Marrow-derived cells populate scaffolds composed of xenogeneic extracellular matrix

Introduction. The source of cells that participate in wound repair directly affects outcome. The extracellular matrix (ECM) and other acellular biomat erials have been used as therapeutic scaffolds for cell attachment and prol iferation and as templates for tissue repair. The ECM consists of structura l and functional proteins that influence cell attachment, gene expression p atterns, and the differentiation of cells. Objective. The objective of this study was to determine if the composition of acellular matrix scaffolds affects the recruitment of bone marrow-derive d cellular elements that populate the scaffolds in vivo. Methods. Scaffolds composed of porcine tissue ECM, purified Type I collagen , poly(L)lactic coglycolic acid (PLGA), or a mixture of porcine ECM and PLG A were implanted into subcutaneous pouches on the dorsum of mice. The origi n of cells that populated the matrices was determined by first performing b one marrow transplantation to convert the marrow of glucose phosphate isome rase 1b (Gpi-1(b)) mice to cells expressing glucose phosphate isomerase 1a (Gpi-1(a)). Results. A significant increase in Gpi-1(a) expressing cells was present in sites implanted with the porcine ECM compared to sites implanted with eith er Type I collagen or PLGA. Use of recipient mice transplanted with marrow cells that expressed beta -galactosidase confirmed that the majority of cel ls that populated and remodeled the naturally occurring porcine ECM were ma rrow derived. Addition of porcine ECM to the PLGA scaffold caused a signifi cant increase in the number of marrow-derived cells that became part of the remodeled implant site. Conclusion. The composition of bioscaffolds affects the cellular recruitmen t pattern during tissue repair. ECM scaffolds facilitate the recruitment of marrow-derived cells into sites of remodeling. (C) 2001 International Soci ety for Experimental Hematology. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.