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Published on: February 3, 2018
Stem cells, nitrogen-rich plasma-polymerized culture surfaces, and type X collagen suppression
Sonia Rampersad1, Juan-Carlos Ruiz, Alain Petit
1Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, SMBD-Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Québec, Canada.
Abstract:
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells that can differentiate into chondrocytes, osteoblasts, myocytes, adipocytes, and a variety of other cell types. Several studies have been directed toward using MSCs from patients with osteoarthritis (OA) for cartilage repair, not only because these are the ones that will require a source of autologous stem cells if biological repair of cartilage lesions is to be a therapeutic option, but also to further an understanding of stem cell differentiation. Previous studies have shown that a major drawback of current cartilage and intervertebral disc tissue repair is that human MSCs from OA patients express type X collagen (COL X). COL X, a marker of late-stage chondrocyte hypertrophy, is implicated in endochondral ossification. However, those studies also revealed that a novel plasma-polymerized thin film material, named nitrogen-rich plasma-polymerized ethylene (PPE:N), was able to inhibit COL X expression in committed MSCs. The specific aim of this present study was to determine if the suppression of COL X by PPE:N is maintained when MSCs are transferred to pellet cultures in serum-free media. Our results confirmed the potential of two different types of PPE:N surfaces (low-pressure-PPE:N [L-PPE:N] and high-pressure-PPE:N [H-PPE:N]) in suppressing COL X expression, more so on the latter. Interestingly, when MSCs were transferred to pellet cultures, the expression level of COL X was further decreased by preincubation on H-PPE:N, suggesting that these kinds of coatings show promise for tissue engineering of cartilage and disc tissues. Further studies are needed to assess the relative importance of surface-chemistry versus surface-morphology in the mechanism of COL X suppression.
Insights
Nitrogen-rich plasma-polymerized ethylene (PPE:N) surfaces effectively suppress type X collagen (COL X) expression in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). This suppression is maintained and enhanced in pellet cultures, showing promise for cartilage tissue engineering.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Stem Cell Biology
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are crucial for cartilage repair, but those from osteoarthritis (OA) patients express type X collagen (COL X).
- COL X expression in MSCs is a drawback for cartilage and intervertebral disc repair, as it indicates late-stage chondrocyte hypertrophy and potential endochondral ossification.
- Previous research identified nitrogen-rich plasma-polymerized ethylene (PPE:N) as a material capable of inhibiting COL X expression in MSCs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if the COL X suppression by PPE:N surfaces is sustained when MSCs are cultured in 3D pellet systems without serum.
- To evaluate the efficacy of different PPE:N surface types (low-pressure [L-PPE:N] and high-pressure [H-PPE:N]) in maintaining COL X suppression.
- To assess the potential of PPE:N coatings for advancing cartilage and intervertebral disc tissue engineering applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two types of PPE:N coated surfaces (L-PPE:N and H-PPE:N) for MSC preincubation.
- Transferred preincubated MSCs to serum-free pellet cultures to mimic in vivo conditions.
- Quantified COL X expression levels to assess the impact of PPE:N surfaces and pellet culture conditions.
Main Results:
- Both L-PPE:N and H-PPE:N surfaces demonstrated the ability to suppress COL X expression in MSCs.
- The H-PPE:N surface exhibited a more pronounced inhibition of COL X expression compared to L-PPE:N.
- Preincubation on H-PPE:N surfaces led to a further decrease in COL X expression when MSCs were subsequently cultured in pellet form.
Conclusions:
- PPE:N surfaces, particularly H-PPE:N, show significant potential for suppressing detrimental COL X expression in MSCs.
- The observed suppression of COL X is maintained and even enhanced in 3D pellet cultures, indicating suitability for tissue engineering.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the roles of surface chemistry and morphology in the mechanism of COL X suppression by PPE:N coatings.
