This study was designed to investigate the effect of hybridization of synthetic/natural materials for annulus fibrosus (AF) tissue regeneration in vitro and in vivo. The synthetic/natural hybrid scaffolds were prepared using PLGA (poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid), SIS (small intestinal submucosa) and DBP (demineralized bone particles). PLGA, PLGA/SIS(20%), PLGA/DBP(20%) and PLGA/SIS (10%)/DBP(10%) scaffold were manufactured by solvent casting/salt leaching method. Compressive strength was measured. Rabbit AF cells were isolated, cultured and seeded into experimental groups. Hydroxyproline production and DNA quantity of AF cells on each scaffold was measured at 2, 4 and 6 weeks after in vitro culture. Cell-scaffold composites were implanted subcutaneously into athymic mice. After 1, 4 and 6 weeks postoperatively, specimens were taken and H&E, Safranin-O and type I collagen staining were carried out concerning formation of cartilagenous tissue. In vitro PLGA/SIS scaffold was evaluated for total collagen content(hydroxyproline/DNA content) and PLGA scaffold was evaluated for compressive strength.

추간판 디스크의 섬유륜(AF)조직 재생에 적합한 다양한 담체를 평가하기 위해 천연재료인 소장점막하조직 (SIS)과 탈미네랄화된 골분(DBP)을 폴리(락타이드-글리콜라이드)공중합체(PLGA)와 혼합하여 담체(PLGA/SIS, PLGA/DBP, PLGA/SIS/DBP)를 제조하였으며, PLGA담체, PGA 메쉬, SIS스폰지와 비교하였다. 제조된 담체의 압축강도 및 AF세포를 담체에 파종하여 콜라겐 양과 DNA량을 측정하였으며, 이를 누드마우스 피하에 이식 후 적출하여 육안관찰과 조직학적인 평가를 수행하였다. 압축강도 측정에서 PLGA와 유사하게 PLGA/SIS, PLGA/DBP 에서도 충분한 강도를 나타내었다. DNA 증가량에 따른 콜라겐 양은 PLGA/SIS 에서 가장 높게 나타났고, 면역화학 염색을 통해 PLGA/SIS, PLGA/SIS/DBP 에서 글라이코스아미노글라이칸과 콜라겐 발현량이 높음을 확인하였다.

Keywords: intervertebral disc regeneration; tissue engineering; natural-synthetic hybrid materials; annulus fibrosus cell; small intestinal submucosa