Stem cell augmented mesh materials: an in vitro and in vivo study

Introduction and hypothesis To test in vitro and in vivo the capability of mesh materials to act as scaffolds for rat-derived mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs) and to compare inflammatory response and collagen characteristics of implant materials, either seeded or not with rMSCs. Methods rMSCs isolated from rat bone marrow were seeded and cultured in vitro on four different implant materials. Implants showing the best rMSC proliferation rate were selected for the in vivo experiment. Forty-eight adult female Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into two treatment groups. The implant of interest—either seeded or not with rMSCs—was laid and fixed over the muscular abdominal wall. Main outcome measures were: in vitro, proliferation of rMSCs on selected materials; in vivo, the occurrence of topical complications, the evaluation of systemic and local inflammatory response and examination of the biomechanical properties of explants. Results Surgisis and Pelvitex displayed the best cell growth in vitro. At 90 days in the rat model, rMSCs were related to a lower count of neutrophil cells for Pelvitex and a greater organisation and collagen amount for Surgisis. At 7 days Surgisis samples seeded with rMSCs displayed higher breaking force and stiffness. Conclusions The presence of rMSCs reduced the systemic inflammatory response on synthetic implants and improved collagen characteristics at the interface between biological grafts and native tissues. rMSCs enhanced the stripping force on biological explants.