Bacterial cellulose-based scaffold modified with anti-CD29 antibody to selectively capture urine-derived stem cells for bladder repair

Abstract

Acellular cellulose-based biomaterials hold promising potential for treating bladder injuries. However, the compromised cellular state surrounding the wound impedes the complete reconstruction of the bladder. This necessitates the development of a bio-instructive cellulose-based biomaterial that actively controls cell behavior to facilitate effective bladder regeneration. To develop such an advanced cell-free scaffold, a bacterial cellulose (BC) substrate is elaborately modified through layer-by-layer assembly of heparin and collagen (H/C), followed by glutaraldehyde crosslinking, resulting in a biomimetic nanofibrous scaffold with optimized mechanical properties and reduced salt crystal deposition. Critically, the scaffold is functionalized with anti-CD29 antibodies, enabling selective in situ capture of urine-derived stem cells (USCs) without compromising their viability. The (H/C)-modified BC scaffold exhibits exceptional swelling and extracellular matrix-like architecture, which mirrors the natural bladder environment. Fluorescent immunostaining confirms uniform antibody grafting, confirming the efficacy of this modified biomaterial in attracting and retaining USCs. Overall, this study introduces a BC-based scaffold that has been innovatively modified with CD29, enabling the selective capture of USCs from urine. This innovative acellular biomaterial represents a promising acellular strategy to address the challenges posed by compromised cellular conditions during bladder reconstruction, offering a novel avenue for regenerative bladder therapies.