Inflammatory Modulation of Polyethylene Glycol-AuNP for Regulation of the Neural Differentiation Capacity of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract

A nanocomposite composed of polyethylene glycol (PEG) incorporated with various concentrations (~17.4, ~43.5, ~174 ppm) of gold nanoparticles (Au) was created to investigate its biocompatibility and biological performance in vitro and in vivo. First, surface topography and chemical composition was determined through UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), free radical scavenging ability, and water contact angle measurement. Additionally, the diameters of the PEG-Au nanocomposites were also evaluated through dynamic light scattering (DLS) assay. According to the results, PEG containing 43.5 ppm of Au demonstrated superior biocompatibility and biological properties for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as well as superior osteogenic differentiation, adipocyte differentiation, and, particularly, neuronal differentiation. Indeed, PEG-Au 43.5 ppm induced better cell adhesion, proliferation and migration in MSCs. The higher expression of the SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis may be associated with MMPs activation and may have also promoted the differentiation capacity of MSCs. Moreover, it also prevented MSCs from apoptosis and inhibited macrophage and platelet activation, as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory, biocompatibility, and endothelialization capacity of PEG-Au was measured in a rat model. After implanting the nanocomposites into rats subcutaneously for 4 weeks, PEG-Au 43.5 ppm was able to enhance the anti-immune response through inhibiting CD86 expression (M1 polarization), while also reducing leukocyte infiltration (CD45). Moreover, PEG-Au 43.5 ppm facilitated CD31 expression and anti-fibrosis ability. Above all, the PEG-Au nanocomposite was evidenced to strengthen the differentiation of MSCs into various cells, including fat, vessel, and bone tissue and, particularly, nerve cells. This research has elucidated that PEG combined with the appropriate amount of Au nanoparticles could become a potential biomaterial able to cooperate with MSCs for tissue regeneration engineering.

Neural Differentiation Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Enhanced by Biocompatible Chitosan-Gold Nanocomposites

“…Next, 20 μL of DEPC-treated H 2 O was loaded into the samples, while the data were analyzed at 260 nm by a ELISA reader (SpectraMax M2, Molecular Devices, San Jose, CA, USA. RevertAid TM First Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit (Fermentas, Burlington, ON, Canada) was applied for cDNA synthesis following the manufacturer’s instructions, as described in previous research [ 44 ]. The RNA expression in MSCs with various treatments was identified by Step One TM Plus Real-Time PCR System.…”

Engineered Pullulan-Collagen-Gold Nano Composite Improves Mesenchymal Stem Cells Neural Differentiation and Inflammatory Regulation

“…The synthetic polymer, polyethylene glycol (PEG), was combined with Au nanoparticles. The results indicated the surface modification of Au nanoparticles on the PEG film significantly improved biological performance and biocompatibility [ 75 ]. The above evidence indicates that nanoparticles such as gold and silver could enhance the functions of biomaterials.…”

The applications of nanozymes in cancer therapy: based on regulating pyroptosis, ferroptosis and autophagy of tumor cells

“…The nanoparticles coated with PEG, such as the gold (Au) nanoparticles coated with PEG (PEG-Au), display enhanced superior biocompatibility and biological properties. 101 In addition to polymer coatings, proteins such as serum albumin are also used as biocompatible agents for nanozymes surface engineering to avoid non-specific protein uptake (such as protein corona) and immune clearance such as mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS). 102 For example, Li et al modified doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded liposomes (Lip/DOX) with an albumin-binding domain (ABD) to prepare albumin-based protein coronal nanoparticles (ABD-Lip/DOX) for targeted tumor therapy.…”