Alginate-chitosan PEC scaffolds: A useful tool for soft tissues cell therapy

Abstract

In this study we evaluate macroporous scaffolds made of alginate-chitosan polyelectrolyte complexes (PEC) as tools to optimire the results of soft tissues oell therapy. Cell therapy using mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) bas become attractive for tissue repair and regeneration in a number of acute and chronic injuries. Unfortunately their low retention and/or survival after injection limit their beneficial effects. A biomaterial-assisted im plantation, providi ng oells a thr�mensional (3D) microenvironment is a promising strategy. To this purpose, we designed a family of PEC scaffolds, and studied if they could meet the requirement of such application. Xray tomography showed that ail PEC scaffolds present an interconnected macroporosity, and both rheology and tensile measurements reveal optimized mechanical properties (higher storage moduli and Young moduli) compared to alginate referenoe scaffolds. In vitro assays demonstrated their ability to allow MSC retention (higher than 90%) , lo ng-term viability and RiF2 secretion. Then, we used a skeletal muscle implantation mode! to assess the biological response to scaffolds graft, and showed that they support in vivo vascular formation within the implant-derived tissue. The combination of alginate/chitosan PEC scaffolds architecture and angio genic potential make them appear as interesti ng tools to optimize MSC therapy results in soft tissues.

Perspective on the development of a bioengineered patch to treat heart failure: rationale and proposed design of phase I clinical trial

“…They can also be used to enhance interactions between therapeutic and host tissues. While PE complexes have been described in cardiac therapeutic applications, it is unknown if they provide extensive benefit over other approaches that are simpler to manufacture, especially when the scale is important [21][22][23] . We were successful in creating similar architecture with our TE scaffold.…”

Naturally Occurring Polyelectrolytes and Their Use for the Development of Complex-Based Mucoadhesive Drug Delivery Systems: An Overview

“…A similar approach was proposed by Ibrahim et al [ 128 ], who prepared erodible sponges with xanthan gum/chitosan, polycarbophil/chitosan and Carbopol ® /chitosan PECs loaded with rosuvastatin, which showed an increase in bone regeneration capacity in mice. Scaffolds can also be used as tools for soft tissue cell therapy, as proposed by Bushkalova et al [ 129 ], who prepared macroporous scaffolds containing chitosan/alginate PECs and demonstrated that their structure and angiogenic potential made them interesting candidates to improve the results of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in soft tissue engineering. Lastly, PECs are also found in the literature as agents for wound dressing.…”

Alginate Formulations: Current Developments in the Race for Hydrogel-Based Cardiac Regeneration

“…cells promoted an increase of vascular density constituted of both large-and micro-size vascular structures with normal ECs alignment and epithelialization in the periphery. Bushkalova et al (2019), instead, developed macroporous scaffolds made of alginate-chitosan polyelectrolyte complexes to deliver MSCs in soft tissues. This strategy exploits the association of alginate with a cationic polymer, chitosan, to form a polyelectrolyte complex of opposite charge that can be subsequently freezedried and crosslinked; in this way, chemically unaltered polymers preserve their initial biocompatibility while their rheological properties improve and adapt to the mechanical resistance of soft tissues.…”