Macroporous elastic cryogels based on platelet lysate and oxidized dextran as tissue engineering scaffold: In vitro and in vivo evaluations

Abstract In this study, three-dimensional macroporous cryogels were developed from platelet lysate (PL) and different concentrations of oxidized dextran (OD; 0.5, 1, 2, 4%). Subsequently, PL/OD scaffolds were characterized for potential use in tissue engineering applications. The pore size and morphology of the resulting cryogels were visualized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The pore size distributions were determined using mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). In vitro hydrolytic degradation, water uptake, mechanical properties and hemocompatibility were investigated. Extraction test was carried out to evaluate potential in vitro toxic effects of the PL/OD. The in vitro adhesion, proliferation, chondrogenic differentiation, and extracellular matrix production of human adipose stem cells (hASCs) on PL/OD cryogels were evaluated. In vivo biodegradation of the cryogels was investigated at the subcutaneous dorsal site of rats. SEM and MIP results indicated that PL/OD had a macroporous pore structure with pore sizes ranging between 10 and 200 μm. The cryogels completely degraded within 90–240 days post-implantation, depending on OD concentration. Histochemical analysis revealed high levels of cell and tissue infiltration into the pores of PL/OD. In vitro cytotoxicity findings indicated that the extracts of PL/OD0.5, PL/OD1 and PL/OD2 showed no cytotoxic effect, whereas that of PL/OD4 exhibited a moderate cytotoxic effect on cell cultures. hASCs seeded on PL/OD2 retained their viability and showed extensive spreading and filopodia formation after 7 days. PL/OD2 also supported the chondrogenesis of hASCs in the presence of chondro-inductive factors. Given all the results, PL/OD could have potential as a scaffold for tissue engineering applications.