Abstract
Current surgical reconstruction for soft tissue replacement involves lipotransfer to restore soft tissue replacements but is limited by survival and longevity of the fat tissue. Alternative approaches to overcome these limitations include using biodegradable scaffolds with stem cells with growth factors to generate soft tissue. Adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) offer great potential to differentiate into adipose, and can be delivered using biodegradable scaffolds. However, the optimal scaffold to maximise this approach is unknown. This study investigates the biocompatibility of nanocomposite scaffolds (POSS-PCL) to deliver ADSCs with and without the addition of growth factors using platelet rich plasma (PRP) in vivo. Rat ADSCs were isolated and then seeded on biodegradable scaffolds (POSS-PCL). In addition, donor rats were used to isolate PRP to modify the scaffolds. The implants were then subcutaneously implanted for 3-months to assess the effect of PRP and ADSC on POSS-PCL scaffolds biocompatibility. Histology after explanation was examined to assess tissue integration (H&E) and collagen production (Massons Trichome). Immunohistochemistry was used to assess angiogenesis (CD3, α-SMA), immune response (CD45, CD68) and adipose formation (PPAR-γ). At 3-months PRP-ADSC-POSS-PCL scaffolds demonstrated significantly increased tissue integration and angiogenesis compared to PRP, ADSC and unmodified scaffolds (p < 0.05). In addition, PRP-ADSC-POSS-PCL scaffolds showed similar levels of CD45 and CD68 staining compared to unmodified scaffolds. Furthermore, there was increased PPAR-γ staining demonstrated at 3-months with PRP-ADSC-POSS-PCL scaffolds (p < 0.05). POSS-PCL nanocomposite scaffolds provide an effective delivery system for ADSCs. PRP and ADSC work synergistically to enhance the biocompatibility of POSS-PCL scaffolds and provide a platform technology for soft tissue regeneration.
Highlights
Soft tissue replacement is required in numerous clinical scenarios including breast and facial reconstruction, augmentation or correction of congenital deformities or following cancer resection [1]
Tissue ingrowth was confirmed using Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining, which showed after 12 weeks, ingrowth was significantly greater in in the polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-PCL combined with Adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) and Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) experimental group compared to POSS-PCL with PRP, POSS-PCL with ADSC and control POSS-PCL groups (p < 0.05) (Fig. 1)
We investigated the impact of ADSC seeding on POSS-PCL scaffold integration, angiogenesis, and host inflammatory response in an in vivo rodent model
Summary
Soft tissue replacement is required in numerous clinical scenarios including breast and facial reconstruction, augmentation or correction of congenital deformities or following cancer resection [1]. Molecular Biology Reports (2020) 47:2005–2013 fat grafting, typically using the Coleman technique is the typical technique to apply fat grafts as a soft tissue filler [1]. This involves harvesting adipose tissue from the abdomen or thigh and transferring it to fill the volume soft tissue defect. The tissue engineering field has aimed to find alternative techniques to form adipose tissue for soft tissue replacement [1]. The implantation of a biodegradable scaffold with an appropriate stem cell, with or without the addition of growth factors is the most commonly investigated tissue engineering approach [1]
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