ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of tissue interface stiffness change on the spreading, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), and to find the suitable stiffness range for stem cell differentiation.
MethodsBone marrow of male Sprague Dawley rats (4 weeks old) were selected to isolate and culture BMSCs by whole bone marrow cell adherent method. The third generation BMSCs (1×105 cells/mL) were inoculated into the ordinary culture dishes covered with polyacrylamide hydrophilic gel (PA) which elastic modulus was 1, 4, 10, 40, and 80 kPa (cells seeded on PA), and ordinary culture dish (75 MPa extreme high elastic modulus) as control. Spreading of cells in different stiffness of PA was observed under light microscope. The elastic modulus values of 4, 10, and 40 kPa PA were selected as groups A, B, and C respectively; the ordinary culture dish (75 MPa extreme high elastic modulus) was used as control group (group D). Cell counts was used to detect the growth conditions of BMSCs, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) kit to detect the concentration of ALP, alizarin red staining technique to detect calcium deposition status, and real-time quatitative PCR technique to detect the expressions of bone gla protein (BGP), Runx2, and collagen type I mRNA.
ResultsWith increased PA stiffness, BMSCs spreading area gradually increased, especially in 10 kPa and 40 kPa. At 1 and 2 days after culture, the growth rate showed no significant difference between groups (P > 0.05); at 3-5 days, the growth rate of groups B and C was significantly faster than that of groups A and D (P < 0.05), but difference was not statistically significant between groups A and D (P < 0.05); at 5 days, the proliferation of group C was significantly higher than that of group B (P < 0.05). ALP concentrations were (53.69±0.89), (97.30±1.57), (126.60±14.54), and (12.93±0.58) U/gprot in groups A, B, C, and D respectively; groups A, B, and C were significantly higher than group D, and group C was significantly higher than groups A and B (P < 0.05). Alizarin red staining showed that the percentages of calcium nodules was 20.07%±4.24% in group C; group C was significantly higher than groups A, B, and D (P < 0.05). The expression levels of BGP and collagen type I mRNA were significantly higher in groups A, B, and C than group D, and in group C than groups A and B (P < 0.05). The expression level of Runx2 mRNA was significantly higher in groups B and C than group D, and in group C than group B (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found between groups A and D (P > 0.05).
ConclusionPA elastic modulus of 10-40 kPa can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, and the higher the stiffness, the stronger the promoting effect.
Objective To investigate the effects of the recombinanthuman bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) and/or the osteogenic agents on proliferation and expression of the osteoblast phenotype differentiation of the SD rat mesenchymal stem cells（MSCs）. Methods The rat MSCs were cultured in vitro and were randomly divided into the experimental groups(Groups A-I) and the control group. In the experimental group, MSCs were induced by rhBMP2 in different doses (10, 50, 100 and 200 μg/L) in Groups BE, the osteogenic agent alone (Group A) and by the combined use of rhBMP-2 ［in different doses (10,50, 100 and 200 μg/L)］ and the osteogenic agent in Groups F-I. The MTT colorimetric assay was used to evaluate the proliferation, and the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OC) were observed at 3, 6, 9, 12 days, respectively. Results The inverted phase contrast microscopy showed that MSCs by primary culture for 12 hours were adhibited, with a fusiform shape at 48 hours. At 4 days they were polygonal or atractoid, and were spread gyrately or radiately at 6 days. At 10 days, they were spread at the bottom of the bottle.The statistical analysis showed that the expression of the osteoblast phenotype differentiation of MSCs could be induced in the experimental groups. The proliferation of MSCs could be enhanced in a dosedependent manner in GroupsB-E. The expression of the osteoblast phenotype differentiation, which was tested by the activities of ALP and OC, was significantly higher in Groups F-I than in Groups A-E. Conclusion The combined use of rhBMP-2 and the osteogenic agents can enhance the MSC proliferation and induce an expressionand maintenance of the osteoblast phenotype differentiation of the rat MSCs.
