Enhanced Proliferation and Accelerated Adipogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells via Fe3O4-Insulin Conjugates Stimulation

Abstract

The culture of human Umbilical Cord derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (UC-MSCs), as well as the control of its differentiation toward different tissue lineages, is a very important part of regenerative medicine. In the present work, a systematic study of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles and its insulin conjugates for growth and differentiation of UC-MSCs were carried out for the first time. The cell viability assay was performed using a number of analytical methods including MTT assay and cumulative population doubling time assay. Fe 3 O 4 -insulin conjugates were prepared and used for UC-MSC adipogenic differentiation. Results showed that the strong ability of Fe 3 O 4 -insulin conjugates allow it to act as a preconcentration platform for adipogenic induction, which accelerates MSC growing on it toward the adipogenic lineage. It was also found that the Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles had no effect on UC-MSC cellular phenotype. This work demonstrates that the biological activity of insulin is not affected when conjugated to Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles, which would help to enhance the growth and adipogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.