the disease. 3D in vitro culture models that aim to replicate the tumour microenvironment have the potential to offer a new frontier for cancer research with cell growth, morphology and genetic properties that more closely match in vivo cancers. While initial 3D in vitro culture models used in breast cancer research consisted of simple hydrogel platforms, recent advances in biofabrication techniques, including freeze-drying, electrospinning and 3D bioprinting, have enabled the fabrication of biomimetic collagen-based platforms that more closely replicate the breast cancer ECM. This review highlights the current application of collagen-based scaffolds as 3D in vitro culture models for breast cancer research, specifically for adherence-based scaffolds (i.e. matrix-assisted). Finally, the future perspectives of 3D in vitro breast cancer models and their potential to lead to an improved understanding of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment are discussed.

Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticles-Based Systems for RNAi Delivery: Applications in Bone Tissue Regeneration.

Bone-related injury and disease constitute a significant global burden both socially and economically. Current treatments have many limitations and thus the development of new approaches for bone-related conditions is imperative. Gene therapy is an emerging approach for effective bone repair and regeneration, with notable interest in the use of RNA interference (RNAi) systems to regulate gene expression in the bone microenvironment. Calcium phosphate nanoparticles represent promising materials for use as non-viral vectors for gene therapy in bone tissue engineering applications due to their many favorable properties, including biocompatibility, osteoinductivity, osteoconductivity, and strong affinity for binding to nucleic acids. However, low transfection rates present a significant barrier to their clinical use. This article reviews the benefits of calcium phosphate nanoparticles for RNAi delivery and highlights the role of surface functionalization in increasing calcium phosphate nanoparticles stability, improving cellular uptake and increasing transfection efficiency. Currently, the underlying mechanistic principles relating to these systems and their interplay during in vivo bone formation is not wholly understood. Furthermore, the optimal microRNA targets for particular bone tissue regeneration applications are still unclear. Therefore, further research is required in order to achieve the optimal calcium phosphate nanoparticles-based systems for RNAi delivery for bone tissue regeneration.

Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticles for Therapeutic Applications in Bone Regeneration.

Bone injuries and diseases constitute a burden both socially and economically, as the consequences of a lack of effective treatments affect both the patients' quality of life and the costs on the health systems. This impended need has led the research community's efforts to establish efficacious bone tissue engineering solutions. There has been a recent focus on the use of biomaterial-based nanoparticles for the delivery of therapeutic factors. Among the biomaterials being considered to date, calcium phosphates have emerged as one of the most promising materials for bone repair applications due to their osteoconductivity, osteoinductivity and their ability to be resorbed in the body. Calcium phosphate nanoparticles have received particular attention as non-viral vectors for gene therapy, as factors such as plasmid DNAs, microRNAs (miRNA) and silencing RNA (siRNAs) can be easily incorporated on their surface. Calcium phosphate nanoparticles loaded with therapeutic factors have also been delivered to the site of bone injury using scaffolds and hydrogels. This review provides an extensive overview of the current state-of-the-art relating to the design and synthesis of calcium phosphate nanoparticles as carriers for therapeutic factors, the mechanisms of therapeutic factors' loading and release, and their application in bone tissue engineering.

Tissue-specific extracellular matrix scaffolds for the regeneration of spatially complex musculoskeletal tissues.

Biological scaffolds generated from tissue-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) are commonly used clinically for soft tissue regeneration. Such biomaterials can enhance tissue-specific differentiation of adult stem cells, suggesting that structuring different ECMs into multi-layered scaffolds can form the basis of new strategies for regenerating damaged interfacial tissues such as the osteochondral unit. In this study, mass spectrometry is used to demonstrate that growth plate (GP) and articular cartilage (AC) ECMs contain a unique array of regulatory proteins that may be particularly suited to bone and cartilage repair respectively. Applying a novel iterative freeze-drying method, porous bi-phasic scaffolds composed of GP ECM overlaid by AC ECM are fabricated, which are capable of spatially directing stem cell differentiation in vitro, promoting the development of graded tissues transitioning from calcified cartilage to hyaline-like cartilage. Evaluating repair 12-months post-implantation into critically-sized caprine osteochondral defects reveals that these scaffolds promote regeneration in a manner distinct to commercial control-scaffolds. The GP layer supports endochondral bone formation, while the AC layer stimulates the formation of an overlying layer of hyaline cartilage with a collagen fiber architecture better recapitulating the native tissue. These findings support the use of a bi-layered, tissue-specific ECM derived scaffolds for regenerating spatially complex musculoskeletal tissues.