Objective Calcium phosphate bioceramics has a broad appl ication prospect because of good biocompatibil ity, but porous scaffolds with complex shape can not be prepared by the traditional methods. To fabricate porous calcium phosphate ceramics by rapid prototyping and to investigate the in vitro osteogenic activities. Methods The porous calcium phosphate ceramics was fabricated by rapid prototyping. The bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)were isolated from bone marrow of Beagle canine, and the 3rd passage BMSCs were seeded onto the porous ceramics. The cell/ceramics composite cultured in osteogenic medium were taken as the experimental group (group A) and the cell/ceramics composite cultured in growth medium were taken as the control group (group B). Meanwhile, the cells seeded on the culture plate were cultured in osteogenic medium or growth medium respectively as positive control (group C) or negative control (group D). After 1, 3, and 7 days of culture, the cell prol iferation and osteogenic differentiation on the porous ceramics were evaluated by DNA quantitative analysis, histochemical staining and alkal ine phosphatase (ALP) activity. After DiO fluorescent dye, the cell adhesion, growth, and prol iferation on the porous ceramics were also observed by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). Results DNA quantitative analysis results showed that the number of BMSCs in all groups increased continuously with time. Plateau phase was not obvious in groups A and B, but it was clearly observed in groups C and D. The CLSM observation indicated that the activity of BMSCs was good and the cells spread extensively, showing good adhesion and prol iferation on the porous calcium phosphate ceramics prepared by rapid prototyping. ALP quantitative analysis results showed that the stain of cells on the ceramics became deeper and deeper with time in groups A and B, the staining degree in group A were ber than that in group B. There was no significant difference in the change of the ALP activity among 4 groups at the first 3 days (P gt; 0.05); the ALP activity increased obviously in 4 groups at 7 days, group A was significantly higher than other groups (P lt; 0.05) and groups C, D were significantly higher than group D (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The porous calcium phosphate ceramics has good cytocompatibil ity and the designed pores are favorable for cell ingrowth. The porous ceramicsfabricated by rapid prototyping has prominent osteogenic differentiation activity and can be used as a choice of scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.
ObjectiveTo study the immunological properties of osteogenically differentiated umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSCs).
MethodsUCB-MSCs were isolated from the umbilical cord vein, and were expanded; the cells at passage 3 were osteogenically induced for 2 weeks in vitro. The expressions of human leukocyte antigen I (HLA-I) and HLA-Ⅱ molecules were observed by flow cytometry analysis before and after osteogenic induction. Peripheral blood T lymphocytes were isolated and cultured with osteoblastic induced or non-osteoblastic induced UCB-MSCs in different cell concentrations of 1×102, 1×103, 1×104, and 1×105 cells/well. The intake value of 3H-thymidine was calculated with luminescence counter. Then T lymphocytes were pretreated with PHA, and co-cultured with osteoblastic induced and non-osteoblastic induced UCB-MSCs as described above. IL-2 was further added to test the reversed effect of T lymphocytes proliferation stimulated by UCB-MSCs. Finally, to investigate whether the immunomodulatory effects on T lymphocytes proliferation depend on direct or indirect cell contact, the Transwell chamber culture system of UCB-MSCs and T lymphocytes was established.
ResultsFlow cytometry analysis showed that non-osteoblastic induced UCB-MSCs expressed HLA-I but did not express HLA-Ⅱ; the expression of HLA-Ⅱ increased in osteoblastic induced UCB-MSCs. No T lymphocyte response was stimulated by non-osteoblastic induced UCB-MSCs, but osteoblastic induced UCB-MSCs could stimulate the proliferation of allogeneic T lymphocytes, especially after IFN-γ treatment. Non-osteoblastic induced UCB-MSCs of 1×104 and 1×105 cells/well could suppress the proliferation of T lymphocytes evoked by PHA, and this suppression could be reversed by the addition of IL-2. While osteoblastic induced UCB-MSCs did not have such suppressive effect. The results of the Transwell culture system also showed that non-osteoblastic induced UCB-MSCs could obviously inhibit the proliferation of T lymphocytes, but the osteoblastic induced UCB-MSCs could not.
ConclusionThe immunological properties of UCB-MSCs will change accordingly after osteogenic induction, so UCB-MSCs might not be suitable for the seed cells of bone tissue engineering.
