BACKGROUND: Pigs are frequently used as animal models in experimental medicine. To identify processes of vascular development or regression, vascular elements must be recognised and quantified in a three-dimensional (3D) arrangement. Vascular corrosion casts enable the creation of 3D replicas of vascular trees. The aim of our study was to identify suitable casting media and optimise the protocol for porcine liver vascular corrosion casting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mercox II (Ladd Research, Williston, Vermont, USA) and Biodur E20 Plus (Biodur Products, Heidelberg, Germany) were tested in 4 porcine livers. The resins (volume approximately 700 mL) were injected via the portal vein. Corrosion casts were examined by macro-computed tomography, micro-computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: For hepatectomies, the operating protocol was optimised to avoid gas or blood clot embolisation. We present a protocol for porcine liver vascular bed casting based on corrosion specimens prepared using Biodur E20 epoxy resin. CONCLUSIONS: Only Biodur E20Plus appeared to be suitable for high-volume vascular corrosion casting due to its optimal permeability, sufficient processing time and minimum fragility. Biodur E20 Plus is slightly elastic, radio-opaque and alcohol-resistant. These properties make this acrylic resin suitable for not only vascular research but also teaching purposes.
OBJECTIVES: We prepared 3D poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibre scaffolds and tested their use for seeding, proliferation, differentiation and migration of mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3D nanofibres were prepared using a special collector for common electrospinning; simultaneously, a 2D PCL nanofibre layer was prepared using a classic plain collector. Both scaffolds were seeded with MSCs and biologically tested. MSC adhesion, migration, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation were investigated. RESULTS: The 3D PCL scaffold was characterized by having better biomechanical properties, namely greater elasticity and resistance against stress and strain, thus this scaffold will be able to find broad applications in tissue engineering. Clearly, while nanofibre layers of the 2D scaffold prevented MSCs from migrating through the conformation, cells infiltrated freely through the 3D scaffold. MSC adhesion to the 3D nanofibre PCL layer was also statistically more common than to the 2D scaffold (P < 0.05), and proliferation and viability of MSCs 2 or 3 weeks post-seeding, were also greater on the 3D scaffold. In addition, the 3D PCL scaffold was also characterized by displaying enhanced MSC osteogenic differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: We draw the conclusion that all positive effects observed using the 3D PCL nanofibre scaffold are related to the larger fibre surface area available to the cells. Thus, the proposed 3D structure of the nanofibre layer will find a wide array of applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
- MeSH
- Cell Differentiation * MeSH
- Cell Culture Techniques instrumentation methods MeSH
- Cells, Cultured MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells cytology metabolism MeSH
- Nanofibers chemistry ultrastructure MeSH
- Osteogenesis MeSH
- Osteocalcin metabolism MeSH
- Cell Movement MeSH
- Polyesters chemistry MeSH
- Surface Properties MeSH
- Cell Proliferation MeSH
- Elasticity MeSH
- Regenerative Medicine MeSH
- Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein metabolism MeSH
- Tissue Engineering MeSH
- Tissue Scaffolds * MeSH
- Cell Survival MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- MeSH
- Exercise * physiology psychology MeSH
- Mental Health MeSH
- Glaucoma * prevention & control rehabilitation therapy MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Intraocular Pressure physiology MeSH
- Motor Activity * physiology MeSH
- Statistics as Topic MeSH
- Case-Control Studies MeSH
- Tonometry, Ocular methods instrumentation utilization MeSH
- Health Status MeSH
- Check Tag
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Female MeSH
