Effects of Graphene Quantum Dots on the Osteogenic Differentiation of Stem Cells from Human Endometrial

Abstract

Background and aim: Cell therapy is important by means of a new method for repairing critical bone defects. On the other hand, graphene and its derivatives, including quantum-graphene particles (GQDs), have recently been considered as effective factors in cell differentiation, and evidence suggests that these particles may be effective in differentiating into bone cells. Therefore, the aim of the preswnt study was to determine the effect of graphene quantum dots on osteoblastic differentiation of human endometrial-derived stem cells.Methods: This is an experimental study that was conducted in 2019, in the cell culture research laboratory of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. After extraction of endometrial stem cells derived from human uterine tissue samples using collagenase enzyme and their purification, the cells were cultured in two groups, including the control group in standard osteogenic medium and the experimental group in the same medium of GQDs with a concentration of 50 Micrograms per milliliter was added. Data were then analyzed using rejection staining, alkaline phosphatase activity and gene expression by qRT-PCR. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Results:In the present study, for the first time, the results of the interaction between GQDs and endometrial derived stem cells were shown in in-vitro condition and and it was confirmed that the presence of GQDs in the osteogenic medium could lead to significant incrassation in osteogenic differentiation efficiency of endometrial cells. Actually, alkaline phosphatase activity and formation of calcium nodules (that are given more intensity by alizarin red) were significantly increased in the experimental group compared with the control group, which indicated previous and better activation of osteogenesis in the experimental group. These results were confirmed with the significant upregulation of phenotypically related osteogenic genes (Runx2, osteopontin, and osteocalcin) which were measured using a qRT-PCR technique. Conclusion:The results of the present study suggested that differentiation of uterine endometrial stem cells into bone cells in a standard osteogenic medium to which GQDs have been added could potentially be a practical method of increasing osteoblastic differentiation and cell therapy.