An in vitro and in vivo study on the properties of hollow polycaprolactone cell-delivery particles

• Published in: PloS one 2018-07, Vol.13 (7), p.e0198248
• Main Authors: Stander, Barend Andre, van Vollenstee, Fiona A, Kallmeyer, Karlien, Potgieter, Marnie, Joubert, Annie, Swanepoel, Andri, Kotze, Lara, Moolman, Sean, Pepper, Michael S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adipogenesis; Adipogenesis - drug effects; Anchors; Animals; Asthma; Biochemistry; Biocompatibility; Biodegradability; Biodegradation; Biology and Life Sciences; Cell adhesion; Cell adhesion & migration; Cell Adhesion - drug effects; Cell cycle; Cell migration; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Cell Survival - drug effects; Councils; Cytology; Cytotoxicity; Delivery systems; Dermal fillers; Dermal Fillers - pharmacology; Embryo fibroblasts; Embryo, Mammalian; Female; Fibroblasts; Fibroblasts - cytology; Fibroblasts - physiology; Fibroblasts - transplantation; Fillers; Hydroxyapatite; Hypodermis; Immunology; In vivo methods and tests; Industrial research; Inflammation; Inflammatory response; Manufacturing; Materials science; Medical research; Medicine; Medicine and Health Sciences; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Models, Animal; Morphology; Particulates; Physiology; Polycaprolactone; Polyesters - chemistry; Polyesters - pharmacology; Polymers; Polystyrene; Polystyrene resins; Polystyrenes - chemistry; Polystyrenes - pharmacology; Primary Cell Culture; Research and Analysis Methods; Skin; Stem cells; Thrombosis; Tissue engineering; Tissue Engineering - methods; Tissue Scaffolds; Toxicity testing; Viability
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198248

The field of dermal fillers is evolving rapidly and numerous products are currently on the market. Biodegradable polymers such as polycaprolactone (PCL) have been found to be compatible with several body tissues, and this makes them an ideal material for dermal filling purposes. Hollow PCL spheres were developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to serve both as an anchor point and a "tissue harbour" for cells. Particles were tested for cytotoxicity and cell adherence using mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF). MEFs adhered to the particles and no significant toxic effects were observed based on morphology, cell growth, cell viability and cell cycle analysis, suggesting that the particles are suitable candidates for cell delivery systems in an in vivo setting. The objective of providing a "tissue harbour" was however not realized, as cells did not preferentially migrate into the ported particles. In vivo studies were conducted in BALB/c mice into whom particles were introduced at the level of the hypodermis. Mice injected with PCL particles (ported and non-ported; with or without MEFs) showed evidence of local inflammation and increased adipogenesis at the site of injection, as well as a systemic inflammatory response. These effects were also observed in mice that received apparently inert (polystyrene) particles. Ported PCL particles can therefore act as a cell delivery system and through their ability to induce adipogenesis, may also serve as a dermal bulking agent.