A calcium-induced signaling cascade leading to osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells

The response of osteoprogenitors to calcium (Ca(2+)) is of primary interest for both normal bone homeostasis and the clinical field of bone regeneration. The latter makes use of calcium phosphate-based bone void fillers to heal bone defects, but it is currently not known how Ca(2+) released from these ceramic materials influences cells in situ. Here, we have created an in vitro environment with high extracellular Ca(2+) concentration and investigated the response of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) to it. Ca(2+) enhanced proliferation and morphological changes in hMSCs. Moreover, the expression of osteogenic genes is highly increased. A 3-fold up-regulation of BMP-2 is observed after only 6h and pharmaceutical interference with a number of proteins involved in Ca(2+) sensing showed that not the calcium sensing receptor, but rather type L voltage-gated calcium channels are involved in mediating the signaling pathway between extracellular Ca(2+) and BMP-2 expression. MEK1/2 activity is essential for the effect of Ca(2+) and using microarray analysis, we have identified c-Fos as an early Ca(2+) response gene. We have demonstrated that hMSC osteogenesis can be induced via extracellular Ca(2+), a simple and economic way of priming hMSCs for bone tissue engineering applications.     

Effects of tricalcium silicate cements on osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in vitro

Tricalcium silicate cements have been successfully employed in the biomedical field as bioactive bone and dentin substitutes, with widely acclaimed osteoactive properties. This research analyzed the effects of different tricalcium silicate cement formulations on the temporal osteoactivity profile of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMW-MSCs). These cells were exposed to four commercially available tricalcium silicate cement formulations in osteogenic differentiation medium. After 1, 3, 7 and 10 days, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were performed to detect expression of the target osteogenic markers ALP, RUNX2, OSX, OPN, MSX2 and OCN. After 3, 7, 14 and 21 days, alkaline phosphatase assay was performed to detect changes in intracellular enzyme level. An Alizarin Red S assay was performed after 28 days to detect extracellular matrix mineralization. In the presence of tricalcium silicate cements, target osteogenic markers were downregulated at the mRNA and protein levels at all time points. Intracellular alkaline phosphatase enzyme levels and extracellular mineralization of the experimental groups were not significantly different from the untreated control. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction results showed increases in downregulation of RUNX2, OSX, MSX2 and OCN with increasing time of exposure to the tricalcium silicate cements, while ALP showed peak downregulation at day 7. For Western blotting, OSX, OPN, MSX2 and OCN showed increased downregulation with increased exposure time to the tested cements. Alkaline phosphatase enzyme levels generally declined after day 7. Based on these results, it is concluded that tricalcium silicate cements do not induce osteogenic differentiation of hBM-MSCs in vitro.     

Human term placenta-derived mesenchymal stromal cells are less prone to osteogenic differentiation than bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) can be isolated from different tissues. They are capable of differentiating in vitro, for example, to osteoblasts, chondrocytes, or adipocytes. In contrast to CD34 for hematopoietic stem cells, a distinct MSC-defining antibody is not available. Further, for hematopoietic cells lineage-defining antigens such as CD3 or CD20 are known. In contrast, for MSC-derived cells lineage-associated cell surface markers are far from being established. We therefore investigated expression of cell surface antigens on human term placenta-derived MSC (pMSC) in more detail and correlated expression pattern to the osteogenic differentiation capacity of the MSC. We report that pMSC expressed the typical cell surface antigens at levels comparable to bone marrow-derived MSC (bmMSC), including CD73, CD90, and CD105, but did not express CD11b, CD34, and CD45. Further, CD164, TNAP, and the W5C5 antigens were detected on pMSC, whereas CD349 was not observed. Some pMSC expressed CD146 at low or moderate levels, and their osteogenic differentiation potential was weak. In contrast, bmMSC expressed CD146 at high levels, expression of alkaline phosphatase was significantly higher, and they presented a pronounced osteogenic differentiation potential. We conclude that MSC from different sources differ in their expression of distinct markers, and that this may correlate in part with their lineage determination. Thus, a higher percentage of bmMSC expressed CD146 at prominent levels and such cells may be better suited for bone repair. In contrast, many pMSC expressed CD146 at low or moderate levels. They, therefore, may be suitable for applications in which osteogenic differentiation is undesirable.     

