Background: Due to its good cell attachment capabilities and promotion of cell migration, fibrin serves as an interim cell-binding matrix in wounded tissues. Due to their fast degradation, unprocessed fibrin matrices have limited use in tissue engineering.
Objective: To describe stable fibrin-based matrices for isolation, growth and delivery of stem cells for implantation to enhance tissue regeneration.
Methods: Fibrin microbeads (FMB) were produced by moderate-heat condensation of fibrin particles in oil without compromising the cell binding capability of the fibrin.
Results: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were separated from different sources at much higher yields with FMB. They were further expanded on them in suspension without trypsinization and passages. Cells on FMB could be induced to differentiate into different phenotypes, such as bone and cartilage. This enabled implantation of the cells on FMB for cell-based tissue regeneration.
Conclusions: FMB technology provides a simple and effective method for cell separation, expansion in suspension and delivery for tissue regeneration.