Enhanced chondrogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells using nanopatterned PEG-GelMA-HA hydrogels

Tissue Eng Part A. 2014 Nov;20(21-22):2817-29. doi: 10.1089/ten.TEA.2013.0614. Epub 2014 Jun 30.

Abstract

We have examined the effects of surface nanotopography and hyaluronic acid (HA) on in vitro chondrogenesis of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). Ultraviolet-assisted capillary force lithography was employed to fabricate well-defined nanostructured scaffolds of composite PEG-GelMA-HA hydrogels that consist of poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA), methacrylated gelatin (GelMA), and HA. Using this microengineered platform, we first demonstrated that DPSCs formed three-dimensional spheroids, which provide an appropriate environment for in vitro chondrogenic differentiation. We also found that DPSCs cultured on nanopatterned PEG-GelMA-HA scaffolds showed a significant upregulation of the chondrogenic gene markers (Sox9, Alkaline phosphatase, Aggrecan, Procollagen type II, and Procollagen type X), while downregulating the pluripotent stem cell gene, Nanog, and epithelial-mesenchymal genes (Twist, Snail, Slug) compared with tissue culture polystyrene-cultured DPSCs. Immunocytochemistry showed more extensive deposition of collagen type II in DPSCs cultured on the nanopatterned PEG-GelMA-HA scaffolds. These findings suggest that nanotopography and HA provide important cues for promoting chondrogenic differentiation of DPSCs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemical synthesis
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology
  • Cell Size
  • Cell Survival / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chondrogenesis / physiology*
  • Dental Pulp / cytology*
  • Dental Pulp / physiology
  • Hyaluronic Acid / chemistry*
  • Hydrogels / chemistry
  • Materials Testing
  • Methacrylates / chemistry*
  • Mice
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*
  • Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Stem Cells / physiology
  • Surface Properties
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Hydrogels
  • Methacrylates
  • poly(ethylene glycol)-dimethacrylate
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Hyaluronic Acid