Abstract
The use of growth factors in tissue engineering offers an added benefit to cartilage regeneration. Growth factors, such as insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), increase cell proliferation and can therefore decrease the time it takes for cartilage tissue to regrow. In this study, IGF-I was released from poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffolds that were designed to have a decreased burst release often associated with tissue engineering scaffolds. The scaffolds were fabricated from IGF-I-loaded PLGA microspheres prepared by a double emulsion (W1/O/W2) technique. The microspheres were then compressed, sintered at 49 °C and salt leached. The bioactivity of soluble IGF-I was verified after being heat treated at 37, 43, 45, 49 and 60°C. Additionally, the bioactivity of IGF-I was confirmed after being released from the sintered scaffolds. The triphasic release lasted 120 days resulting in 20%, 55% and 25% of the IGF-I being released during days 1-3, 4-58 and 59-120, respectively. Seeding bone marrow cells directly onto the IGF-I-loaded scaffolds showed an increase in cell proliferation, based on DNA content, leading to increased glycosaminoglycan production. The present results demonstrated that IGF-I remains active after being incorporated into heat-treated scaffolds, further enhancing tissue regeneration possibilities.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 025015 |
Journal | Biomedical Materials (Bristol) |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 2014 |
Keywords
- bioactivity
- cartilage
- insulin-like growth factor I
- poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)
- scaffolds
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Bioengineering
- Biomaterials
- Biomedical Engineering