Bioreactor expansion of human adult bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Supplementation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) during hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation alleviates complications such as graft-versus-host disease, leading to a speedy recovery of hematopoiesis. To meet this clinical demand, a fast MSC expansion method is required. In the present study, we examined the feasibility of using a rotary bioreactor system to expand MSCs from isolated bone marrow mononuclear cells. The cells were cultured in a rotary bioreactor with Myelocult medium containing a combination of supplementary factors, including stem cell factor and interleukin-3 and -6. After 8 days of culture, total cell numbers, Stro-1(+)CD44(+)CD34(-) MSCs, and CD34(+)CD44(+)Stro-1(-) HSCs were increased 9-, 29-, and 8-fold, respectively. Colony-forming efficiency-fibroblast per day of the bioreactor-treated cells was 1.44-fold higher than that of the cells without bioreactor treatment. The bioreactor-expanded MSCs showed expression of primitive MSC markers endoglin (SH2) and vimentin, whereas markers associated with lineage differentiation, including osteocalcin (osteogenesis), type II collagen (chondrogenesis), and C/EBP-alpha (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-alpha) (adipogenesis), were not detected. Upon induction, the bioreactor-expanded MSCs were able to differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes. We conclude that the rotary bioreactor with the modified Myelocult medium reported in this study may be used to rapidly expand MSCs.     

Chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiations of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on a nanofibrous scaffold with designed pore network

The utilization of 3D scaffolds and stem cells is a promising approach to solve the problem of bone and cartilage tissue shortage and to construct osteochondral (cartilage/bone composite) tissues. In this study, 3D highly porous nanofibrous (NF) poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) scaffolds fabricated using a phase separation technique were seeded with multi-potent human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and the constructs were induced along osteogenic and chondrogenic development routes in vitro. Histological analysis and calcium content quantification showed that NF scaffolds supported in vitro bone differentiation. SEM observation showed an altered shape for cells cultured on an NF matrix compared with those on smooth films. Consistent with the morphological change, the gene expression of early chondrogenic commitment marker Sox-9 was enhanced on the NF matrix. NF scaffolds were then used to support long-term in vitro 3D cartilaginous development. It was found that in the presence of TGF-β1, cartilage tissue developed on PLLA NF scaffolds, with the cartilage-specific gene expressed, glycosaminoglycan and type II collagen accumulated, and typical cartilage morphology formed. These findings suggest that NF scaffolds can support both bone and cartilage development and are excellent candidate scaffolds for osteochondral defect repair.     

Matrix-mediated retention of in vitro osteogenic differentiation potential and in vivo bone-forming capacity by human adult bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells during ex vivo expansion

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent an attractive cell source for tissue engineering applications, since they are readily isolated from adult bone marrow and have the ability to differentiate along multiple mesenchymal lineages, including osteogenic. Currently, utilization of MSCs for bone tissue engineering is limited because of the attenuation of their osteogenic differentiation potential and in vivo bone-forming capacity following ex vivo expansion on conventional tissue culture plastic (TCP). Previously, we demonstrated that a denatured type I collagen (DC) matrix promotes the maintenance of MSC in vitro osteogenic differentiation potential during ex vivo expansion in contrast to TCP. In this study, we further demonstrate that the maintenance of MSC osteogenic differentiation potential is primarily due to the ability of DC matrix to influence the retention of early passage osteogenic functions in late passage (LP) cells during ex vivo expansion, in contrast to solely enhancing attenuated LP cellular functions during osteogenic differentiation. Serum-associated factors played a significant role in influencing the retention of MSC osteogenic differentiation potential during expansion on the DC matrix. Significantly, the results show that although LP cells expanded ex vivo on TCP highly attentuate their in vivo bone-forming capacity, the expansion of MSCs on DC matrix preserves this ability as determined by histological, histomorphometric, and bone mineral density evaluations of MSC-seeded hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate scaffolds following an 8-week implantation period within a heterotopic muscle pouch model. These findings provide further insight into the importance of matrix-mediated effects on MSC function and selective factors important in this process.     

