RGD-grafted thermoreversible polymers to facilitate attachment of BMP-2 responsive C2C12 cells

Sustained growth factor delivery from bioactive PNIPAM-grafted-chitosan/heparin multilayers as a tool to promote growth and migration of cells

Delivery of growth factors (GFs) is challenging for regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation due to their rapid inactivation under physiological conditions. Here, a bioactive polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) is engineered by the combination of thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and glycosaminoglycans to be used as reservoir for GF storage. PNIPAM-grafted-chitosan (PChi) with two degrees of substitution (DS) are synthesized, namely LMW* (DS 0.14) and HMW (DS 0.03), by grafting low (2 kDa) and high (10 kDa) molecular weight of PNIPAM on the backbone of chitosan (Chi) to be employed as polycations to form PEM with the polyanion heparin (Hep) at pH 4. Subsequently, PEMs are chemically crosslinked to improve their stability at physiological pH 7.4. Resulting surface and mechanical properties indicate that PEM containing HMW is responsive to temperature at 20 °C and 37 °C, while LMW is not. More importantly, Hep as terminal layer combined with HMW allows not only a better retention of the adhesive protein vitronectin but also a sustained release of FGF-2 at 37 °C. With the synergistic effect of vitronectin and matrix-bound FGF-2, significant promotion on adhesion, proliferation, and migration of 3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblasts is achieved on HMW-containing PEM compared to Chi-containing PEM and exogenously added FGF-2. Thus, PEM containing PNIPAM in combination with bioactive glycosaminoglycans like Hep represents a versatile approach to fabricate a GF delivery system for efficient cell culture, which can be potentially served as cell culture substrate for production of (stem) cells and bioactive wound dressing for tissue regeneration.

Injectable thermosensitive chitosan/gelatin hydrogel for dental pulp stem cells proliferation and differentiation

Introduction: Biocompatible and biodegradable scaffolds based on natural polymers such as gelatin and chitosan (CS) provide suitable microenvironments in dental tissue engineering. In the present study, we report on the synthesis of injectable thermosensitive hydrogel (PNIPAAm-g-CS copolymer/gelatin hybrid hydrogel) for osteogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). Methods: The CS-g-PNIPAAm was synthesized using the reaction of carboxyl terminated PNIPAAm with CS, which was then mixed with various amounts of gelatin solution in the presence of genipin as a chemical crosslinker to gain a homogenous solution. The chemical composition and microstructures of the fabricated hydrogels were confirmed by FT-IR and SEM analysis, respectively. To evaluate the mechanical properties (e.g., storage and loss modulus of the gels), the rheological analysis was considered. Calcium deposition and ALP activity of DPSCs were carried out using alizarin red staining and ALP test. While the live/dead assay was performed to study its toxicity, the real-time PCR was conducted to investigate the osteogenic differentiation of hDPSCs cultured on prepared hydrogels. Results: The hydrogels with higher gelatin incorporation showed a slightly looser network compared to the other ones. The hydrogel with less gelatin indicates a rather higher value of G', indicating a higher elasticity due to more crosslinking reaction of amine groups of CS via a covalent bond with genipin. All the hydrogels contained viable cells with negligible dead cells, indicating the high biocompatibility of the prepared hydrogels for hDPSCs. The quantitative results of alizarin red staining displayed a significant rise in calcium deposition in hDPSCs cultured on prepared hydrogels after 21 days. Further, hDPSCs cultured on hydrogel with more gelatin displayed the most ALP activity. The expression of late osteogenic genes such as OCN and BMP-2 were respectively 6 and 4 times higher on the hydrogel with more gelatin than the control group after 21 days. Conclusion: The prepared PNIPAAm-g-CS copolymer/gelatin hybrid hydrogel presented great features (e.g., porous structure, suitable rheological behavior, and improved cell viability), and resulted in osteogenic differentiation necessary for dental tissue engineering.

