Flow perfusion improves seeding efficiency and spatial distribution in scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

摘要

Scaffold seeding with osteoblastic cells affects the development of bone grafts, determining initial cell number and cell spatial distribution in the scaffold. Spinner flasks and rotating wall vessels have been used as dynamic systems, but improvement is desirable. We evaluate the effect of perfusion on seeding efficiency and spatial distribution of osteoblastic cells in polymeric scaffolds with different architectures. The effect of fiber size and surface modification by oxygen plasma treatment is also evaluated. MC3T3-E1 cells were seeded statically and in a flow perfusion bioreactor. Dynamic seeding resulted in the most efficient seeding technique, and improved the distribution of the cells throughout the scaffold surface when compared to the static seeding.