A cost-effective and enhanced mesenchymal stem cell expansion platform with internal plasma-activated biofunctional interfaces

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) used for clinical applications require in vitro expansion to achieve therapeutically relevant numbers. However, conventional planar cell expansion approaches using tissue culture vessels are inefficient, costly, and can trigger MSC phenotypic and functional decline. Here we present a one-step dry plasma process to modify the internal surfaces of three-dimensional (3D) printed, high surface area to volume ratio (high-SA:V) porous scaffolds as platforms for stem cell expansion. To address the long-lasting challenge of uniform plasma treatment within the micrometre-sized pores of scaffolds, we developed a packed bed plasma immersion ion implantation (PBPI 3 ) technology by which plasma is ignited inside porous materials for homogeneous surface activation. COMSOL Multiphysics simulations support our experimental data and provide insights into the role of electrical field and pressure distribution in plasma ignition. Spatial surface characterisation inside scaffolds demonstrates the homogeneity of PBPI 3 activation. The PBPI 3 treatment induces radical-containing chemical structures that enable the covalent attachment of biomolecules via a simple, non-toxic, single-step incubation process. We showed that PBPI 3 -treated scaffolds biofunctionalised with fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) significantly promoted the expansion of MSCs, preserved cell phenoty

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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