Bioengineering a tendon-like substitute: adult stem cell behavior in aligned fibrous scaffolds and stimulating culturing environments

摘要

The development of TE constructs based on biomimetic scaffold design and stem cells explores a promising system for regeneration with potential for tendon application. The stimulation into tenogenic lineage was demonstrated by the elongated and aligned cell morphology, the presence of a tenascin-C rich ECM and the expression of gene markers, typically associated to tendon tissues. The results indicate that the differentiation was regulated by the fiber arrangement and also by the mechanical stimulus provided by the flow perfusion bioreactor. Aligned SPCL-based scaffolds promoted the colonization and tenogenic differentiation of hASCs cultured in basal medium in static and dynamic conditions. Also, flow perfused constructs showed a higher expression of tendon related genes, namely collagen I, III and tenascin-C. Thus, scaffolds architecture and mechanical stimulation may be determinant at tendon regeneration approaches in order to closely match the properties and functionality of native tendons. Longer culture periods will be considered in future experiments in order to better understand flow perfusion stimulus on hASCs.