Macromolecule Biomaterials Promote the Osteogenic Differentiation Capacity of Equine Adipose -Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p><jats:bold>Background:</jats:bold> Combination of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and biomaterials is a rapidly growing approach in regenerative medicine particularly for chronic degenerative disorders including osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. In the present study, the effect of biomaterial bone substitutes on equine adipose derived MSCs morphology, viability, adherence, migration and osteogenic differentiation were investigated. <jats:bold>Methods:</jats:bold> MSCs were cultivated in conjunction with collagen CultiSpher-S Microcarrier (MC), nanocomposite xerogels B30 and B30Str biomaterials in osteogenic differentiate medium either under static or mechanical fluid shear stress (FSS) culture conditions. The data were generated by histological means, life cell imaging, cell viability, adherence and migration assays. Osteogenic differentiation was detected by semi-quantification of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, matrix mineralization using Alizarin Red S (ARS) staining and quantification of the osteogenic markers; runt related transcription factor 2 (<jats:italic>Runx2)</jats:italic> and alkaline phosphatase (<jats:italic>ALP)</jats:italic> expression using RT-qPCR. All data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA. <jats:bold>Results</jats:bold>: The data revealed that combined mechanical stress with MC but not B30 enhanced MSCs viability and promoted their migration. Combined osteogenic medium with MC, B30 and B30Str increased ALP activity compared to cultivation in basal medium. Osteogenic induction with MC, B30 and B30Str resulted in diffused matrix mineralization by means of ARS. FSS increased the viability in the presence of the osteogenic medium with MC but not B30 or B30Str. FSS enhanced osteogenic differentiation in the presence of B30Str. Upregulation of <jats:italic>Runx2</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>ALP</jats:italic> expression was detected with osteogenic differentiation together with B30 and B30Str regardless of static or FSS culture. <jats:bold>Conclusions:</jats:bold> Taken together, the data revealed that FSS in conjunction with biomaterials promoted osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. This combination may be considered as a marked improvement for clinical applications to cure bone defects.</jats:p>