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Isolation and Enrichment of Human Adipose-derived Stromal Cells for Enhanced Osteogenesis
Published on: January 12, 2015
Pulsed direct current electric fields enhance osteogenesis in adipose-derived stromal cells
Kyle E Hammerick1, Aaron W James, Zubin Huang
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
Tissue Engineering. Part A
|October 15, 2009
Summary
Pulsed direct current electric fields promote osteogenic differentiation in adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs). These electric fields enhance early osteoblast markers without relying on cytoskeletal tension, offering potential for skeletal regeneration strategies.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cell Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) are valuable for regenerative medicine.
- Electric fields are known to aid bone fracture healing.
- Previous ASC osteogenesis studies used chemicals, growth factors, or mechanical stimuli.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if pulsed direct current electric fields can induce osteogenic differentiation in mouse ASCs.
- To explore the role of electric fields in ASC osteogenesis.
- To determine the mechanism of electric field-induced osteogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Mouse ASCs were exposed to 50 Hz direct current electric fields, with and without osteogenic factors.
- Osteoblast-specific gene markers were analyzed.
- Atomic force microscopy-based force spectroscopy measured cytoskeletal tension.
- The effect of a rho-associated protein kinase inhibitor (Y27632) on electric field stimulation was assessed.
Main Results:
- Pulsed electric fields increased early osteoblast-specific markers in ASCs.
- Electric field stimulation caused significant changes in the cell cytoskeleton, increasing cytoskeletal tension.
- Inhibiting cytoskeletal tension with Y27632 did not reduce the pro-osteogenic effects of electric fields.
- Common electric field stimulation artifacts were not the primary mediators of the observed effects.
Conclusions:
- Pulsed direct current electric fields show promise for enhancing osteogenesis in ASCs.
- The pro-osteogenic effects of electric fields on ASCs are not mediated by cytoskeletal tension.
- Electric fields could be a valuable addition to cell-based strategies for skeletal regeneration.
