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Microscale versus nanoscale scaffold architecture for mesenchymal stem cell chondrogenesis
Shobana Shanmugasundaram1, Hans Chaudhry, Treena Livingston Arinzeh
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA.
Tissue Engineering. Part A
|October 27, 2010
Summary
Micron-sized fibers in electrospun scaffolds promote cartilage tissue engineering by enhancing human mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation. Scaffold architecture and mechanical properties are key factors for successful chondrogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Nanofiber scaffolds mimic the extracellular matrix, showing promise for tissue engineering.
- Previous studies on electrospun scaffolds for cartilage repair have not fully explored scaffold design features.
- Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are crucial for cartilage regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of scaffold design, including fiber and pore size and mechanical properties, on human MSC chondrogenesis.
- To investigate the temporal gene expression of chondrogenic markers and the pluripotent gene Sox2 during MSC differentiation on various scaffolds.
- To determine the role of scaffold physical features in MSC differentiation for cartilage repair.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of electrospun nanofiber scaffolds with varying nano to micron-sized fibers.
- Characterization of scaffold pore size and mechanical properties.
- Culture of human bone marrow-derived MSCs on scaffolds and assessment of chondrogenic differentiation.
- Analysis of temporal gene expression for chondrogenic markers (aggrecan, chondroadherin, sox9, collagen type II) and Sox2.
Main Results:
- Micron-sized fibers (5 and 9 µm) with larger pore sizes (27 and 29 µm) significantly enhanced chondrogenic marker expression compared to nano-sized fibers.
- Sox2 gene expression was high in undifferentiated MSCs but negligible on all scaffolds, indicating scaffold influence on differentiation.
- Scaffolds with micron-sized fibers, larger pores, and mechanical properties similar to cartilage ECM promoted superior MSC chondrogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Scaffold architecture, specifically micron-sized fibers and larger pore sizes, significantly enhances MSC chondrogenesis for cartilage repair.
- The physical characteristics of electrospun scaffolds play a critical role in directing MSC differentiation, independent of inductive factors.
- Optimizing scaffold design is essential for advancing tissue engineering strategies in cartilage regeneration.
