Comparison of the Production of Extracellular Matrix in Nucleus Pulposus of Intervertebral Disc in Alginate and Chitosan-Gelatin Scaffolds

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors

1 PhD Student, Department of Tissue Engineering, School of New Technologies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 Student of Medicine, School of Medicine AND Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

4 PhD Student, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine AND Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

5 PhD Student, Department of Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

Background: Low back pain is an important disorder linked with degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc (IVD). Degradation of IVD is caused by decreased number of cells, reduced production and degradation of extracellular matrix of IVD tissue especially in nucleus pulposus (NP). Natural and synthetic scaffolds are used for regeneration of IVD in tissue engineering.  Aggrecan is an important proteoglycan in NP tissue of IVD. This study aimed to levels of aggrecan secreted by human NP cells of IVD in alginate and chitosan-gelatin scaffolds.Methods: Collagenase enzymatic hydrolysis was used to extract NP cells from NP tissue of patients with IVD hernia in Alzahra Hospital (Isfahan, Iran). Chitosan gel was mixed with gelatin gel and freeze dried to make the scaffold. An alginate scaffold was also prepared. Cellular suspension containing the extracted NP cells was transferred to each scaffold and cultured for 14 days. The levels of secreted aggrecan were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A light microscope was used to assert the morphology of NP cells.Findings: Secretion of aggrecan had significant increases during the third to the 14th day. The increments were more considerable in alginate scaffolds. There were significant differences in secreted aggrecan between alginate and chitosan scaffolds on the seventh and 14th days. However, no such a significant difference was observed on the third day. The two scaffolds were significantly different in terms of the secretion of extracellular matrix by NP.Conclusion: Compared to the chitosan-gelatin scaffold, the alginate scaffold provided better conditions for aggrecan secretion in NP cells in vitro. The use of thus scaffold is suggested to culture NP cell in vivo.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 31, Issue 225 - Serial Number 225
January and February 2013
Pages 82-91

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History

  • Receive Date: 19 September 2012
  • Revise Date:
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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