Sirtuin 6 mediated stem cell cardiomyogenesis on protein coated nanofibrous scaffolds

The cellular niche provides combination of biomolecular and biophysical cues to control stem cell fate. Three-dimensional (3D) aligned nanofibrous scaffolds can effectively augment stem cell cardiomyogenesis. This work aims to understand the role of biomolecular signals from extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and leverage them to further promote cardiomyogenesis on nanofibrous scaffolds. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were cultured on 3D aligned polycaprolactone scaffolds coated with different ECM proteins. Among multiple coatings tested, collagen coated fibers were most effective in promoting cardiomyogenesis as determined from increased expression of cardiac biomarkers and intracellular calcium flux. At molecular level, enhanced differentiation on collagen coated fibers was associated with an increased level of sirtuin 6 (SIRT6). Depletion of SIRT6 using siRNA attenuated the differentiation process through activation of Wnt signaling pathway. This study, thus, demonstrates that protein coated scaffolds can augment cardiomyogenic differentiation of stem cells through a combination of topographical and biomolecular signals.