Journal Article

Biocompatibility of a Marine Collagen-Based Scaffold In Vitro and In Vivo

Benayahu, Yehuda, Pomeraniec, Leslie, Benayahu, Dafna, Shemesh, Shai, Heller, Snir, Rosenthal, Yoav, Rath-Wolfson, Lea

2020

Overview

Scaffold material is essential in providing mechanical support to tissue, allowing stem cells to improve their function in the healing and repair of trauma sites and tissue regeneration. The scaffold aids cell organization in the damaged tissue. It serves and allows bio mimicking the mechanical and biological properties of the target tissue and facilitates cell proliferation and differentiation at the regeneration site. In this study, the developed and assayed bio-composite made of unique collagen fibers and alginate hydrogel supports the function of cells around the implanted material. We used an in vivo rat model to study the scaffold effects when transplanted subcutaneously and as an augment for tendon repair. Animals’ well-being was measured by their weight and daily activity post scaffold transplantation during their recovery. At the end of the experiment, the bio-composite was histologically examined, and the surrounding tissues around the implant were evaluated for inflammation reaction and scarring tissue. In the histology, the formation of granulation tissue and fibroblasts that were part of the inclusion process of the implanted material were noted. At the transplanted sites, inflammatory cells, such as plasma cells, macrophages, and giant cells, were also observed as expected at this time point post transplantation. This study demonstrated not only the collagen-alginate device biocompatibility, with no cytotoxic effects on the analyzed rats, but also that the 3D structure enables cell migration and new blood vessel formation needed for tissue repair. Overall, the results of the current study proved for the first time that the implantable scaffold for long-term confirms the well-being of these rats and is correspondence to biocompatibility ISO standards and can be further developed for medical devices application.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: Alginates / Alginates - chemistry / Alginic acid / animal models / Animals / Anthozoa - chemistry / Biocompatibility / Biocompatible Materials - toxicity / biocomposites / Biological properties / biomedical device / blood plasma / Blood vessels / Cell differentiation / Cell growth / cell movement / Cell proliferation / Collagen / collagen fibers / Cytotoxicity / Disease Models, Animal / Extracellular matrix / Fibrillar Collagens - chemistry / Fibrillar Collagens - isolation & purification / Fibrillar Collagens - toxicity / Fibroblasts / Foreign-Body Reaction - etiology / Foreign-Body Reaction - pathology / Giant cells / Granulation / granulation tissue / Histology / Hydrogels / Implants, Experimental - adverse effects / In vivo methods and tests / Inflammation / Leukocyte migration / Macrophages / Male / Mechanical properties / Medical equipment / Mimicry / Orthopedic Procedures - adverse effects / Orthopedic Procedures - instrumentation / Plasma cells / Proliferation / Prosthesis Design / rats / Rats, Wistar / Regeneration / Regeneration (biological) / Repair / Rotator cuff / Rotator Cuff - pathology / Rotator Cuff - surgery / Rotator Cuff Injuries - pathology / Rotator Cuff Injuries - surgery / scaffold / Scaffolds / Scars / Seaweed meal / Signs / Stem cell transplantation / Stem cells / Surgical implants / Time Factors / Tissue engineering / tissue repair / Tissue Scaffolds - adverse effects / Tissues / Transplantation / Transplants & implants / Trauma / Well being / Wound Healing