Freeze-Drying as a Novel Biofabrication Method for Achieving a Controlled Microarchitecture within Large, Complex Natural Biomaterial Scaffolds.

The biofabrication of large natural biomaterial scaffolds into complex 3D shapes which have a controlled microarchitecture remains a major challenge. Freeze-drying (or lyophilization) is a technique used to generate scaffolds in planar 3D geometries. Here we report the development of a new biofabrication process to form a collagen-based scaffold into a large, complex geometry which has a large height to width ratio, and a controlled porous microarchitecture. This biofabrication process is validated through the successful development of a heart valve shaped scaffold, fabricated from a collagen-glycosaminoglycan co-polymer. Notably, despite the significant challenges in using freeze-drying to create such a structure, the resultant scaffold has a uniform, homogenous pore architecture throughout. This is achieved through optimization of the freeze-drying mold and the freezing parameters. We believe this to be the first demonstration of using freeze-drying to create a large, complex scaffold geometry with a controlled, porous architecture for natural biomaterials. This study validates the potential of using freeze-drying for development of organ-specific scaffold geometries for tissue engineering applications, which up until now might not have been considered feasible.

Repair of large osteochondritis dissecans lesions using a novel multilayered tissue engineered construct in an equine athlete.

Osteochondral lesions resulting from osteochondritis dissecans are problematic to treat and present a significant challenge for clinicians. The aims of this study were to investigate the use of a scaffold-assisted microfracture approach, employing a novel, multilayered, collagen-based, osteochondral graft substitute in the treatment of severe osteochondritis dissecans of both lateral femoral trochlear ridges in an equine athlete, and to assess the potential of this novel scaffold to enhance repair of the osteochondral unit. A 15 month-old female filly presented with large osteochondritis dissecans lesions involving both femoral lateral trochlear ridges. After routine arthroscopic debridement and microfracture of the subchondral bone, multilayered osteochondral defect repair scaffolds were implanted into the fragmentation beds in both left and right femoropatellar joints via mini-arthrotomies. Exploratory arthroscopy 5 months postimplantation revealed smooth cartilaginous repair tissue, contiguous with the adjacent cartilage, covering the defect. At 22-month follow up, the filly had no signs of lameness and was exercising at her intended level. Radiographically, although still slightly flattened, the femoral trochlear ridges were smooth, with no evidence of osteoarthritis. Ultrasonographically, the defects were filled with bone and covered with an overlying cartilaginous layer, with the trochlear ridge contour almost entirely restored. This report demonstrates the effective clinical use of this novel, multilayered, osteochondral defect repair scaffold in the treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of an equine athlete. The successful repair achieved here using this novel scaffold in an equine patient with large bilateral lesions shows the potential for clinical translation in the treatment of human patients presenting with osteochondral defects. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The benefits and limitations of animal models for translational research in cartilage repair.

Much research is currently ongoing into new therapies for cartilage defect repair with new biomaterials frequently appearing which purport to have significant regenerative capacity. These biomaterials may be classified as medical devices, and as such must undergo rigorous testing before they are implanted in humans. A large part of this testing involves in vitro trials and biomechanical testing. However, in order to bridge the gap between the lab and the clinic, in vivo preclinical trials are required, and usually demanded by regulatory approval bodies. This review examines the in vivo models in current use for cartilage defect repair testing and the relevance of each in the context of generated results and applicability to bringing the device to clinical practice. Some of the preclinical models currently used include murine, leporine, ovine, caprine, porcine, canine, and equine models. Each of these has advantages and disadvantages in terms of animal husbandry, cartilage thickness, joint biomechanics and ethical and licencing issues. This review will examine the strengths and weaknesses of the various animal models currently in use in preclinical studies of cartilage repair.

