A Controlled Release Codelivery System of MSCs Encapsulated in DextranGelatin Hydrogel with TGF-β3-Loaded Nanoparticles for Nucleus Pulposus Regeneration

Abstract EN

Mesenchymal stem cell- (MSC-) based therapy is regarded as a potential tissue engineering strategy to achieve nucleus pulposus (NP) regeneration for the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD).

However, it is still a challenge to induce MSC differentiation in NP-like cells when MSCs are implanted into the NP.

The purpose of this study was to construct poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles as carriers for TGF-β3 controlled release and establish a codelivery system of a dextran/gelatin hydrogel with the nanoparticles for long-term processing of discogenesis differentiation.

TGF-β3-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by the double-emulsion solvent evaporation method and seeded uniformly into the hydrogel.

Morphological observations, an assessment of the release kinetics of TGF-β3, a cytotoxic assay, a cell proliferation test, a biochemical content assay, qRT-PCR, and immunohistological analyses of the codelivery system were conducted in the study.

The results showed that the TGF-β3-loaded nanoparticles could release TGF-β3 gradually.

The codelivery system exhibited favorable cytocompatibility, and the TGF-β3 that was released could induce MSCs to NP-like cells while promoting ECM-related biosynthesis.

These results suggest this codelivery system may be employed as a promising carrier for discogenesis of MSCs in situ.