Engineering cell matrix interactions in assembled polyelectrolyte fiber hydrogels for mesenchymal stem cell chondrogenesis

Cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions are important events in directing stem cell chondrogenesis, which can be promoted in matrix microenvironments presenting appropriate ligands. In this study, interfacial polyelectrolyte complexation (IPC) based hydrogels were employed, wherein the unique formation of submicron size fibers facilitated spatial orientation of ligands within such hydrogels. The influence of aligned, collagen type I (Col I) presentation in IPC hydrogel on chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) was investigated. Early morphological dynamics, onset of N-cadherin/β-catenin mediated chondrogenic induction and differentiation were compared between MSCs encapsulated in IPC-Col I and IPC-control (without Col I) hydrogels, and a conventional Col I hydrogel. MSCs in IPC-Col I hydrogel aligned and packed uniformly, resulting in enhanced cell–cell interactions and cellular condensation, facilitating superior chondrogenesis and the generation of mature hyaline neocartilage, with notable downregulation of fibrocartilaginous marker. Inhibition study using function blocking β1-integrin antibodies reversed the aforementioned outcomes, indicating the importance of coupling integrin mediated cell–matrix interactions and N-cadherin/β-catenin mediated downstream signaling events. This study demonstrated the significance of oriented ligand presentation for MSC chondrogenesis, and the importance of facilitating an orderly sequence of differentiation events, initiated by proximal interactions between MSCs and the extracellular matrix for robust neocartilage formation.