The in vivo biocompatibility of novel tannic acid-collagen type I injectable bead scaffold material for breast reconstruction post-lumpectomy

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer in women worldwide. Surgical removal of the breast tumor and subsequent reconstructive surgery can result in complications such as infection or necrosis of transplanted adipose tissue. Breast cancer recurrence is also a serious concern for patients. Our group has developed a tannic acid/collagen bead material that has the potential to be used as an injectable adipose tissue regenerative device to replace lipofilling. Tannic acid is a polyphenol with anticancer and antibiotic properties. The objective of this study was to establish the biocompatibility of an injectable tannic acid/collagen bead implant material in an in vivo rat model. The injection of the tannic acid-collagen type I bead device was minimally invasive. No symptoms of infection, tissue necrosis, or widespread chronic inflammation were observed. After 12 weeks, implants showed incorporation into native tissue with no fibrous encapsulation. Despite the presence of inflammatory cells in the remaining beads, fat tissue growth and collagen redistribution were observed within the beads over 12 weeks, showing incorporation within native subcutaneous tissue and indicating good biocompatibility and bioactivity of the implant. Our results demonstrate that the tannic acid/collagen bead scaffold has good biocompatibility and works as an adipocyte tissue regeneration and reconstructive device.

Collagen-Based Materials Modified by Phenolic Acids—A Review

“…After injection, no symptoms of reactions from the immunological system were noticed. After 3 months, the implant showed incorporation into the native tissue, and fat cell growth was observed [108]. It was demonstrated that collagen-tannic acid complexes have good biocompatibility and bioactivity as they stimulate cell proliferation [109].…”

Characterization of collagen type I/tannic acid beads as a cell scaffold

“…17,22,23,33,34 Our laboratory has developed a dual tissue regenerative and breast cancer recurrence preventative bead material by incorporating TA into a porous collagen bead scaffold seeded with patient derived preadipocytes. 17,19,23 The goal of these collagen/TA beads are to act as a minimally invasive injectable implant for breast reconstruction post lumpectomy. The cells and porous collagen form the foundation to regenerate healthy fatty breast tissue within surgical voids.…”

“…17,22,23,27 Previous research has established the biocompatibility of beads in vivo and its efficacy in inducing selective apoptosis in breast cancer cell lines. 17,19,23 This research seeks to reliably control the bead diameter and the quantity of donor cells seeded onto the beads, which are both essential for bead material performance in vivo. As a tissue regenerative scaffold, collagen/TA beads seeded with actively proliferating cells are key to generating healthy loose connective tissue.…”

“…42–44 Once implanted, the bead diameter also influences perfusion of nutrients and cellular invasion throughout the entire implant, affecting the tissue regenerative capacity of the beads. 19 In this study, how bead diameter can be controlled via fabricator voltage level, changes in osmolality, TA concentrations, and degree of cell attachment was assessed. Additionally, the effect of TA concentration and diameter on cell attachment was analyzed.…”

“…18 In our previous study, a collagen bead implant scaffold containing TA and seeded with preadipocytes was injected into athymic rats to determine biocompatibility of the material. 19 The scaffold demonstrated good biocompatibility and promoted tissue regeneration without signs of toxicity, infection or necrosis. However, further work was necessary to understand the variables involved in controlling bead size and cell attachment in order to improve the overall tissue regenerative potential of the collagen/TA beads.…”