Combination of mesenchymal stem cell sheet with poly-caprolactone nanofibrous mat and Gelfoam increased osteogenesis capacity in rat calvarial defect.

INTRODUCTION

To date, different strategies have been used for co-transplantation of cell-loaded biomaterials for bone tissue regeneration. This study aimed to investigate the osteogenic properties of adipose-derived-mesenchymal stem cell (AD-MSC) sheets combined with nanofibrous poly-caprolactone (PCL) mat and Gelfoam in rats with calvarial bone defect.

METHODS

Calvarial critical-size defects were induced in male rats. Animals were classified into Control, Gelfoam, Gelfoam/PCL nanofiber, Gelfoam/AD-MSC sheet, and Gelfoam/PCL nanofiber/AD-MSC sheet groups. After 3 months, rats were sacrificed and the regeneration rate was evaluated.

RESULTS

Almost all groups showed bone regeneration properties, but the volume of newly formed bone was higher in groups that received Gelfoam/AD-MSC and Gelfoam/PCL nanofiber/AD-MSC sheets (< 0.05). The application of Gelfoam/PCL nanofiber/AD-MSC sheets not only increased bone thickness, bone volume/total bone volume (BV/TV) ratio, strong Hounsfield Unit (HU), but also led to the formation of ossified connective tissue with wrinkled patterns.

CONCLUSION

The current study indicated that the Gelfoam/PCL nanofiber/AD-MSC sheet provides a suitable platform for effective osteogenesis in calvarial bone defects.