Stem cells combined 3D electrospun nanofibrous and macrochannelled matrices: a preliminary approach in repair of rat cranial bones

Figures & data

Figure 1. In vivo model: (A) Removal of cranial bone, (B) implantation of scaffold, (C) injection of stem cell suspension.

Table 1. Tissue response scores.

		Scores
Category	Parameters	4	3	2	1	0
Tissue response	Fibrous connective tissue formation	severe deposition of dense collagenous connective tissue around the implant.	disruption of normal tissue architecture and the presence of moderately dense fibrous connective tissue	presence of moderate connective tissue	presence of delicate spindle-shaped cells or mild fibroplasia	no difference from normal control tissue, no presence of connective tissue at or around the implant site
	Inflammatory cellular infiltration	severe cellular infiltrate response to an implant or tissue necrosis at or around the site	presence of large numbers of lymphocytes, macrophages and foreign body giant cells, also a notable presence of eosinophils and neutrophils	for the presence of several lymphocytes, macrophages with a few foreign body giant cells and small foci of neutrophils	presence of a few lymphocytes or macrophages, no presence of foreign body giant cells, eosinophil or neutrophils	no difference from normal control tissue, no presence of macrophages, foreign body cells, lymphocytes, eosinophils or neutrophils at or around the implant site

Figure 2. (A) Macroscopical image of PCL membrane, (B) SEM image showing the macrochannels of the spiral wounded scaffold, (C) SEM image showing the nanofibrous structure of the PCL scaffold.

Figure 3. Representative photomicrographs of the scaffold-stem cell groups demonstrating the defect area surrounded by compact bone. Left column (A, D), middle column (B, E) and right column (C, F) show 30, 90 and 180 days, respectively. F inset shows the bone spicule (indicated by a star) at the center of the cavity. CB: Compact bone; NB: New bone; BD: Connective tissue; S: Scaffold; Bv: Blood vessel; HE: Haematoxylin & Eosin; MT: Masson’s Trichrome.

Figure 4. (A) New bone per total defect area ratio, (B) new blood vessel number, (C) osteoblast lining, (D) tissue response scores.

Table 2. MicroCT results.

Sample number	Total defect volume (mm^3)	New bone volume (mm^3)	New bone volume/total defect volume (%)
1	157.977271	18.31390735	11.59275
2	113.1462004	6.940962952	6.13451
3	142.4618446	13.96349183	9.80157
4	127.3373865	7.286718153	5.72237
5	138.8037724	10.63930423	7.66500
6	113.0693617	12.60229822	11.14563
7	100.1948763	7.106975738	7.09315

Figure 5. A representative microCT image of cell–scaffold samples on day 180.