Pracownicy

Streszczenie:
The cartilage tissue is neither supplied with blood nor innervated, so it cannot heal by itself. Thus, its reconstruction is highly challenging and requires external support. Cartilage diseases are becoming more common due to the aging population and obesity. Among young people, it is usually a post-traumatic complication. Slight cartilage damage leads to the spontaneous formation of fibrous tissue, not resistant to abrasion and stress, resulting in cartilage degradation and the progression of the disease. For these reasons, cartilage regeneration requires further research, including use of new type of biomaterials for scaffolds. This paper shows cartilage characteristics within its most frequent problems and treatment strategies, including a promising method that combines scaffolds and human cells. Structure and material requirements, manufacturing methods, and commercially available scaffolds were described. Also, the comparison of poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and polyethersulfone (PES) 3D membranes obtained by a phase inversion method using nonwovens as a pore-forming additives were reported. The scaffolds' structure and the growth ability of human chondrocytes were compared. Scaffolds' structure, cells morphology, and protein presence in the membranes were examined with a scanning electron microscope. The metabolic activity of cells was tested with the MTT assay. The structure of the scaffolds and the growth capacity of human chondrocytes were compared. Obtained results showed higher cell activity and protein content for PES scaffolds than for PLLA. The PES membrane had better mechanical properties (e.g. ripping), greater chondrocytes proliferation, and thus a better secretion of proteins which build up the cartilage structure.

Słowa kluczowe:
3D-scaffolds, membrane structure, polyethersulfone, poly(L-lactide), chondrocyte culture, cartilage regeneration

Streszczenie:
Biodegradability or materials physicochemical stability are the key biomaterials selection parameters for various medical and tissue engineering applications. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) is a natural copolymer known from its biocompatibility with great support for cells growth and attachment on films and fibers. In our studies, the physicochemical properties of electrospun PHBV fibers and spin-coated films aged for 1, 4 and 8 weeks were analyzed using bulk (FTIR) and surface chemistry (XPS) methods and water contact angle. Further, we characterized the zeta potential changes after aging, by means of electrokinetic measurements, and cell responses to it, using NIH 3T3 murine fibroblasts. Colorimetric MTS cell viability test allowed the assessment of cell proliferation. Additionally, the morphology of fibroblasts and biointerfaces were studied by confocal laser and electron scanning microscopy (CLSM and SEM). These studies indicated that the activity, attachment and proliferation of fibroblasts is independent of aging of PHBV fibers and films. PHBV films show very stable zeta potential over 8 weeks of aging, opposite to PHBV fibers. Importantly, the flat film of PHBV increases cell proliferation, while the fibrous meshes are an excellent support for their stretching. The results of the study revealed clear advantages of PHBV films and fibrous meshes in cell-material interaction.

Słowa kluczowe:
cell morphology, fibroblast, electrospun fibers, PHBV, Zeta potential