Whartons Jelly-derived Mesenchymal stem cells and osteoinductive herbal scaffolds for critical-size calvarial bone defect regeneration

Shivaji Kashte

Abstract

Whartons Jelly-derived Mesenchymal stem cells and osteoinductive herbal scaffolds for critical-size calvarial bone defect regeneration

Statement of the Problem: Critical size calvarial bone defects and their repair is the major challenge in orthopedic surgery. Bone tissue engineering using varied combinations of scaffolds, stem cells, and growth factors is an emerging choice of treatment for a variety of bone defects. The study aimed to compare and evaluate the potential of poly ε-caprolactone (PCL), PCL- graphene oxide (GO), PCL-GO-Cissus quadrangularis (CQ), and human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) seeded PCL (PCL- hUCMSCs), PCL-GO-CQ-hUCMSCs to heal critical-size calvarial bone defect in the rat models. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Healthy adult Wister female rats (N = 30) with an average body weight of 350±30 g were divided into 6 groups with five animals in each group. A single critical-size calvarial defect of 8 mm was created in the skull of each rat and was treated with respective scaffolds. The outcome of the treatments was evaluated at 6 weeks and 12 weeks in terms of weight, hematological parameters, and biochemical parameters for biocompatibility. New bone regeneration/healing was analyzed using digital radiography and micro-computed tomography. The quality of bone formed was analyzed by bone mineral density. Histological analysis of the bone tissues was performed using an optical microscope. Findings: All the scaffolds were biocompatible and there was no adverse effect of these scaffolds on animals. Higher bone regeneration was observed after 12 weeks of transplantation than 6 weeks. However, PCL-GO-CQ-hUCMSCs scaffolds exhibited the highest bone regeneration after 12 weeks. Conclusion & Significance: The unique combination of PCL-GO-CQ-hUCMSCs scaffold proved to be beneficial in bone regeneration by aiding nearly complete healing of defect site. Further studies with PCL-GO-CQ-hUCMSCs could pave the way for human clinical trials.