Tissue engineering of the annulus fibrosus (AF) is challenging due to its complex lamellar structure. Polyurethane scaffolds have shown promise in AF tissue engineering. The current study examines whether matrix protein coatings (collagen type I, fibronectin, or vitronectin)
would enhance cell attachment and promote cell and collagen orientation that more closely mimics native AF. The results demonstrate that the greatest cell attachment occurred with fibronectin (Fn)-coated scaffolds. Cells on Fn-coated scaffolds were also aligned parallel to
scaffold fibers, a process that involved α5β1 integrin, determined by integrin-specific blocking antibodies. The inhibition of this integrin reduced AF cell spreading and alignment and the changes in cell shape were regulated by the actin cytoskeleton, demonstrated using cytochalasin D inhibitor. Cells on Fn-coated scaffolds formed fibrillar Fn, synthesized significantly more
collagen, and showed alignment of type I collagen that more closely mimics native AF therefore facilitating the development of the tissue in vitro.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:OTU.1807/27463 |
| Date | 01 June 2011 |
| Creators | Attia, Menat |
| Contributors | Kandel, Rita A., Santerre, J. Paul |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | en_ca |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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