1. Injectable polyethylene glycol-fibrinogen hydrogel adjuvant improves survival and differentiation of transplanted mesoangioblasts in acute and chronic skeletal-muscle degeneration
- Author
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Fuoco Claudia, Salvatori Maria, Biondo Antonella, Shapira-Schweitzer Keren, Santoleri Sabrina, Antonini Stefania, Bernardini Sergio, Tedesco Francesco Saverio, Cannata Stefano, Seliktar Dror, Cossu Giulio, and Gargioli Cesare
- Subjects
Stem cells ,Mesoangioblasts ,Hydrogel ,Muscular dystrophy ,Muscle regeneration ,Cell therapy ,Tissue engineering ,Diseases of the musculoskeletal system ,RC925-935 - Abstract
Abstract Background Cell-transplantation therapies have attracted attention as treatments for skeletal-muscle disorders; however, such research has been severely limited by poor cell survival. Tissue engineering offers a potential solution to this problem by providing biomaterial adjuvants that improve survival and engraftment of donor cells. Methods In this study, we investigated the use of intra-muscular transplantation of mesoangioblasts (vessel-associated progenitor cells), delivered with an injectable hydrogel biomaterial directly into the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle of acutely injured or dystrophic mice. The hydrogel cell carrier, made from a polyethylene glycol-fibrinogen (PF) matrix, is polymerized in situ together with mesoangioblasts to form a resorbable cellularized implant. Results Mice treated with PF and mesoangioblasts showed enhanced cell engraftment as a result of increased survival and differentiation compared with the same cell population injected in aqueous saline solution. Conclusion Both PF and mesoangioblasts are currently undergoing separate clinical trials: their combined use may increase chances of efficacy for localized disorders of skeletal muscle.
- Published
- 2012
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