0000000000917545
AUTHOR
Francesca Zummo
A 3D‑scaffold of PLLA induces the morphological differentiation and migration of primary astrocytes and promotes the production of extracellular vesicles
The present study analyzed the ability of primary rat astrocytes to colonize a porous scaffold, mimicking the reticular structure of the brain parenchyma extracellular matrix, as well as their ability to grow, survive and differentiate on the scaffold. Scaffolds were prepared using poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) via thermally-induced phase separation. Firstly, the present study studied the effects of scaffold morphology on the growth of astrocytes, evaluating their capability to colonize. Specifically, two different morphologies were tested, which were obtained by changing the polymer concentration in the starting solution. The structures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and a…
3D cultures of primary astrocytes on Poly-L-lactic acid scaffolds
Tissue engineering is an emerging multidisciplinary field that aims at reproducing in vitro tissues with morphological and functional features similar to the biological tissue of the human body. Polymeric materials can be used in contact with biological systems in replacing destroyed tissue by transplantation [1]. Several biopolymers, including poly L (lactic acid) (PLLA), have been used in biomedical applications to set scaffolds with ductile proprieties and biodegradation kinetics [2]. In particular, the PLLA scaffold topography mimics the natural extracellular matrix and makes it a good candidate for neural tissue engineering. We report about of 3D system the PLLA porous scaffolds prepar…
Migration of brain capillary endothelial cells inside poly (lactic acid) 3D scaffolds
The brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs) form the blood brain barrier (BBB) under the effects of the brain microenvironment. BCECs are sealed together by tight junctions (TJs) that are responsible for the barrier phenotype. In these junctions, molecules such as JAM (junctional adhesion molecules), occludin and claudins are present. Threedimensional scaffolds are used to grow cells in order to obtain in vitro engineered tissues. On the base of these considerations, the aim of this work was to understand whether the endothelial cells were able to grow and survive on a new three-dimensional structure. If yes, indeed, this system could be further enriched and used to set a three-dimensiona…
Microscopic evidence of the primary astrocytes' morphological differentiation and migration inside porous Poly-L-lactic acid 3D‑scaffolds
Tissue engineering is an emerging multidisciplinary field that aims at reproducing in vitro and/or in vivo tissues with morphological and functional features similar to the biological tissue of the human body [1]. In the attempt to construct suitable tissue models, a critical step is the setting of 3D scaffolds that mimic the supportive structures of a natural extracellular matrix microenvironment into which cells are normally embedded. In this context, the generation of 3D cultures of brain cells is of particular interest. For instance, the poly L‐lactic acid (PLLA) polymer is wildly used because of its biocompatible and biodegradable potential; the PLLA scaffold topography simulates the n…