Modulation of mesenchymal stem cells behaviors by chitosan/gelatin/pectin network films

In this article, the chitosan/gelatin/pectin (CGP) network films were prepared to build appropriate physicochemical and mechanical microenvironment for attachment, proliferation, and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Results suggested that the hydrophilicity and mechanical character of CGP composites films could be modulated via adjusting the pectin content in the composites. The investigations of attachment and proliferation behaviors of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on the CGP films were carried out. The morphology of cells was observed with hematoxylin/eosin staining (HE) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The osteogenic differentiation of MSCs was investigated via ALP and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results suggested that the CGP films have excellent biocompatibility. MSCs seeded on CGP (0.1) film show higher proliferation capacity compared with other samples. Moreover, osteogenic differentiation of MSCs also depends on the properties of the substrate. The MSCs seeded on CGP (0.5) expressed the highest ALP activity, osteogenic gene expression and mineral formation capacity. These results suggest that the composition of the CGP network films could effectively modulate their physicochemical and mechanical properties and further regulate the cell behaviors of MSCs.