Expansion and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on a vitamin C functionalized polymer

In human body ascorbic acid plays an essential role in the synthesis and function of skeletal tissues and immune system factors. Ascorbic acid is also a major physiological antioxidant, repairing oxidatively damaged biomolecules, preventing the formation of excessive reactive oxygen species or scavenging these species. We recently reported the synthesis of ascorbic acid-functionalized polymers in which the antioxidant features of the pendant ascorbic acid groups was preserved. In the present work we demonstrate that ascorbic acid-functionalized poly(methyl methacrylate) (AA-PMMA) can modulate the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of early and late-passage bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The covalently coupled ascorbic acid impacted MSCs differently than when ascorbic acid was presented to the cells in soluble form. At optimal concentration, the covalently coupled ascorbic acid and soluble ascorbic acid synergistically promoted and retained the ability of MSCs to respond to osteogenic stimulation over extensive cell expansions in vitro. In the presence of soluble ascorbic acid, AA-PMMA films prepared at optimal concentrations (0.1 mg/ml in the present study) showed a significant promotive effect over other concentrations and tissue culture plastic (TCP) with respect to osteogenic differentiation of both EP (young) and LP (old) MSCs. These results suggest that the coupled ascorbic acid is acting mainly at the extracellular level and, at optimal concentrations, the immobilized extracellular ascorbic acid and soluble ascorbic acid synergistically promote osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. Importantly, the covalently coupled ascorbic acid on the films of optimal concentration was able to preserve the capacity of MSCs to undergo osteogenic differentiation in vitro. These results suggest an important role for functionalized biomaterials with antioxidant features in control of cell physiology and cell aging phenomena.     

骨髓间充质干细胞在纳米晶胶原基骨内生长以及成骨潜能

背景：纳米晶胶原基骨修复材料是根据仿生原理制备的纳米骨框架材料,其微结构和成分两方面都与天然骨有相似性 ,具有良好的生物相容性。 目的：研究兔骨髓间充质干细胞与纳米晶胶原基骨修复材料体外复合培养的结合程度,以及构建组织工程骨的可行性。 方法：分离兔骨髓间充质干细胞,体外培养、纯化,取第3代骨髓间充质干细胞与纳米晶胶原基骨修复材料体外复合培养,第3,7,20天后激光共聚焦和扫描电镜观察二者复合程度。 结果与结论：骨髓间充质干细胞和纳米晶胶原基骨修复材料复合良好,共聚焦显微镜和环境扫描电镜观察均可见细胞生长;纳米晶胶原基骨修复材料能够作为良好的支架,它能使骨髓间充质干细胞在其内稳定生长。提示骨髓间充质干细胞在纳米晶胶原基骨修复材料内能很好的生长,并且具有成骨潜能。     

Xenogenic bone matrix extracts induce osteoblastic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Colloss and Colloss-E are sterile acellular lyophilizates extracted from bovine and equine bone matrix, respectively. Animal and clinical studies have shown that these xenogenic bone matrix extracts (BMEs) are effective as bone graft substitutes. In this report, we investigated the effect of Colloss and Colloss-E on human adult in vitro-expanded bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs). Specifically, we assessed whether these xenogenic BMEs induced osteoblastic differentiation of cultured BMMSC. We show that BMMSCs treated with either Colloss or Colloss-E exhibited characteristic osteoblastic morphological changes accompanied by the expression of osteoblast-specific markers, such as alkaline phosphatase activity, osteopontin secretion and calcium deposits, explicitly demonstrating that these bone matrix extracts induce osteoblastic differentiation of BMMSCs in vitro. Hence, xenogenic BMEs induce bone-specific differentiation of BMMSCs, presumably through providing stem cells with structural and soluble mediators that mimic the in vivo microenvironment. These results may explain the in vivo mode of action of these medical devices, and potentially provide a novel tissue engineering-based treatment of bone defect, using autologous BMMSCs pretreated with BMEs.     