Cell-free multi-layered collagen-based scaffolds demonstrate layer specific regeneration of functional osteochondral tissue in caprine joints.

Developing repair strategies for osteochondral tissue presents complex challenges due to its interfacial nature and complex zonal structure, consisting of subchondral bone, intermediate calcified cartilage and the superficial cartilage regions. In this study, the long term ability of a multi-layered biomimetic collagen-based scaffold to repair osteochondral defects is investigated in a large animal model: namely critical sized lateral trochlear ridge (TR) and medial femoral condyle (MC) defects in the caprine stifle joint. The study thus presents the first data in a clinically applicable large animal model. Scaffold fixation and early integration was demonstrated at 2 weeks post implantation. Macroscopic analysis demonstrated improved healing in the multi-layered scaffold group compared to empty defects and a market approved synthetic polymer osteochondral scaffold groups at 6 and 12 months post implantation. Radiological analysis demonstrated superior subchondral bone formation in both defect sites in the multi-layered scaffold group as early as 3 months, with complete regeneration of subchondral bone by 12 months. Histological analysis confirmed the formation of well-structured subchondral trabecular bone and hyaline-like cartilage tissue in the multi-layered scaffold group by 12 months with restoration of the anatomical tidemark. Demonstration of improved healing following treatment with this natural polymer scaffold, through the recruitment of host cells with no requirement for pre-culture, shows the potential of this device for the treatment of patients presenting with osteochondal lesions.

Multi-layered collagen-based scaffolds for osteochondral defect repair in rabbits.

INTRODUCTION: Identification of a suitable treatment for osteochondral repair presents a major challenge due to existing limitations and an urgent clinical need remains for an off-the-shelf, low cost, one-step approach. A biomimetic approach, where the biomaterial itself encourages cellular infiltration from the underlying bone marrow and provides physical and chemical cues to direct these cells to regenerate the damaged tissue, provides a potential solution. To meet this need, a multi-layer collagen-based osteochondral defect repair scaffold has been developed in our group. AIM: The objective of this study was to assess the in vivo response to this scaffold and determine its ability to direct regenerative responses in each layer in order to repair osteochondral tissue in a critical-sized defect in a rabbit knee. METHODS: Multi-layer scaffolds, consisting of a bone layer composed of type I collagen (bovine source) and hydroxyapatite (HA), an intermediate layer composed of type I and type II collagen and HA; and a superficial layer composed of type I and type II collagen (porcine source) and hyaluronic acid (HyA), were implanted into critical size (3 × 5 mm) osteochondral defects created in the medial femoral condyle of the knee joint of New Zealand white rabbits and compared to an empty control group. Repair was assessed macroscopically, histologically and using micro-CT analysis at 12 weeks post implantation. RESULTS: Analysis of repair tissue demonstrated an enhanced macroscopic appearance in the multi-layer scaffold group compared to the empty group. In addition, diffuse host cellular infiltration in the scaffold group resulted in tissue regeneration with a zonal organisation, with repair of the subchondral bone, formation of an overlying cartilaginous layer and evidence of an intermediate tidemark. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the potential of this biomimetic multi-layered scaffold to support and guide the host reparative response in the treatment of osteochondral defects. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Osteochondral defects, involving cartilage and the underlying subchondral bone, frequently occur in young active patients due to disease or injury. While some treatment options are available, success is limited and patients often eventually require joint replacement. To address this clinical need, a multi-layer collagen-based osteochondral defect repair scaffold designed to direct host-stem cell mediated tissue formation within each region, has been developed in our group. The present study investigates the in vivo response to this scaffold in a critical-sized defect in a rabbit knee. Results shows the scaffolds ability to guide the host reparative response leading to tissue regeneration with a zonal organisation, repair of the subchondral bone, formation of an overlying cartilaginous layer and evidence of an intermediate tidemark.

Platelet-rich plasma releasate differently stimulates cellular commitment toward the chondrogenic lineage according to concentration.

