Biodegradable microcarriers as cell delivery vehicle for in vivo transplantation and magnetic resonance monitoring
Lovati, A.B.; Vianello, E.; Talò, G.; Recordati, C.; Bonizzi, L.; Galliera, E.; Broggini, M.; Moretti, M.
Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents 25(2 Suppl): S63-S74
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 0393-974X PMID: 22051172 Document Number: 651038
Microcarrier culture systems offer an attractive method for cell amplification and as delivery vehicle. At the same time, super paramagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles represent a unique in vivo tracking system, already approved for clinical use. In our study, we tested the combination of clinically approved microcarriers and SPIO nanoparticles for cell-construct delivery and subsequent tracking after implantation. In order to mimic better a clinical setting, biodegradable macroporous microcarriers were employed as an alternative approach to expand human primary chondrocytes in a dynamic culture system for subsequent direct transplantation. In addition, cellseeded microcarriers were labeled with SPIO nanoparticles to evaluate the benefits of cell-constructs tracking with magnetic resonance. In vivo subcutaneous implants were monitored for up to 3 weeks and orthotopic implantation was simulated and monitored in ex vivo osteochondral defects.