骨髓间质干细胞研究进展

全能干细胞和多能干细胞具有高度自我更新能力和多向分化潜能 ,是组织工程及细胞和基因治疗中重要的靶细胞。胚胎干细胞是从早期胚胎中分离的 ,具有向机体各种组织细胞分化的潜能 ,但其自身的免疫原性以及取材困难 ,限制了它在临床上的应用。近年来研究发现 ,除了胚胎干细胞外 ,机体内还存在一些多能干细胞 ,它们具有一定的自我更新和分化能力 ,如来源于脑室管膜的神经干细胞可分化为神经元和神经胶质细胞[1] ;骨髓中的造血干细胞可分化为红细胞、粒细胞、巨噬细胞等各种血细胞。而骨髓间质干细胞作为非造血组织干细胞[2 ] ,除了参与构成支…     

Uremic toxins impair human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells functionality in vitro

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are becoming therapeutic agents of interest in many areas of medicine, including renal diseases and kidney transplantations. However, the effect of uremia on cell properties is still unclear. Therefore, we examined the in vitro influence of uremic toxins, p-cresol (PC) and indoxyl sulfate (IS), on human bone marrow-derived MSC functionality. Cultured MSCs were treated with PC and IS at concentrations corresponding to subsequent stages of chronic kidney disease. Cell viability was characterized by metabolic activity (MTT assay) and proliferation rate (BrdU assay). Apoptosis (Annexin V test) and cell membrane damage (LDH assay) were also tested. MSC secretory properties were determined by measuring cytokine/growth factor levels in media from toxin-treated cells (ELISA). Uremic concentrations of PC and IS resulted in significant inhibition of MSC metabolic activity and proliferation. Toxins did not induce apoptosis, but damaged cell membranes. MSC paracrine activity was also altered – a decrease of VEGF and TGF-β1 levels and an increase in IGF-1 and IL-8 secretion was detected. Presented data indicate a negative influence of uremic toxins on functional characteristics of human bone marrow-derived MSCs. Therefore, their use as autologous therapeutic agents for kidney disease may be questionable and requires further investigations. The observed phenomenon may be attributable to many other MSC therapies, because of the high prevalence of chronic kidney disease in adult population.     

Matrix-mediated retention of adipogenic differentiation potential by human adult bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells during ex vivo expansion

Recently, cell-based approaches utilizing adipogenic progenitor cells for fat tissue engineering have been developed and reported to have success in promoting in vivo adipogenesis and the repair of defect sites. For autologous applications, human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been suggested as a potential cell source for adipose tissue engineering applications due to their ability to be isolated and ex vivo expanded from adult bone marrow aspirates and their versatility for pluripotent differentiation into various mesenchymal lineages including adipogenic. Due to the relatively low frequency of MSCs present within bone marrow, extensive ex vivo expansion of these cells is necessary to obtain therapeutic cell populations for tissue engineering strategies. Currently, utilization of MSCs for adipose tissue engineering is limited due to the attenuation of their adipogenic differentiation potential following extensive ex vivo expansion on conventional tissue culture plastic (TCP) substrates. In the present study, the ability of a denatured collagen type I (DC) matrix to preserve MSC adipogenic potential during ex vivo expansion was examined. Adipocyte-related markers and functions were examined in vitro in response to adipogenic culture conditions for 21 days in comparison to early passage MSCs and late passage MSCs ex vivo expanded on TCP. The results demonstrated significant preservation of the ability of late passage MSCs ex vivo expanded on the DC matrix to express adipogenic markers (fatty acid-binding protein-4, lipoprotein lipase, acyl-CoA synthetase, adipsin, facilitative glucose transporter-4, and accumulation of lipids) similar to the early passage cells and in contrast to late passage MSCs expanded on TCP. The ability of the DC matrix to preserve adipocyte-related markers and functions of MSCs following extensive ex vivo expansion represents a novel culture technique to expand functional adipogenic progenitors for tissue engineering applications.     

