Comparison of PLGA/Fibrin and PLGA/Hyaluronic Acid Scaffolds for Chondrogenesis of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

Tissue engineering is a relatively novel field that has been intensely developing during recent years and has shown to be excessively promising when used for cartilage regeneration. Scaffolds represent important components for tissue engineering.

The Poly Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid (PLGA) impregnated with fibrin and hyaluronic acid (HA) produce hybrid scaffolds. human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) were seeded in scaffolds and cultured in chondrogenic media. The viability of cells in different groups was assessed by MTT. The expression of chondrogenic related genes [Sox9, type II collagen (Col II), Aggrecan(AGG)] and type X collagen (Col X) was quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

The results of the real-time PCR showed SOX9, AGG and Col X gene expression in the control groups being significantly lower than the other groups (p≤0.05). It also demonstrated Col II gene expression in the control group being significantly lower than the PLGA/Fibrin and PLGA/Fibrin/HA groups (p≤0.05). The Col X gene expression of cells in PLGA/HA and PLGA/Fibrin/HA groups significantly decreased in comparison with the PLGA/Fibrin group (p≤0.05).

These conclusions indicate that administration of PLGA/ Fibrin and PLGA/HA scaffolds, particularly PLGA/Fibrin/ HA, motivates chondrogenesis in hADSCs. This can be diminished by decreasing hypertrophic markers and increasing characteristic markers of hyaline cartilage.