Repair of rabbit segmental radial defect by using collagen I gel to suspend autologous adipose-derived stem cells into porous PLGA-β-TCP scaffold

Abstract

Objective To repair segmental radial defect by using collagen I gel to suspend rabbit adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) into a porous PLGA-β-TCP scaffold (ASCs-COL/PLGA-β-TCP).Methods 1.5 cm segmental radial defects were created bilaterally in 30 rabbits. After being cultured in vitro for 2 weeks under osteogenic medium, ASCs-COL/PLGA-3-TCP composite ( group A), the single combination of ASCs and PLGA-3-TCP (ASCs/PLGA--TCP) (group B) , combination of acellular collagen I gel and PLGA-3-TCP (COL/PLGA-β-TCP) (group C), and PLGA-β-TCP scaffold (group D) were transplanted inot the untreated radial defect as blank control group (group E). Eight, 16, 24 weeks after implantation, 10 animals were sacrificed and the constructs were harvested and analyzed. ResultsIn group A, bone integrity was almost finished 8 weeks postoperation, bone integrity was reconstructed but bone marrow was not recanalized 16 weeks postoperation, bone integrity was completed and bone marrow was recanalized 8 weeks later. Compared with group A, no sign of bone formation was observed in groups B, C, D during the whole period ( P ＜ 0. 05, n =4). Histomorphometric analyses indicated that the new bone forming area as well as scaffold degradation rate in group A were significantly increased as compared with groups B, C and D (P ＜ 0. 05, n =4). Conclusion The ASCs-COL/PLGA-β-TCP composite exhibits a favorable osteogenesis, biocompatibility and biodegradability during the repair of autologous segmental radial defect model and therefore cast a new light on the fabrication of cell-based bone tissue engineering constructs. Key words: Adipose-derived stem cells; Collagen Ⅰ ; Bone tissue engineering; Segmental radial defect