Serum albumin as a local therapeutic agent in cell therapy and tissue engineering

Abstract

Albumin is a major plasma protein that has become ubiquitous in regenerative medicine research. As such, many studies have examined its structure and advantageous properties. However, a systematic and comprehensive understanding of albumin's role, capabilities and therapeutic potential still eludes the field. In the present work, we review how albumin is applied in tissue engineering, including cell culture and storage, in vitro fertilization and transplantation. Furthermore, we discuss how albumin's physiological role extends beyond a carrier for metal ions, fatty acids, pharmacons and growth factors. Albumin acts as a bacteriostatic coating that simultaneously promotes attachment and proliferation of eukaryotic cells. These properties with the combination of free radical scavenging, neutrophil activation and as a buffer molecule already make the albumin protein beneficial in healing processes supporting functional tissue remodeling. Nevertheless, recent data revealed that albumin can be synthesized by osteoblasts and its local concentration is raised after bone trauma. Interestingly, by increasing the local albumin concentration in vivo, faster bone healing is achieved, possibly because albumin recruits endogenous stem cells and promotes the growth of new bone. These data also suggest an active role of albumin, even though a specific receptor has not yet been identified. Together, this discussion sheds light on why the extravascular use of the albumin molecule is in the scope of scientific investigations and why it should be considered as a local therapeutic agent in regenerative medicine. © 2016 BioFactors, 43(3):315-330, 2017.

Serum albumin‐coated bone allograft (BoneAlbumin) results in faster bone formation and mechanically stronger bone in aging rats

“…With this in mind, the authors showed that serum albumin‐coated bone allograft (BoneAlbumin) successfully supports bone regeneration in various experimental models. The idea behind the phenomenon is that locally increased albumin concentration induces endogenous progenitor recruitment, resulting in the presence of a higher cell number to support the tissue remodelling phase (Horvathy, Simon, et al, ). Evidence of stem cell activation was supported by a first‐in‐human investigation, in which large albumin‐coated structural allografts were used to support recovery after total joint revision arthroplasty, with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) analysis showing increased osteoblast activation even 1 year after operation (Klara, Csonge, Janositz, Csernatony, & Lacza, ).…”

“…BoneAlbumin was also shown to decrease donor site morbidity and enhance bone formation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with bone‐patellar tendon‐bone autografts (Schandl et al, ). Moreover, in a thorough review article, the albumin molecule was shown to have an important and potentially active but not yet completely understood role in bone regeneration (Horvathy, Simon, et al, ). Additionally, stem cell function was tested on various serum albumin‐coated surfaces.…”

Biological and Mechanical Properties of Platelet-Rich Fibrin Membranes after Thermal Manipulation and Preparation in a Single-Syringe Closed System

“…Thus, it is an advantageous preparation method to help in the application of an autologous biocompatible membrane for tissue regeneration. In the following experimental steps this membrane can be useful to start clinical studies to investigate the effect of frozen hypACT PRF membrane as gingival graft after bone replacing by albumin-coated bone granules in maxillofacial surgery [ 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 ], the material is also a promising candidate for clininal studies in orthopedics, namely in cartilage regeneration.…”

The Effects of Hyperacute Serum on the Elements of the Human Subchondral Bone Marrow Niche

“…However, it is unavoidable to supplement cell cultures with serum-specific growth factors, and other, still-unidentified factors of the serum as MSCs cannot survive in the absence of such components. Thus, human blood-derived additives like human serum albumin (HSA) [ 12 ] or platelet releasates such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are considered as efficient alternatives to replace FCS [ 13 , 14 ]. The scientific rationale behind platelet-rich products is that thrombocytes provide a diverse growth factor supply such as platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs), transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF β -1) or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), coagulation factors, serotonin, mitogens, and adhesion factors like fibronectin, fibrin, or vitronectin to support healing [ 15 ].…”