Abstract
BackgroundBarrier materials as cellulose membranes are used for guided tissue repair. However, it is essential that the surrounding tissues accept the device. The present study histologically evaluated tissue reaction to a microbial cellulose membrane after subcutaneous implantation in mice. Furthermore, the interaction between mesenchymal stem cells and the biomaterial was studied in vitro to evaluate its ability to act as cellular scaffold for tissue engineering.MethodsTwenty-five Swiss Albino mice were used. A 10 × 10 mm cellulose membrane obtained through biosynthesis using Acetobacter xylinum bacteria was implanted into the lumbar subcutaneous tissue of each mouse. The mice were euthanatized at seven, 15, 30, 60, and 90 days, and the membrane and surrounding tissues were collected and examined by histology.ResultsA mild inflammatory response without foreign body reaction was observed until 30 days post-surgery around the implanted membrane. Polarized microscopy revealed that the membrane remained intact at all evaluation points. Scanning electron microscopy of the cellulose membrane surface showed absence of pores. The in vitro evaluation of the interaction between cells and biomaterial was performed through viability staining analysis of the cells over the biomaterial, which showed that 95% of the mesenchymal stem cells aggregating to the cellulose membrane were alive and that 5% were necrotic. Scanning electron microscopy showed mesenchymal stem cells with normal morphology and attached to the cellulose membrane surface.ConclusionThe microbial cellulose membrane evaluated was found to be nonresorbable, induced a mild inflammatory response and may prove useful as a scaffold for mesenchymal stem cells.
Highlights
Barrier materials as cellulose membranes are used for guided tissue repair
The viability staining analysis of the cells over the biomaterial showed that 95% of the mesenchymal stem cells aggregating to the cellulose membrane were alive while 5% were necrotic
Descriptive analysis of the histological sections by light microscopy on day seven post surgery demonstrated an intact membrane surrounded by a mild inflammatory infiltrate of mainly polymorphonuclear cells and lymphocytes (Fig. 3a)
Summary
Barrier materials as cellulose membranes are used for guided tissue repair. The present study histologically evaluated tissue reaction to a microbial cellulose membrane after subcutaneous implantation in mice. Membranes constructed of synthetic or semisynthetic materials (polytetrafluoroethylene, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, polylactic acid, copolymer of polylactic acid and polyglycolic acid, cellulose acetate, and others) or of natural origin (type I bovine collagen, porcine type I collagen, bovine type I atecollagen, and others) have been developed and tested, with some of them showing promising results as barrier material [3,4,5,6,7]. The same biological concept has been used in the treatment of segmental defects in long bones [3,9,10]. Both resorbable and nonresorbable membranes have been developed, each of which with advantages and disadvantages. The resorbable membranes should preferably be resorbed in a time period that is predictable and compatible with the bone regeneration and the degradation should not interfere with bone regeneration [12]
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