Perfusion cell seeding on large porous PLA/calcium phosphate composite scaffolds in a perfusion bioreactor system under varying perfusion parameters

• Published in: Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A 2010-12, Vol.95A (4), p.1011-1018
• Main Authors: Koch, M. A., Vrij, E. J., Engel, E., Planell, J. A., Lacroix, D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acridine Orange - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical materials; bioreactor; Bioreactors; Biotechnology; bone tissue engineering; Bones; Calcium Phosphates - pharmacology; Cell Culture Techniques - instrumentation; Cell Line; Cell Survival - drug effects; Enginyeria de teixits; Enginyeria dels materials; Ethidium - metabolism; Fluid dynamics; Fluid flow; Fluids; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Health. Pharmaceutical industry; Humans; in vitro; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Lactic Acid - pharmacology; Medical sciences; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Miscellaneous; Nucleation; Ossos; Osteoblasts - cytology; Osteoblasts - drug effects; Perfusion - methods; Polyesters; Polymers - pharmacology; Porosity - drug effects; Rheology - drug effects; Scaffolds; Staining and Labeling; Stress, Mechanical; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgical implants; Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments; Time Factors; Tissue scaffolds; Tissue Scaffolds - chemistry; Various methods and equipments; Àrees temàtiques de la UPC
• ISSN: 1549-3296; 1552-4965; 1552-4965
• DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.32927

A promising approach to bone tissue engineering lies in the use of perfusion bioreactors where cells are seeded and cultured on scaffolds under conditions of enhanced nutrient supply and removal of metabolic products. Fluid flow alterations can stimulate cell activity, making the engineering of tissue more efficient. Most bioreactor systems are used to culture cells on thin scaffold discs. In clinical use, however, bone substitutes of large dimensions are needed. In this study, MG63 osteoblast‐like cells were seeded on large porous PLA/glass scaffolds with a custom developed perfusion bioreactor system. Cells were seeded by oscillating perfusion of cell suspension through the scaffolds. Applicable perfusion parameters for successful cell seeding were determined by varying fluid flow velocity and perfusion cycle number. After perfusion, cell seeding, the cell distribution, and cell seeding efficiency were determined. A fluid flow velocity of 5 mm/s had to be exceeded to achieve a uniform cell distribution throughout the scaffold interior. Cell seeding efficiencies of up to 50% were achieved. Results suggested that perfusion cycle number influenced cell seeding efficiency rather than fluid flow velocities. The cell seeding conducted is a promising basis for further long term cell culture studies in large porous scaffolds. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2010.