Collagen-mesenchymal stem cell spheroids in suspension promote high adipogenic capacity

Abstract

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) represent a unique and promising platform because of their ability to promote soft tissue regeneration, particularly their ability to differentiate into adipocytes, which are important for adipose tissue regeneration. In this context, type I collagen is the most abundant extracellular matrix component of adipose tissue and can act as a natural spheroid source to support the differentiation process of stem cells. However, spheroids based on collagen and hMSCs without pro-angiogenic factors that can induce adipogenesis have not yet been investigated. In this study, we focused on developing collagen-hMSC spheroids capable of differentiating into adipocyte-like cells in a short time (eight culture days) without adipogenic factors, with potential applications in adipose tissue repair. The physical and chemical properties of the spheroids indicated successful cross-linking of collagen. Upon spheroid development, stability, cell viability, and metabolic activity of the constructs were maintained. During adipogenesis, cell morphology shows significant changes, in which cells change from a fibroblast-like shape to an adipocyte-like shape, and adipogenic gene expression after eight days of cell culture. These results support the utility of collagen-hMSC 3 mg mL-1 collagen concentration spheroids to differentiate into adipocyte-like cells in a short time without adverse effects on biocompatibility, metabolic activity, or cell morphology, suggesting that this construct may be used in soft tissue engineering.

Functionalized Collagen/Poly(ethylene glycol) Diacrylate Interpenetrating Network Hydrogel Enhances Beta Pancreatic Cell Sustenance

“…This is in agreement with previous analyses, which stated that pores have a profound impact on the fate of encapsulated cells [ 54 ]. The degree of functionalization with VEGF enhanced the cell viability and did not alter the stability or elasticity of the hydrogels in a concentration-dependent manner [ 55 ]. Indeed, there was a decrease in stress relaxation in the collagen/PEGDA IPN matrix at 2 mg/mL compared to that at higher collagen concentrations, as reported previously [ 16 , 17 ].…”