Extracellular matrix mimicking scaffold promotes osteogenic stem cell differentiation: A new approach in osteoporosis research

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Moll, C.W.I.^a | Schmiedinger, T.^b | Moll, M.A.^e | Seppi, T.^b | Pfaller, K.^c | Hess, M.W.^c | Gutleben, K.^c | Lindtner, R.A.^a | Blauth, M.^a | Krumschnabel, G.^d | Ebner, H.L.^{a; f; *}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Trauma Surgery, Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, Innsbruck, Austria | [b] Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, Innsbruck, Austria | [c] Division of Histology and Embryology, Medical University, Müllerstrasse 59, Innsbruck, Austria | [d] OROBOROS^® INSTRUMENTS Corporation (GmbH), Schöpfstrasse 18, Innsbruck, Austria | [e] Department of Vascular Surgery, Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, Innsbruck, Austria | [f] MED-EL Medical Electronics (GmbH), Fürstenweg 77a, Innsbruck, Austria

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: H.L. Ebner, MED-EL Medical Electronics (GmbH), Fürstenweg 77a, Innsbruck, Austria. Tel.: 0043 577881312; E-mail: Hannes.ebner@medel.com.

Abstract: Background:Osteoporosis is a common metabolic disease, with mesenchymal stem cells discussed to play an important role in its pathomechanism. For in vitro osteoporosis studies, selection of adequate culture conditions is mandatory so as to preserve cell properties as far as possible. A suitable cell culture surface would ideally provide reproducible experimental conditions by resembling those in-vivo. Objective:Generating an improved growth surface for osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs). Methods:We modified electrospun gelatine meshes with hydroxyapatite nanopowder. The potential beneficial impact of the ensuing culture conditions were evaluated by cultivating and comparing the growth of cells from osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic donors on either hydroxyapatite-gelatine (HA) meshes, pure gelatine meshes, or 2D standard tissue culture surfaces. Results:After 21 days of differentiation, cells grown on pure or HA-gelatine meshes showed significantly higher mineralization levels compared to cells cultured in standard conditions. The amount of mineralization varied considerably in hBMSC cultures of individual patients but showed no significant difference between stem cells obtained from osteoporotic or non-osteoporotic donors. Conclusions:Overall, these results indicate that the use of HA-gelatine meshes as growth surfaces may serve as a valuable tool for cultivation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells along the osteogenic lineage, facilitating future research on osteoporosis and related issues.

Keywords: Osteoporosis, mesenchymal stem cells, differentiation, electrospun gelatine mesh, hydroxyapatite

DOI: 10.3233/BME-171659

Journal: Bio-Medical Materials and Engineering, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 87-103, 2017