Department of Tissue Engineering

Controlled drug delivery.
Liposome-enriched nanofibers.

The research is concentrated on the development of novel three-dimensional scaffolds utilizing biodegradable materials. Textiles, both woven and non-woven, as well as composite scaffolds are generated mainly employing a nanofiber-based approach and applied separately or in combination with an isotropic gel. Grafts based on autologous chondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cells are used for tissue defect regeneration (namely cartilage and bone). A special technique for the rapid evaluation of  biomechanical properties in miniature tissue pieces was developed.

 

 

Scaffolds and cell seeding. Electron microscopy of a cross-linked gelatin scaffold and confocal microscopy of a chondrocyte-seeded scaffold.

Histology of an osteochondral defect 6 weeks after implantation demonstrates the capability of a composite hyaluronan/type I collagen/fibrin scaffold to regenerate rabbit-knee cartilage. Hematoxylin–eosin staining. Glycosaminoglycan detection by Alcian blue staining and PAS reaction. Immunohistochemical detection of type II collagen

1.Time-regulated drug delivery system based on coaxially incorporated platelet alpha granules for biomedical use

Alpha granules are novel source of natural growth factors from platelets. In recent work we had sucesfully embedded alpha granules into nanofibers with core/shell structure. The alpha granules survived the electrospinning proces and growth factors retained their bioaktivity as was demonstarted on the model of chondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cells.

Fig.A.,B. Micrograph alpha granules encapsulated in coaxial nanofibers polycaprolactone and polyvinyl alcohol using scanning electron microscopy (FESEM).

Collaboration:
Ústav biofyziky, 2.lékařská fakulta Univerzita Karlova v Praze; Oddělení mechaniky, Fakulta aplikovaných věd, Západočeská univerzita v Plzni; Textilní fakulta, Katedra netkaných textilií, Technická univerzita v Liberci

Publication:
Buzgo M., Jakubova R., Mickova A., Rampichova M., Prosecka E., Kochova P., Lukas D., Amler E.: (2012) Time-regulated drug delivery system based on coaxially incorporated platelet alpha granules for biomedical use. Nanomedicine- UK. 8(7): 1137-1154. IF 5,26

2.A cell-free nanofiber composite scaffold regenerated osteochondral defects in miniature pigs

A novel drug delivery system was developed on the basis of the intake effect of liposomes encapsulated in PVA nanofibers. Time-controlled release of insulin and bFGF improved MSC viability in vitro. In addition, cell-free composite scaffolds containing PVA nanofibers enriched with liposomes, bFGF, and insulin were implanted into seven osteochondral defects of miniature pigs; control defects were left untreated. The cell-free composite scaffold enhanced migration of the cells into the defect, and their differentiation into chondrocytes; the scaffold was able to enhance the regeneration of osteochondral defects in minipigs.

Fig. Regeneration of osteochondral defect of miniature pig using a cell-free collagen type I/hyauronate sodium/fibrin gel containing polyvinyl alcohol nanofibers enriched with liposomes and growth factors (A) and untreated defect (B) 12 week after implantation. Alcian blue and PAS staining.

Collaboration:
Fakulta biomedicínského inženýrství, ČVUT v Praze, Ústav biofyziky, 2. LF UK v Praze, Fyziologický ústav AV ČR, v.v.i., Ústav stavebníctva a architektúry SAV, Textilní fakulta, Technická univerzita Liberec, Ústav živočišné fyziologie a genetiky AV ČR, v.v.i., Ústav histologie a embryologie, 2. LF UK v Praze, Student Science, s r.o.

Publication:
Filová E., Rampichová M., Litvinec A., Držík M., Míčková A., Buzgo M., Košťáková E., Martinová L., Usvald D., Prosecká E., Uhlík J., Motlík J., Vajner L., Amler E. A cell-free nanofiber composite scaffold regenerated osteochondral defects in miniature pigs. Int J Pharm. 2013 Apr 15;447(1-2):139-49. IF 3,458.

3.Electrospun core/shell nanofibers: a promising system for cartilage and tissue engineering

Alpha granules are novel source of natural growth factors from platelets. In recent work we had sucesfully embedded alpha granules into nanofibers with core/shell structure. The alpha granules survived the electrospinning proces and growth factors retained their bioaktivity as was demonstarted on the model of chondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cells.

Fig. Coaxial nanofibres of polyvinyl alcohol (core) and polycaprolactone (sheath) with incorporated labeled alpha-granules carboxy fl uorescein succinimidyl ester scanned by confocal microscopy.

Collaboration:
Ústav biofyziky, 2. LF UK v Praze; Univerzitní centrum energeticky efektivních budov, Buštehrad

Publication:
Amler E., Mickova A., Buzgo M. Electrospun core/shell nanofibers: a promising system for cartilage and tissue engineering? Nanomedicine (Lond). 2013 Apr;8(4):509-12. IF 5,26.