In vitro fabrication of bone-like structures for tissue engineering applications

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26630423
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Biofunction/Bioprocess
• Research Institution: Yokohama National University
• Principal Investigator: Fukuda Junji 横浜国立大学, 工学(系)研究科(研究院), 准教授 (80431675)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): ANADA TAKAHISA 東北大学, 歯学研究科, 准教授 (30398466) ; SUZUKI ATSUSHI 横浜国立大学, 工学研究院, 准教授 (60467058)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 再生医療 / 骨 / 血管 / コラーゲン / 間葉系幹細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Fabrication of three-dimensional vascularized bone graft is a major challenge in bone tissue engineering. A collagen gel solution containing bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) was dropped on a hydrophobic plate, which then spontaneously contracted and formed spherical shape during culture by contraction forces of MSCs. The surface of MSC-embedded microgel was covered with human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Transplantation of the microgels with endothelial cells into a bone-defeated model mouse revealed acceleration of bone regeneration with improved blood supply, compared to microgels without endothelial cells, clinically proven biomaterial (beta-TCP), and non-transplantation control. This approach may be a fundamental technique for engineering osteon-like tissues to bone regenerative medicine.

Free Research Field

生物工学