Autologous fibrin scaffolds cultured dermal fibroblasts and enriched with encapsulated bFGF for tissue engineering

Autologous fibrin scaffolds (AFSs) enriched with cells and specific growth factors represent a promising biocompatible scaffold for tissue engineering. Here, we analyzed the in vitro behavior of dermal fibroblasts (DFs) (cellular attachment, distribution, viability and proliferation, histological and immunohistochemical changes), comparing AFS with and without alginate microcapsules loaded with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), to validate our scaffold in a future animal model in vivo. In all cases, DFs showed good adhesion and normal distribution, while in scaffolds with bFGF at 14 days, the cell counts detected in proliferation and viability assays were greatly improved, as was the proliferative state, and there was a decrease in muscle specific actin expression and collagen synthesis in comparison with the scaffolds without bFGF. In addition, the use of plasma without fibrinogen concentration methods, together with the maximum controlled release of bFGF at 14 days, favored cell proliferation. To conclude, we have been able to create an AFS enriched with fully functional DFs and release-controlled bFGF that could be used in multiple applications for tissue engineering (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 99A: 648-654, 2011.