Biocompatibility of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) multichannel three-dimensional scaffold with schwann cells

Abstract

Objective After seeding schwann cells (SCs) into poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) multichannel scaffolds, the biocompatibility between SCs and the scaffold was evaluated by adhesion, proliferation and survival of SCs. Methods After seeding into PLGA scaffolds, SCs were cultured for 7 days and 14 days respectively. Then, Viability/Cytotoxicity Assay Kits were used to evaluate the activity of SCs. The living cells were dyed green by Calcein-AM and dead cells were dyed red by EthD-Ⅲ. Cell death rate was calculated by measuring the percentage of EthD-1 positive cells. At least 5 areas of each slice were photographed. Cellular morphological changes were observed under the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy. In addition, immumofluorescence method was used to estimate the migration of SCs in the scaffold. Results Under an inverted microscope, SCs displayed satisfactory characteristics of adhesion and proliferation on the 7th day and reached the peak on the 14th day. Cell viability was detected by Viability/Cytotoxicity Assay Kits at 7th day, and the cell death rate in the stent was (1.39±0.46)%. At 14th day, the cell death rate was (1.43±0.51)%. Immumofluorescence method and SEM also showed that SCs could migrate into the gradient porous structure of the scaffold. Conclusion SCs have a good biocompatibility with PLGA multichannel scaffolds. Key words: Spinal cord injury; Multichannel scaffold; Schwann cells; Biocompatibility