Original Article
Copyright ©2012 Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Stem Cells. Sep 26, 2012; 4(9): 94-100
Published online Sep 26, 2012. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v4.i9.94
Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) supports adhesion and migration of mesenchymal stem cells and tenocytes
Alex J Lomas, George GQ Chen, Alicia J El Haj, Nicholas R Forsyth
Alex J Lomas, Alicia J El Haj, Nicholas R Forsyth, Guy Hilton Research Centre, Keele University, Stoke on Trent, ST4 7QB, United Kingdom
George GQ Chen, Department Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Author contributions: Lomas AJ performed all experiments and prepared the manuscript; Forsyth NR assisted with manuscript preparation and experimental design; El Haj AJ assisted with experimental design; Chen GGO assisted with experimental design and reagent supply.
Supported by EPSRC Doctoral Training Centre in Regenerative Medicine and the HYANJI Scaffold Project (European Commission Framework 7 program)
Correspondence to: Nicholas Forsyth, PhD, Guy Hilton Research Centre, Institute of Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University, Thornburrow Drive, Hartshill, Stoke on Trent, ST4 7QB, United Kingdom. n.r.forsyth@pmed.keele.ac.uk
Telephone: +44-1782-610395 Fax: +44-1782-747319
Received: September 21, 2011
Revised: March 1, 2012
Accepted: March 25, 2012
Published online: September 26, 2012
Abstract

AIM: To establish the potential of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) as a material for tendon repair.

METHODS: The biocompatibility of PHBHHx with both rat tenocytes (rT) and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) was explored by monitoring adhesive characteristics on films of varying weight/volume ratios coupled to a culture atmosphere of either 21% O2 (air) or 2% O2 (physiological normoxia). The diameter and stiffness of PHBHHx films was established using optical coherence tomography and mechanical testing, respectively.

RESULTS: Film thickness correlated directly with weight/volume PHBHHx (r2 = 0.9473) ranging from 0.1 mm (0.8% weight/volume) to 0.19 mm (2.4% weight/volume). Film stiffness on the other hand displayed a biphasic response which increased rapidly at values > 1.6% weight/volume. Optimal cell attachment of rT required films of ≥ 1.6% and ≥ 2.0% weight/volume PHBHHx in 2% O2 and 21% O2 respectively. A qualitative adhesion increase was noted for hMSC in films ≥ 1.2% weight/volume, becoming significant at 2% weight/volume in 2% O2. An increase in cell adhesion was also noted with ≥ 2% weight/volume PHBHHx in 21% O2. Cell migration into films was not observed.

CONCLUSION: This evaluation demonstrates that PHBHHx is a suitable polymer for future cell/polymer replacement strategies in tendon repair.

Keywords: Mesenchymal stem cell, Tenocytes, Polyhydroxyalkanoates, Hypoxia, Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate)