Abstract
The use of collagen scaffolds and stem cells for obtaining a tissue-engineering complex has been an important concept in promoting repair and regeneration of the bone tissue. Such units represent important steps in the development of an ideal scaffold-cell complex that would sustain new bone apposition. The aim of our study was to perform a histologic evaluation of the healing of critical-sized bone defects, using a biologic collagen scaffold with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells, in comparison to negative controls created in the adjacent bone. We used 16 Wistar rats and according to the study design 2 calvarial bone defects were created in each animal, one was filled with collagen seeded with adipose-derived stem cells and the other one was considered negative control. During the following month, at weekly intervals, the animals were euthanized and the specimens from bone defects were histologically evaluated. The results showed that these scaffolds were highly biocompatible as only moderate inflammation no rejection reactions were observed. Furthermore, the first signs of osseous healing appeared after two weeks accompanied by angiogenesis. Collagen scaffolds seeded with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells can be considered a promising treatment option in bone regeneration of large defects.
Keywords: collagen scaffold; mesenchymal stem cells; osteogenic differentiation; bone regeneration