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Updated: Apr 26, 2026
Differentiation and Characterization of Osteoclasts from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Published on: March 22, 2024
Differential regulation of osteogenic differentiation of stem cells on surface roughness gradients
Ana B Faia-Torres1, Stefanie Guimond-Lischer2, Markus Rottmar2
13B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Zona Industrial da Gandra, S. Cláudio do Barco, Caldas das Taipas, 4806-909 Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3Bs - PT Government Associated Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Laboratory for Surface Science and Technology, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Tissue engineering using scaffold-cell constructs holds the potential to develop functional strategies to regenerate bone. The interface of orthopedic implants with the host tissues is of great importance for its later performance. Thus, the optimization of the implant surface in a way that could stimulate osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is of significant therapeutic interest. The effect of surface roughness of polycaprolactone (PCL) on the osteogenic differentiation of human bone-marrow MSCs was investigated. We prepared surface roughness gradients of average roughness (Ra) varying from the sub-micron to the micrometer range (∼0.5-4.7 μm), and mean distance between peaks (RSm) gradually varying from ∼214 μm to 33 μm. We analyzed the degree of cytoskeleton spreading, expression of alkaline phosphatase, collagen type 1 and mineralization. The response of cells to roughness divided the gradient into three groups of elicited stem cell behavior: 1) faster osteogenic commitment and strongest osteogenic expression; 2) slower osteogenic commitment but strong osteogenic expression, and 3) similar or inferior osteogenic potential in comparison to the control material. The stem-cell modulation by specific PCL roughness surfaces highlights the potential for creating effective solutions for orthopedic applications featuring a clinically relevant biodegradable material.
