Gellan gum as a natural polysaccharide has good heat resistance, acid resistance and enzymes resistance. However, one of the drawbacks of gellan gum might be the lower mechanical strength. In this work, gellan gum scaffolds were mixed with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microsphere in order to improve mechanical properties. The gellan gum scaffolds with various contents of PLGA microsphere were prepared for the regeneration of disc tissues. To evaluate the mechanical strength of hybrid structure of gellan gum and PLGA microsphere, compression strength of the fabricated scaffolds was measured. MTT analysis, SEM observation, histological evaluation and RT-PCR were performed to confirm the effect on the cell growth and extracellular matrix secretion. As a result, it showed the best cell proliferation and extracellular matrix secretion in gellan gum sponge containing 50% PLGA microspheres. In conclusion, this study confirmed that the hybrid structure of gellan gum and PLGA microspheres was found suitable in regeneration of the intervertebral disc.

젤란검은 천연재료로써 내열성, 내산성, 내효소성 등이 우수하여 용도가 광범위하나 기계적 강도가 약하다는 단점이 있다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 기계적 성질을 개선하고자 젤란검 스폰지에 PLGA 미립구를 혼합하였다. PLGA 미립구의 다양한 함량의 젤란검 스폰지는 기계적 강도를 알아보고자 압축강도를 측정하였고, MTT 분석, SEM, 생체활성조직학적 평가 및 RT-PCR을 통해 세포의 증식 및 ECM 분비 효과를 확인하였다. 그 결과, PLGA 미립구가 50% 함유된 젤란검 지지체에서 섬유륜세포의 꾸준한 증식과 세포외기질 분비가 우수한 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 이 연구를 통하여 PLGA 미립구가 함유된 젤란검이 디스크조직 재건을 위한 지지체로서 적합함을 알 수 있었으며, 젤란검의 다양한 응용가능성을 제시하였다.

Keywords: intervertebral disc; gellan gum; PLGA microsphere; cell proliferation; tissue engineering disc regeneration.