Platelet-rich plasma has been used to treat articular cartilage defects, with the expectations of anabolic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, its role on cellular chondrogenic or fibrogenic commitment is still a controversy. Herein, the role of platelet-rich plasma releasate, the product obtained following platelet-rich plasma activation, on cellular commitment toward the chondrogenic lineage was evaluated in vitro. Human nasoseptal chondrogenic cells and human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells were used as cell types already committed to the chondrogenic lineage and undifferentiated cells, respectively, as different concentrations of platelet-rich plasma releasate were tested in comparison to commonly used fetal bovine serum. Low concentration of platelet-rich plasma releasate (2.5%) presented similar effects on cellular growth compared to 10% fetal bovine serum, for both cell types. In a three-dimensional culture system, platelet-rich plasma releasate alone did not induce full nasoseptal chondrogenic cells cartilage-like pellet formation. Nonetheless, platelet-rich plasma releasate played a significant role on cell commitment as high-passage nasoseptal chondrogenic cells only originated cartilage-like pellets when expanded in the presence of platelet-rich plasma releasate rather than fetal bovine serum. Histological analyses and measurements of pellet area demonstrated that even low concentrations of platelet-rich plasma releasate were enough to prevent nasoseptal chondrogenic cells from losing their chondrogenic potential due to in vitro expansion thereby promoting their recommitment. Low concentration of platelet-rich plasma releasate supplemented in chondrogenic medium also increased the chondrogenic potential of mesenchymal stromal cells seeded on collagen-hyaluronic acid scaffolds, as observed by an increase in chondrogenic-related gene expression, sulfated glycosaminoglycan production, and compressive modulus following in vitro culture. On the contrary, higher concentration of platelet-rich plasma releasate (10%) hampered some of these features. In conclusion, platelet-rich plasma releasate was able to prevent cellular chondrogenic capacity loss, inducing regain of their phenotype, and modulate cell commitment. Our data support the hypothesis of platelet-rich plasma chondrogenic potential, allowing fetal bovine serum substitution for platelet-rich plasma releasate at specific concentrations in culture medium when chondrogenic commitment is desired on specific cell types and moments of culture.

Incorporation of fibrin into a collagen-glycosaminoglycan matrix results in a scaffold with improved mechanical properties and enhanced capacity to resist cell-mediated contraction.

Fibrin has many uses as a tissue engineering scaffold, however many in vivo studies have shown a reduction in function resulting from the susceptibility of fibrin to cell-mediated contraction. The overall aim of the present study was to develop and characterise a reinforced natural scaffold using fibrin, collagen and glycosaminoglycan (FCG), and to examine the cell-mediated contraction of this scaffold in comparison to fibrin gels. Through the use of an injection loading technique, a homogenous FCG scaffold was developed. Mechanical testing showed a sixfold increase in compressive modulus and a thirtyfold increase in tensile modulus of fibrin when reinforced with a collagen-glycosaminoglycan backbone structure. Human vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) were successfully incorporated into the FCG scaffold and demonstrated excellent viability over 7 days, while proliferation of these cells also increased significantly. VSMCs were seeded into both FCG and fibrin-only gels at the same seeding density for 7 days and while FCG scaffolds did not demonstrate a reduction in size, fibrin-only gels contracted to 10% of their original diameter. The FCG scaffold, which is composed of natural biomaterials, shows potential for use in applications where dimensional stability is crucial to the functionality of the tissue. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Fibrin is a versatile scaffold for tissue engineering applications, but its weak mechanical properties leave it susceptible to cell-mediated contraction, meaning the dimensions of the fibrin construct will change over time. We have reinforced fibrin with a collagen glycosaminoglycan matrix and characterised the mechanical properties and bioactivity of the reinforced fibrin (FCG). This is the first scaffold manufactured from all naturally derived materials that resists cell-mediated contraction. In fact, over 7 days, the FCG scaffold fully resisted cell-mediated contraction of vascular smooth muscle cells. This FCG scaffold has many potential applications where natural scaffold materials can encourage regeneration.