Acellular Bioactive Scaffold Device and Methods of Fabrication and Treatment Relating Thereto

Abstract

An implantable acellular polymeric scaffold device functionalized with aggrecan is provided. Also provided are methods of fabricating a polymeric scaffold device, including methods of fabricating the scaffold device via 3D printing. Methods of treating a cartilage defect in a subject in need thereof comprise application of the disclosed scaffold device in combination with microfracture procedures. A specialized lid for a centrifugation well plate is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a cartilage defect in a subject, comprising the steps of:
 creating an opening(s) in a subchondral bone in the subject underlying the cartilage defect and into bone marrow thereof to permit release of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from the bone marrow; and   applying an acellular polymeric scaffold functionalized with aggrecan onto the cartilage defect, thereby guiding the MSCs released from the bone marrow through the openings and into the scaffold.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of creating the opening(s) comprises a microfracture procedure. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising the step of fabricating the scaffold from a composition comprising poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL). 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising the step of fabricating the scaffold via three-dimensional (3D) printing. 
     
     
         5 . A well plate lid comprising a base and a plurality of wells extending outwardly therefrom, said plurality of wells receivable in correspondingly configured wells of a cell-culture plate. 
     
     
         6 . The well plate lid of  claim 5 , wherein said plurality of wells of said lid are releasably securable in said wells of said cell-culture plate via interference fit. 
     
     
         7 . The well plate lid of  claim 5 , wherein at least one well of said plurality of wells of said lid comprises a retaining member extending outwardly from an interior sidewall of said well, wherein said retaining member extends between opposing surfaces of said interior sidewall. 
     
     
         8 . The well plate lid of  claim 7 , wherein said retaining member has a generally cross-shaped configuration in plan view. 
     
     
         9 . A centrifugation system comprising the well plate lid of  claim 5 , and a correspondingly configured cell-culture well plate.