A Biologically Inspired Material for Stem-Cell Induced Cartilage Repair

这项由材料研究部生物材料项目授予新泽西理工学院的奖项将研究一种新型的半合成纤维素衍生物，纤维素是最丰富的天然材料之一，可用作软骨修复的组织工程支架。关节软骨的愈合能力有限。在早期发育过程中，将细胞以及更紧密地模仿软骨细胞外基质结构的材料纳入专门的构建体可能是促进功能性软骨组织形成的有前途的策略。纤维素硫酸钠是水溶性的，并且模拟糖胺聚糖的结构。它是一种线性多糖，可以用不同程度的硫酸化合成，以提高生物活性。 纤维素硫酸钠可以赋予类似于糖胺聚糖的功能品质，直接软骨形成和软骨组织形成。纤维素硫酸钠将与纤维形式的明胶组合，以在结构和功能上更接近地模拟软骨的天然细胞外基质。该项目的第一个目标是制造和表征硫酸纤维素钠-明胶纤维支架，目的是确定最佳支持细胞生长和浸润的结构。目的2：确定纤维素硫酸钠构建体在体外促进间充质干细胞诱导的软骨形成和与周围宿主软骨的整合。该项目的目标是开发一种用于修复软骨缺损的新型组合疗法，并提高对生物启发材料的作用及其对细胞分化的影响的科学理解。这里的研究工作也将在教学，培训和教育中传播。 特别令人感兴趣的是将代表性不足的少数群体和妇女纳入其影响范围。 主要研究者的实验室通过各种社区和大学计划，积极参与从初中开始的少数民族和女性学生的招募，培训和指导。本项目将开发用于软骨组织修复的生物启发材料。关节修复仍然是一个重大挑战，需要使用能够提供生物功能的创新材料。在早期发育过程中，结合细胞以及更接近地模仿软骨组织结构的材料的专门构建体可能是促进功能性软骨组织形成的有前途的策略。纤维素硫酸钠模拟软骨组织中存在的糖胺聚糖的结构，并且可以用不同程度的官能团制备，以改善其生物学性能。将使用干细胞评价含纤维素硫酸钠的材料的软骨组织形成。该项目的目标是开发一种用于修复软骨缺损的新型组合疗法，并提高对生物启发材料的作用及其对细胞功能影响的科学理解。这里的研究工作也将在教学，培训和教育中传播。 特别令人感兴趣的是将代表性不足的少数群体和妇女纳入其影响范围。 主要研究者的实验室通过各种社区和大学方案，积极参与从初中开始的代表性不足的少数民族和女学生的招聘、培训和辅导。

This award by the Biomaterials program in the Division of Materials Research to New Jersey Institute of Technology will investigate a novel, semi-synthetic derivative of cellulose, which is one of the most abundant natural materials, for use as a tissue engineering scaffold for cartilage repair. Articular cartilage has a limited capacity to heal. Specialized constructs incorporating cells as well as materials that more closely mimic the structure of the cartilage extracellular matrix during early development may be a promising strategy for promoting the formation of functional cartilage tissue. Sodium cellulose sulfate is water soluble and mimics the structure of glycosaminoglycans. It is a linear polysaccharide that can be synthesized with varying degrees of sulfation for improved bioactivity. Sodium cellulose sulfate could impart functional qualities that are similar to glycosaminoglycans, direct chondrogenesis and cartilage tissue formation. Sodium cellulose sulfate will be combined with gelatin in a fibrous form to more closely mimic the natural extracellular matrix of cartilage in both structure and function. The first aim of the project will be the fabrication and characterization of sodium cellulose sulfate -gelatin fibrous scaffolds with the goal of determining construct(s) that best support cell growth and infiltration. Aim 2 will determine sodium cellulose sulfate constructs that promote mesenchymal stem cell-induced cartilage formation and integration with surrounding host cartilage in vitro. The goals of this project are to develop a novel combination therapy for the repair of cartilage defects and enhance the scientific understanding of the role of biologically inspired materials and their effect on cell differentiation. The research efforts here will also be disseminated in teaching, training, and education. Of particular interest is the inclusion of underrepresented minorities and women in the scope of its impact. The principal investigator's laboratory is actively involved in the recruitment, training and mentorship of underrepresented minority and female students starting at the junior high school level through various community and university programs.This project will develop a biologically inspired material for cartilage tissue repair. Joint repair continues to be a significant challenge that demands the use of innovative materials that can provide biological function. Specialized constructs incorporating cells as well as materials that more closely mimic the structure of cartilage tissue during early development may be a promising strategy for promoting the formation of functional cartilage tissue. Sodium cellulose sulfate mimics the structure of glycosaminoglycans present in cartilage tissue and can be prepared with varying degrees of functional groups to improve its biological performance. Sodium cellulose sulfate containing materials will be evaluated with stem cells for the formation of cartilage tissue. The goals of this project are to develop a novel combination therapy for the repair of cartilage defects and enhance the scientific understanding of the role of biologically inspired materials and their effect on cell function. The research efforts here will also be disseminated in teaching, training, and education. Of particular interest is the inclusion of underrepresented minorities and women in the scope of its impact. The principal investigator's laboratory is actively involved in the recruitment, training and mentorship of underrepresented minority and female students starting at the junior high school level through various community and university programs.