The effect of sodium metasilicate on the three-dimensional chondrogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells

Abstract

As a person ages, weight-bearing cartilage tissues tend to deteriorate, leading to chronic pain that affects the sufferer's quality of life and imposes an economic burden on the healthcare system 1) . Cartilage comprises an avascular tissue, with low stem/progenitor cell populations, making it difficult to repair damage; therefore, as a suitable therapy, cell transplantation to promote cell revival in the diseased cartilage tissue has been investigated; however, a lack of source cells is a limiting factor 2) . Current cell-based surgical repair strategies, for example implantation of autologous chondrocytes, could provide a cell source; however, donor site morbidity and the time taken for cell expansion from the very small donor source represent drawbacks 3) . Among the range of proposed cells with chondrogenic potential, adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the greatest potential. MSCs represent an autologous supply of cells that may be harvested from various sources, such as the synovial membrane, bone marrow, pericyte, adipose tissue, periosteum, peripheral blood, umbilical cord, and placenta 4) . Traditionally, chondrogenic media containing TGF-β, ascorbic acid, and dexamethasone or fluocinolone acetonide is used to induce MSC chondrogenesis 4,5) ; however, the chondrogenic potential of MSCs is still insufficient for clinical use 6) .In the human body, silica is an important nutrient that is vital for bone formation 7) . Silica can improve osteoblast function, inhibit osteoclast function, promote bone mineralization, and induce vascular formation 7,8) .

Ovine Mesenchymal Stem Cell Chondrogenesis on a Novel 3D-Printed Hybrid Scaffold In Vitro

“…In an earlier study, scaffold biodegradation in PBS promoted a silicon release as low as 2.7 µg/mL after 7 days [35]. Previously, Ren et al demonstrated that the addition of 200 ng/mL of sodium metasilicate (as a source of silica) to chondrogenic medium improved the expression of collagen II, aggrecan, the collagen type II/I ratio, the glycosaminoglycan contents, and the mechanical properties of mouse bone marrow scaffold-less 3D constructs [73]. However, while the osteogenic effects of silica have been extensively studied (increases osteoblast function, inhibits osteoclast function, promotes bone mineralisation, and induces vascular formation) [74], limited research has been conducted on the beneficial influence of silicon or silicate on chondrogenesis of stem cells.…”