Objective To evaluate the adhesion, prol iferation and osteogenic differentiation of rabbit BMSCs after cultured on freeze-dried demineral ized bone matrix (FDBM) modified with type II cadherin ectodomain (Cad- II). Methods BMSCs isolated from 10 Japanese white rabbits (male and female, 4-week-old, 0.61-0.88 kg) were cultured. The second generation of BMSCs (cell density 1 × 106 /mL) were seeded onto the Cad-II modified allogenic FDBM (experimental group) and only FDBM (control group) respectively, and then cocultured in vitro. The densities of seeded cells, the adhesion rate and their ALP activity were measured. The complex was observed through inverted phase contrast microscope and scanning electron microscope to evaluate the interaction between cells and FDBM. Another group of second generation of BMSCs (cell density 5 × 105 /mL) were seeded onto the Cad-II modified FDBM (experimental group) and only FDBM (control group) respectively, and then cocultured in vitro too. The ALP activity and osteocalcin immunohistochemical was measured. Results There was no significant difference in cell prol iferation between experimental group and control group. The adhesion rate of cells in the experimental group was 87.41% ± 5.19%, higher than that in the the control group 35.56% ± 1.75% (P lt; 0.01); the densities of seeded cells reached 5.0 × 105, showing significant difference compared with the control group (2.6 × 104, P lt; 0.05). Inverted phase contrast microscope showed that in the experimental group, more cultured BMSCs pasted in the hole and edge of the scaffold than that in the control group. HE staining showed the densities of seeded cells in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group. Scanning electron microscope showed that in the experimental group, a lot of cultured BMSCs adhered, spreaded in the scaffold, in the control group only a few BMSCs unevenly distributed in the scaffold. After 7 days of culture, the cultured BMSCs on modified FDBM expressed higher ALP activity; after 14 days of culture, the ALP activity (29.33 ± 1.53) was higher than that cultured on unmodified FDBM (18.31 ± 1.32), the positive rates of osteocucl in were 83% ± 7% in the experimental group and 56% ± 7% in the control group, showing significant difference (P lt; 0.01). Conclusion Cad-II enhanced cell adhesion to FDBM and promoted BMSCs differentiate to osteoblast, but no obvious effects were observed in cell prol iferation.
Objective As one of the adult stem cells, adi pose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have become an important seed cell source for tissue engineering recently. But whether the thawed cryopreserved ADSCs could be used to tissue engineered bone remains unknown. To investigate the effect of cryopreservation on the growth and osteogenesis of ADSCs invitro. Methods The ADSCs were isolated from the adipose aspirates by collagenase digestion method. For the experimental group, the 2nd generation cells were stored with a simple method of cryopreservation by slow cool ing with dimethyl sulphoxide as a cryoprotectant and rapid thawing. After cryopreserved in l iquid nitrogen for 4 weeks, ADSCs were recovered and cultured in osteogenic media, with non-cryopreserved ADSCs as the control group. The osteogenic differentiation was evaluated by alkal ine phosphatase (ALP) staining and Al izarin red O staining at 2 and 3 weeks respectively. The cell growth and osteogenesis of ADSCs were further determined using DNA assay and the ALP activity and calcium content were measured. Results The survival percentage of the cryopreserved cells was 90.44% ± 2.62%. The cell numbers and ALP activity increased with osteogenic induction time, and reach plateaus at 7 days and 11 days, respectively. The ALP staining and Al izarin red O staining results were both positive at 2 weeks and 3 weeks after osteogenic induction, respectively. And no significant difference in the cells number, ALP activity, and calcium content were found between experimental group and control group (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Cryopreservation does not affect the growth and osteogenesis of ADSCs, and the cryopreserved ADSCs can be used as cell source for tissue engineered bone.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of cyclic stretch stress on the osteogenic differentiation of human cartilage endplate-derived stem cells (CESCs).
MethodsCESCs were isolated from the endplate cartilage tissues by the method of agarose suspension culture system. The endplate cartilage tissue was harvested for immunohistochemical staining. Flexercell-4000TM Tension Plus system was used to apply cyclic stretch on CESCs at a frequency of 1 Hz and at a stretch rate of 10% for 1, 6, 12, or 24 hours (experimental group). No stretch stress was performed on CESCs in the same culture condition (control group). After mechanical loading, the protein expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) was measured by Western blot, and gene expressions of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and SOX9 were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.
ResultsImmunohistochemical staining showed BMP-2 protein expression in chondrocytes. The continuous cyclic stretch stress of 10% can increase the expression of BMP-2 protein in CESCs. Significant differences were observed in the expressions of BMP-2 protein (P<0.05) between 2 groups at the other time points except at 1 hour (P>0.05), in a time-dependent manner. The real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR indicated that the gene expressions of Runx2 and ALP showed an increasing tendency with time in the experimental group when compared with the control group, but there was down-regulated expression of SOX9. Significant difference was found in mRNA expressions of Runx2 and ALP at 12 and 24 hours and in mRNA expressions of SOX9 at 6, 12, and 24 hours between 2 groups (P<0.05), in a time-dependent manner.
ConclusionCyclic stretch stress may induce osteogenic differentiation of CESCs by regulating the expressions of some genes related osteogenesis in CESCs.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress of the effects and mechanisms of Hedgehog signaling pathway in regulating bone formation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs).
MethodsThe related literature concerning the regulations and mechanism of Hedgehog signaling pathway in osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and bone formation in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo studies in recent years was analyzed and summarized.
