Objective To fabricate a nanohydroxyapatite-chitosan(nano-HA-CS) scaffold with high porosity by a simple and effective technique and to evaluate the physical and chemical properties and the cytocompatibility of the composite scaffold. Methods The threedimensional nano-HA-CS scaffolds with high porosity were prepared by the in situ hybridization-freeze-drying method. The microscopic morphology and components of the composite scaffolds were analyzed by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the transmission electron microscopy（TEM）, the X-ray diffraction（XRD）examination, and the Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy（FTIR）. The calvarial osteoblasts were isolated from the neonatal Wistar rats. The serial subcultured cells (3rd passage) were respectively seeded onto the nanoHACS scaffold and the CS scaffold, and then were cocultured for 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours. At each time point,four specimens from each matrix were taken to determine the celladhesion rate. The cell morphology was observed by the histological staining and SEM. Results The macroporous nanoHACS scaffolds had a feature of high porosity with a pore diameter from 100 to 500 μm (mostly 400500 μm). The scaffolds had a high interval porosity; however, the interval porosity was obviously decreased and the scaffold density was increased with an increase in the contents of CS and HA. The SEM and TEM results showed that the nanosized HA was synthesized and was distributed on the pore walls homogeneously and continuously. The XRD and FTIR results showed that the HA crystals were carbonatesubstituded and not wellcrystallized. The cytocompatibility test showed that the seeded osteoblasts could adhere the scaffolds, proliferating and producing the extracellular matrix on the scaffolds. The adherence rate for the nanoHACS scaffolds was obviously higher than that for the pure CS scaffolds. Conclusion The nano-HA-CS scaffolds fabricated by the in situ hybridization-freeze-drying method have a good physical and chemical properties and a good cytocompatibility; therefore, this kind of scaffolds may be successfully used in the bone tissue engineering.
Objective To study the effect of transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1) and insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1) during the induction course from marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to chondrocytes and to observe the effect of cell density on cell induction. Methods Differential time adherent methods were used to purify MSCs obtained from the bone marrow of Kunming mice. MSCs were cultured under special conditionsto induce themto differentiate into chondrocytes. Toluidine blue staining and immunofluoresence were used to identify those induced chondrocytes.TGF-β1 and IGF-1 were used individually or in combination under two different culture patterns: pellet culture and monolayer culture. According to different growth factors, experiment included 3 experimental groups(TGF-β1+IGF-1 group,10 ng/mland 50 ng/ml respectively;TGF-β1 group, 10 ng/ml; and IGF-1 group, 50 ng/ml) and control group(without growth factor). In TGF-β1+IGF-1 group, toluidine blue staining and immunofluoresence staining were carried out at 14 days and 21 days. The effect ofTGF-β1 and IGF-1 on the expression of collagen Ⅱgene was detected by RT-PCR at 7, 14 and 21 days of induction; the expressionsof collagen Ⅱ were compared between two culture patterns. Results In TGF-β1+IGF-1 group, the histological examination and immunofluoresence showed that those inducted chondyocytes could express collagen Ⅱ at 14 days. The gel electrophoresis results showed that the fragment of collagen Ⅱ gene was seen in TGF-β1+IGF-1 group andTGF-β1 group and that no fragment ofcollagen Ⅱ gene was seen in IGF-1 group and control group. The expression of collagen Ⅱ gene was ber in TGF-β1+ IGF-1 group than inTGF-β1 group, showing significant difference(Plt;0.05). Cells expressed more collagen Ⅱ under pellet culture than under monolayer culture. Conclusion IGF-1 could enhance the effect ofTGF-β1 during the induction course from MSCs to chondrocytes. A certain extent of high cell density is more effective for MSCs to differentiate into chondrocytes.