Microfluidic Encapsulation of Genetically Engineered Bone-marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Bone Defect...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are crucial for bone healing.
• Enhancing MSC viability and differentiation is key for effective bone regeneration therapies.
• Current methods require improvement for clinical bone defect repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel platform for bone regeneration using genetically engineered MSCs.
• To evaluate the efficacy of engineered MSCs within hydrogel microcarriers for bone defect healing.

Main Methods:

• Bone MSCs (BMSCs) were transfected with RUNX2 plasmid nanoparticles (BMSCs^pRUNX2).
• Engineered BMSCs were encapsulated into gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel microcarriers (BRGMs) using microfluidics.
• BRGMs were implanted into rat calvarial defects to assess bone regeneration in vivo.

Main Results:

• Microfluidic generation resulted in uniform BRGMs with good injectability.
• BRGMs maintained high cell viability and enhanced osteogenic capacity of BMSCs^pRUNX2.
• In vitro studies confirmed enhanced osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs^pRUNX2.
• Significant bone regeneration was observed in rat calvarial defects after 8 weeks.

Conclusions:

• Microfluidic encapsulation of genetically engineered BMSCs provides a promising platform for bone defect healing.
• The BRGM system supports cell viability and osteogenic differentiation, leading to effective in situ bone regeneration.
• This approach offers a potential solution for clinical applications in bone regeneration.