Repopulation of multipotent stem cells derived from adult male rabbits on a polycaprolactone scaffold: an in vitro study

ABSTRACT Background: MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells) are multipotent, spindle-shaped cells that give them the ability to differentiate into a broad lineage of tissues. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a synthetic material that has been used several times for the fabrication of scaffolds to be utilized in the field of tissue engineering. Aim of the work: The main goal of this research is to develop a protocol for isolating, cultivating, and characterizing rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), as well as to investigate their capacity to repopulate PCL scaffolds. Results: In Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) supplied with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), BMSCs were successfully isolated, cultivated, and grown. The cells were characterized morphologically by their spindle-shape, processes of cytoplasmic, plastic adhesion tendencies, and formation of colonies. They were characterized by flowcytometric analysis as having a positive CD73 expression and a negative CD45 expression. Before cell seeding, the PCL scaffold was inspected under a scanning electron microscope to assess the PCL material characteristics and pour size, and after cell seeding to detect BMSC attachments to the scaffold. Conclusion: The protocol used in this investigation was effective for isolation, culture, and characterization of rabbit BMSCs and the cells that were obtained successfully repopulated the PCL scaffold.