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Aminated 3D Printed Polystyrene Maintains Stem Cell Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation
Max J Lerman1,2, Brandon T Smith2,3, Anushka G Gerald2,4
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland.
Tissue Engineering. Part C, Methods
|January 24, 2020
Summary
Ammonia plasma treatment of polystyrene scaffolds enhances human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) proliferation. This surface modification supports hMSC growth without spontaneous osteogenic differentiation in 3D culture systems.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Stem Cell Biology
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- 3D printing is increasingly used for creating cell culture platforms.
- Surface treatments are crucial for controlling cellular responses on these platforms.
- Polystyrene (PS) is a common material for cell culture, but requires surface modification for specific applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of ammonia (NH3) and oxygen plasma treatments on polystyrene surfaces.
- To evaluate the impact of these surface modifications on human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) proliferation and osteogenic differentiation.
- To determine the suitability of treated surfaces for 2D, 3D static, and 3D dynamic cell culture systems.
Main Methods:
- Polystyrene surfaces were treated with ammonia (NH3) plasma and oxygen plasma.
- NH3 plasma incorporated amine groups, while oxygen plasma introduced carbonyl and carboxylate groups.
- hMSC proliferation and osteogenic differentiation were assessed on treated surfaces in 2D, 3D static, and 3D dynamic culture conditions.
- Gene expression of osteogenic markers (RUNX2, ALP) was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Ammonia (NH3) plasma treatment significantly enhanced hMSC proliferation across all culture formats (2D, 3D, 3D dynamic).
- NH3-treated surfaces supported dynamic hMSC proliferation with minimal spontaneous osteogenic differentiation.
- NH3 treatment promoted earlier and greater expression of RUNX2 and ALP in osteogenic media, particularly in 3D culture.
- Oxygen plasma treatment resulted in different surface chemistry (carbonyl, carboxylate groups) with distinct cellular responses.
Conclusions:
- NH3-treated polystyrene scaffolds effectively support hMSC proliferation.
- These scaffolds prevent spontaneous osteogenic differentiation, offering a controlled environment for hMSC culture.
- The developed culture system using NH3-treated PS holds potential for creating bone marrow niche models and studying shear effects.
