3D-bioprinting is a promising technology for a tissue scaffold fabrication in the case of damaged tissue/organ replacement. Collagen is one of the most appropriate hydrogel for the purpose, due to its exceptional biocompatibility. However, the use of collagen with conventionally low concentration makes bioprinting process difficult and does not provide its high accuracy. The purpose of the study was evaluation of suitability of collagen with high concentration in case of chondrocyte-laden scaffold fabrication via 3D-bioprinting for cartilage regeneration in vitro and in vivo. The results of the study showed that inherent porosity of 4% collagen was not enough for cell survival in the case of long-term incubation in vitro. With the beginning of the scaffold incubation, cell migration to the surface and out of the scaffold was observed. The residual cells died mostly within 4 weeks. As for in vivo study, in 2 weeks after implantation of the scaffold, a weak granulomatous inflammation was observed. In 6 weeks, a connective tissue was formed in the area of implantation. In the tissue, macrophages and groups of small cells with round nuclei were found. In accordance with morphological criteria, these cells could be considered as young chondrocytes. However, its amount was not enough to initiate the formation of cartilage.
Cancer radiotherapy effectiveness largely depends on tumor cells radiosensitivity. Inherent or acquired radioresistance of tumor cells is important challenge in radiation therapy. Response of tumor cells to fractionated radiation therapy has been investigated by many research groups. At present time the use of protons for cancer research and treatment has expanded rapidly. In this connection research on sensitivity of tumor cells to proton beam therapy is an urgent task. The aim of the study was to assess sensitivity of irradiated with electrons or protons B16 melanoma cells to the next electron beam or proton beam irradiation at comparable total doses. Studies with the use of stable tumor cell lines with acquired radioresistance may be useful for the develop-ment of effective treatment plan tailored to the patients with relapses or metastases that have oc-curred after prior unsuccessful radiotherapy with standard types of radiation. Protons were pro-vided by Prometeus installation scanning beam and the electron beam of the accelerator Novac-11. Cells radiosensitivity was measured by clonogenic assay. The resistance of cells first irradiat-ed with protons and electrons to the next irradiation with protons and electrons was estimated by clonogenic assay. DNA damages, cell size, proliferative activity and cell cycle phase distribution were also evaluated. The study demonstrated that fractionated irradiation of B16 cells with elec-trons at the total dose of 60 Gy causes significant reduction of cells radiosensitivity to the next ir-radiation with protons, radiosensitivity of irradiated cells to the second irradiation with electrons remains the same. In contrast, the first fractionated irradiation of cells with protons at the total dose of 50 Gy does not affect the radiosensitivity of the cells to the next irradiation with electrons or protons.
The study was aimed to the biological effectiveness of the proton scanning beam of the first Russian medical facility. The clonogenic assay of B-16 tumor cells was used as a test system. Cell irradiation was carried out in a suspension condition in a water phantom. Single and three-field exposures were studied. The dose interval was 2-8 Gy. The energy range from 47.5 to 92.0 MeV was used for the Bragg peak formation. The relative biological effectiveness of protons comparing to gamma-rays was 1.2 for single-field and 1.5 for three-field irradiation. The results obtained agree with literature data related to the used cell culture (B-16) and linear energy transfer range (3÷8 keV/µm).