Placenta mesenchymal stem cells on a chorion scaffold as a potential osteogenic graft for peripartal bone regeneration

Abstract

1 Objective To manufacture a three dimensional, biodegradable and stem cell-loaded composite graft from placental components for site-specific perinatal repair of bone defects in newborns suffering from genetic skeletal dysplasias. 2 Study Design We manufactured a scaffold from human chorion membrane by removing cellular components from the chorionic reticular layer enzymatically and mechanically. That acellular scaffold served as a support material for placental mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) outgrowth in that we cultured human MSCs derived from either first trimester chorionic villi or term chorion membrane on it. We recently showed that these cell types possess a sound osteogenic differentiation potential. Differentiation to the osteogenic lineage was induced. Construct assembly and bone formation were investigated by light-, scanning- and transmission electron microscopy, antibody staining and bone specific assays. 3 Results We managed to free the extracellular matrix of chorionic reticular layer from cells and obtained a bare three dimensional fibrous network. Inoculated MSCs did not only anchor on that scaffold but also invaded it to build a three dimensional structure. Under specific culture conditions these cell-scaffold-constructs differentiated osteogenically. 4 Conclusion The composite graft we obtained might allow a direct supply of autologous or allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells to injured sites and might be a prospective novel treatment option of bony lesions of fetuses and newborns affected with genetic skeletal dysplasias.