ResultsThe in vitro studies indicate that Hedgehog signaling pathway can promote osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs via activation of key molecules Smoothened (Smo) and Gli1 which are downstream of Hedgehog signaling, and Hedgehog signaling can activate mTORC2-Akt signaling by upregulation of insulin-like growth factor which has similar effects. Hedgehog signaling regulates osteoblast differentiation via activation of Hh-Smo-Ptch1-Gli signaling pathway and inhibition of Hh-Gαi-RhoA stress fibre signaling. Hedgehog signaling can regulate key molecules of osteogenesis Runx2 for promoting osteogenic differentiation and matrix mineralization by synergism of bone morphogenetic protein and Wnt signaling, and promotes bone formation and repair and healing for bone defect and bone graft model in vivo.
ConclusionHedgehog signaling can regulate bone formation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs via activation of Hedgehog signaling and other signaling pathways. Hedgehog signaling pathway may be a potential target for developing treatment for bone related diseases of osteoporosis and fracture healing disorders.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of recombinant adenovirus-mediated bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP-9) and erythropoietin (EPO) genes co-transfection on osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in vitro.
MethodsThe inguinal adipose tissue was harvested from 4-month-old New Zealand rabbits, ADSCs were isolated with enzyme digestion and adherence method, and multipotent differentiation capacity was identified. The 3rd generation ADSCs were divided into 5 groups: normal cells (group A), empty plasmid control group (group B), BMP-9 or EPO recombinant adenovirus transfected cells (groups C and D), BMP-9 and EPO recombinant adenovirus co-transfected cells (group E). The inverted phase contrast microscope was used to observe the cell growth at 7 days; the expression of cell fluorescence was observed under a fluorescence microscope at 14 days, and viral transfection efficiency was calculated at 48 hours; Western blot was used to detect the expressions of BMP-9 and EPO proteins at 14 days. The expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was detected at 3, 7, and 14 days after osteogenic induction, and alizarin red staining was used to detect calcium nodules formation and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR to detect the expressions of osteopontin (OPN) and osteocalcin (OCN) at 3 weeks.
ResultsAt 7 days after transfected, some cells showed oval, round, and irregular shape under the inverted phase contrast microscope in groups A and B; a few fusiform cells were observed in groups C and D; oval cells increased obviously, and there were only few round cells in group E. The fluorescence microscope observation showed that BMP-9 and EPO, BMP-9/EPO recombinant adenovirus could stably transfected ADSCs, with transfection efficiency of 80%-93%. The expressions of BMP-9 and EPO proteins significantly higher in group E than the other groups by Western blot (P < 0.05). The ALP activity significantly increased in group E when compared with that in the other groups at 3, 7, and 14 days after osteogenic induction (P < 0.05); the number of calcium nodules in group E was significantly more than that in the other groups (P < 0.05). Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR showed that OPN and OCN genes expressions were significantly higher in group E than other groups (P < 0.05), and in groups C and D than groups A and B (P < 0.05).
ConclusionRecombinant adenovirus-mediated BMP-9 and EPO genes can transfect ADSCs, which can stably express in ADSCs, BMP-9/EPO genes co-transfection can more promote the expressions of osteoblast-related genes and protein than non-transfected and single gene transfection.
ObjectiveTo investigate the specific microRNA (miRNA) in osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiations of C3H10T1/2 cells.
MethodsC3H10T1/2 cells were induced to differentiate into osteoblasts and chondrocytes.Specific miRNA more than 2 fold change and 2 average normalized probe signal between C3H10T1/2 and C3H10T1/2-derived osteoblast,and between C3H10T1/2 and C3H10T1/2-derived chondrocytes were screened out by miRNA microarray,and verified by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR).
ResultsAlkaline phosphatase expression of osteogenic induced group was significantly higher than that of control group at 7 days after induced (P<0.05).RT-qPCR results showed the expressions of Runx2,serine protease (Sp7),collagen type I,and osteopontin (OPN) genes were significantly increased at 7,14,and 21 days after induced when compared with before induced (P<0.05).Western blot results showed the expressions of Runx2,Sp7,collagen type I,and OPN proteins of osteogenic induced group were significantly higher than those of control group at 21 days after induced (P<0.05).The expressions of SOX9,collagen type Ⅱ,Aggrecan,and Has2 were significantly increased at 5,10,and 15 days after induced when compared with before induced (P<0.05).The expressions of SOX9,collagen type 2,Aggrecan,and Has2 proteins of chondrogenic induced group were significantly higher than those of control group at 15 days after induced (P<0.05).Totally,10 osteogenic and 3 chondrogenic miRNA more than 2 fold change and 2 average normalized probe signal were screened out by miRNA microarray.RT-qPCR results of these specific miRNAs were similar to microarray results except miR-455-3p.
ConclusionSpecific miRNAs are screened out by microarray and it is a good foundation for the future study on miRNA functional verification and target gene prediction.