胚胎骨髓来源间充质干细胞对人Th17细胞的免疫调节

背景：众多研究表明间充质干细胞能发挥免疫调节功能,抑制T细胞增殖。 目的：观察胚胎骨髓来源间充质干细胞对人Th17细胞的调节作用。 方法：将人胚胎骨髓间充质干细胞与正常人外周血单个核细胞或CD4⁺ T细胞以1∶10比例共培养4 d,以单个核细胞或CD4⁺T细胞单独培养为对照。应用实时定量PCR检测细胞白细胞介素17 mRNA表达,酶联免疫吸附试验检测细胞上清中白细胞介素17蛋白水平,流式细胞术检测Th17细胞数量。 结果与结论：胚胎骨髓来源间充质干细胞与单个核细胞共培养组白细胞介素17 mRNA表达水平明显高于单个核细胞组(P < 0.01)。与此一致的是,胚胎骨髓来源间充质干细胞与单个核细胞或CD4⁺T细胞共培养组细胞上清中白细胞介素17蛋白水平明显高于单个核细胞组、CD4⁺ T细胞组(P < 0.05,P < 0.01)。胚胎骨髓来源间充质干细胞与CD4⁺ T细胞共培养组Th17细胞数量明显高于CD4⁺ T细胞组(P < 0.01),但胚胎骨髓来源间充质干细胞本身并不表达白细胞介素17。表明胚胎骨髓来源间充质干细胞可促进人Th17细胞增殖。     

反转录病毒介导基质金属蛋白酶特异性组织抑制剂1基因转染骨髓间充质干细胞的成骨能力

背景：间充质干细胞成骨分化早期是成骨性细胞外基质细胞外间质的堆积,其主要成分均是基质金属蛋白酶特异性组织抑制剂1(tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases 1,TIMP-1)作用的基质金属蛋白酶作用底物,通过增加TIMP-1的表达,是否可以抑制基质金属蛋白酶的活性,进而影响间充质干细胞的成骨分化能力？ 目的：观察反转录病毒介导TIMP-1基因转染骨髓间充质干细胞的成骨能力。 方法：设计In-Fusion引物扩增TIMP-1基因片段,与酶切后线性化的pBABE-Puro反转录病毒表达载体进行位点同源重组,构建TIMP-1基因反转录病毒表达载体,RT-PCR和测序验证,并使用GP-293细胞进行包装。通过密度梯度法分离人下颌骨来源骨髓间充质干细胞,流式细胞仪验证其表面标记。将TIMP-1反转录病毒包装液感染骨髓间充质干细胞并筛选稳定表达TIMP-1细胞株,RT-PCR和蛋白电泳验证其表达,并使用成骨诱导液诱导10 d,观察其对成骨能力的影响,RT-PCR验证其成骨相关基因的表达。 结果与结论：经测序证实,RT-PCR所获得的TIMP-1基因 cDNA 序列与NM_003254.2(624 bp)序列完全一致;通过表面标记鉴定证实成功分离了人骨髓间充质干细胞,并具良好的成骨、成脂能力;RT-PCR和Western Blot验证反转录病毒载体成功介导TIMP-1转染骨髓间充质干细胞,RT-PCR表明成骨诱导10 d时,TIMP-1基因感染组成骨增加,RUNX-2和COL1 mRNA表达增加。提示TIMP-1基因可通过反转录病毒成功转染人骨髓间充质干细胞,并能促进其成骨。     

Influence of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) on growth and osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

As a new member of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) family, the novel polyester poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (P(3HB-4HB-3HHx)) was produced by recombinant Aeromonas hydrophila 4AK4 and used for the first time to test its biocompatibility. It was shown that P(3HB-4HB-3HHx) had higher hydrophobicity, surface energy, and rougher surface than the well-studied polymers poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx). Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) attached better on P(3HB-4HB-3HHx) film than on tissue culture plates (TCPs), PLA film, and PHBHHx film. MSC proliferation on P(3HB-4HB-3HHx) film was 126% higher than that on TCPs, 84% higher than that on PHBHHx film, and 312% higher than that on PLA film (p < 0.01). P(3HB-4HB-3HHx) also supported osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. Previous studies found that all PHA materials tested were either less than or equal to TCPs for supporting cell growth. Among all PHA materials tested, P(3HB-4HB-3HHx) was the only PHA material to significantly promote cell proliferation compared with TCPs. P(3HB-4HB-3HHx) could be exploited for applications in bone tissue engineering.