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Development of experimental protocols for a heterogeneous bioscaffold-chondrocyte construct with application to a tissue engineered spinal disc

Shi, Shuai
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1271444483

Abstract Details

2010, Master of Science in Bioengineering, University of Toledo, Bioengineering.
The rising incidence of back pain and an aging population have brought increased attention to the need for spinal disc treatment. Disc degeneration, which is known to be the main cause for back pain, can result in a multitude of spinal disorders such as segment instability, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, disc herniation, and discogenic back pain. The reason for disc degeneration involves a decrease in the concentration of living cells, a decline in the nutrient supply, accumulation of degraded extracellular matrix molecules, and exposure to heavy mechanical loading over a long period of time. Disc degeneration is significant healthcare problem that is in need of more reliable and cost-effective solutions. However, few effective treatment options are available at present, and treatment relies on disectomy, foraminotomy, laminectomy, or spinal segment fusions. The biological treatment of disc degeneration using tissue engineering techniques offers significant potential for minimizing the limitations of artificial discs and intensive surgery. Tissue engineering methods focus on repairing or regenerating the damaged tissue by culturing disc-specific cells with appropriate survival and growth and factors in a 3-D scaffolding that offers appropriate mechanical support. In this project, a hybrid scaffold system of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and calcium-crosslinked alginate was developed and tested for encapsulating and culturing cells. Due to the avascular nature of the spinal disc, chondrocytes isolated from bovine articular cartilage were used as a surrogate for the disc-specific cells in this thesis. Experimental methods were developed for encapsulation of cells in several biomaterials that may be appropriate for cell implantation. To improve mechanical properties, a hybrid scaffold system of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and calcium-crosslinked alginate was developed and tested for encapsulating and culturing cells. The composite PVA-alginate scaffold has more rigidity and flexibility than alginate alone. The results of this work show qualitatively that the chondrocytes could survive and proliferation within the scaffolds and some cells may migrate out of the scaffolds. This preliminary study suggests that a heterogeneous biomaterial construct of this type may be useful for development of a tissue engineered spinal disc replacement.
Arunan Nadarajah, Ph.D (Committee Chair)
Patricia Relue, Ph.D (Committee Co-Chair)
Sarit Bhaduri, Ph.D (Committee Member)
Academic Guidance Counseling; Biomedical Research; Engineering; Health Care
Spinal disc; PVA; alginate; polyacrylamide; hydrogel; chondrocytes

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Shi, S. (2010). Development of experimental protocols for a heterogeneous bioscaffold-chondrocyte construct with application to a tissue engineered spinal disc [Master's thesis, University of Toledo]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1271444483

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Shi, Shuai. Development of experimental protocols for a heterogeneous bioscaffold-chondrocyte construct with application to a tissue engineered spinal disc. 2010. University of Toledo, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1271444483.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Shi, Shuai. "Development of experimental protocols for a heterogeneous bioscaffold-chondrocyte construct with application to a tissue engineered spinal disc." Master's thesis, University of Toledo, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1271444483

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by University of Toledo and OhioLINK.