Effect of ultrasound on production of extracellular matrix by cells in culture

[摘要] The thesis starts with characterization of alginate that involved the viscosity, ageing, and degradation of different concentrations of alginate. Live/Dead, MTT, and Hoechst 33258 assays were used to investigate cell viability and proliferation in alginate discs. Pulsed-low intensity ultrasound (PLIUS) treatment was applied to cells encapsulated in alginate to see if it has an effect on viability/proliferation of encapsulated cells (Hoechst 33258 assay), extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition (Alcian blue staining, hydroxyproline and glycosaminoglycan (GaG) assay) and cell morphology (scanning electron microscopy (SEM)). Study of cell behaviour in alginate discs showed that by altering both alginate concentration and cell seeding density, cell proliferation in alginate can be controlled. PLIUS in conjunction with growth factors (ascorbic acid and TGF-β1) leads to a higher amount of collagen production for 3T3 cells when compared to PLIUS alone. However, PLIUS exposure alone leads to a greater increase in HDF cell proliferation and collagen production than when supplemented with growth factors. No effect was seen on chondrocytes when PLIUS was applied. SEM images showed no damage to cells as a result of PLIUS exposure. These results indicate that PLIUS treatment of cells encapsulated in alginate showed a potential effect for enhancing ECM production by cells in culture.

[发布机构] University:University of Birmingham;Department:School of Engineering

[关键词] Q Science;QH Natural history;QH301 Biology