2010 Volume No 20 – pages 282-294
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Title: Reticulated vitreous carbon: a useful material for cell adhesion and tissue invasion |
Author: MK Pec, R Reyes, E Sánchez, D Carballar, A Delgado, J Santamaría, M Arruebo, C Evora |
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Address: Department of Chemical Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of La Laguna, Av. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez, s/n, E-38200 La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain |
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E-mail: cevora at ull.es |
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Key Words: Reticulated vitreous carbon, pore-size, porous interconnectivity, simulated body fluid, mesenchymal stroma cells, chondrocytes, cell adhesion, tissue compatibility, bone repair. |
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Publication date: October 6th 2010 |
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Abstract: Diverse carbon materials have been used for tissue engineering and clinical implant applications with varying success. In this study, commercially available reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) foams were tested in vitro and in vivo for compatibility with primary cell adhesion and tissue repair. Pores sizes were determined as 279 ± 98 µm. No hydroxyapatite deposition was detected after immersion of the foams in simulated body fluid. Nonetheless, RVC provided an excellent support for adhesion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as well as primary chondrocytes without any surface pre-treatment. Live cell quantification revealed neutral behaviour of the material with plastic adhered chondrocytes but moderate cytotoxicity with MSCs. Yet, rabbit implanted foams exhibited good integration in subcutaneous pockets and most importantly, total defect repair in bone. Probably due to the stiffness of the material, incompatibility with cartilage regeneration was found. Interestingly and in contrast to several other carbon materials, we observed a total lack of foreign body reactions. Our results and its outstanding porous interconnectivity and availability within a wide range of pore sizes convert RVC into an attractive candidate for tissue engineering applications in a variety of bone models and for ex vivo cell expansion for regenerative medical applications. |
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Article download: Pages
282-294 (PDF file) |
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