Bioactive PCL-Peptide and PLA-Peptide Brush Copolymers for Bone Tissue Engineering

We report the modular synthesis of bioactive brush-type polycaprolactone-peptide and polylactide-peptide copolymers for applications in bone tissue engineering. The brush copolymers containing pendant side chains of polycaprolactone (PCL) or polylactide (PLA) and PEGylated peptides, including linear Arg-Gly-Asp and collagen-like peptide (Gly-Pro-Hyp)3, were synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization with high conversions and low dispersities (<1.5). These PCL-peptide and PLA-peptide copolymers exhibited good thermal stability for material processing using melt-extrusion-based methods. The copolymers were blended with commercial PCL or PLA, extruded into filaments, and 3D printed using fused filament fabrication methods. These bioactive PCL and PLA materials promoted osteogenic differentiation in vitro and showed good biocompatibility in in vivo murine model study. The promising results presented herein will serve as a useful guide for the design and functionalization of PCL or PLA materials for use in bone tissue engineering.

In Vitro Evaluation of Recombinant Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 Bioactivity for Regenerative Medicine

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) is a commonly used growth factor in bone regeneration due to its high potency and ability to induce osteogenic differentiation of osteoblasts and osteoblast precursors. When designing delivery systems for rhBMP-2, the activity of the loaded and released protein is an important consideration. The variability in the experimental design parameters used to measure rhBMP-2 activity in vitro has precluded comparative analysis. Here, for the first time, we report a direct comparison of the assay parameters used in rhBMP-2 bioactivity assays in the literature and an evaluation of commercially available rhBMP-2 obtained from different vendors. Most published rhBMP-2 assays use W-20-17 (mouse stromal), MC3T3 (preosteoblast), or C2C12 (myoblast) cell lines. We found that each model cell line has an optimal concentration range over which it is most sensitive to rhBMP-2 induction. Therefore, it is difficult to find one single bioassay protocol that could be universally used. In addition, we established a correlation between protein concentration (as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and protein activity (as measured by alkaline phosphatase induction). We found that the expression system used to produce the rhBMP-2 had the greatest effect on its activity and stability in vitro. Establishing a standard method of measuring rhBMP-2 activity in vitro is the first step toward developing an in vitro–in vivo correlation between measured activity and clinical outcomes.

Stimuli-Responsive Delivery of Growth Factors for Tissue Engineering

Growth factors (GFs) play a crucial role in directing stem cell behavior and transmitting information between different cell populations for tissue regeneration. However, their utility as therapeutics is limited by their short half-life within the physiological microenvironment and significant side effects caused by off-target effects or improper dosage. "Smart" materials that can not only sustain therapeutic delivery over a treatment period but also facilitate on-demand release upon activation are attracting significant interest in the field of GF delivery for tissue engineering. Three properties are essential in engineering these "smart" materials: 1) the cargo vehicle protects the encapsulated therapeutic; 2) release is targeted to the site of injury; 3) cargo release can be modulated by disease-specific stimuli. The aim of this review is to summarize the current research on stimuli-responsive materials as intelligent vehicles for controlled GF delivery; Five main subfields of tissue engineering are discussed: skin, bone and cartilage, muscle, blood vessel, and nerve. Challenges in achieving such "smart" materials and perspectives on future applications of stimuli-responsive GF delivery for tissue regeneration are also discussed.

Thermo-responsive polymers: Applications of smart materials in drug delivery and tissue engineering

Synthetic polymers are attracting great attention in the last decades for their use in the biomedical field as nanovectors for controlled drug delivery, hydrogels and scaffolds enabling cell growth. Among them, polymers able to respond to environmental stimuli have been recently under growing consideration to impart a "smart" behavior to the final product, which is highly desirable to provide it with a specific dynamic and an advanced function. In particular, thermo-responsive polymers, materials able to undergo a discontinuous phase transition or morphological change in response to a temperature variation, are among the most studied. The development of the so-called controlled radical polymerization techniques has paved the way to a high degree of engineering for the polymer architecture and properties, which in turn brought to a plethora of sophisticated behaviors for these polymers by simply switching the external temperature. These can be exploited in many different fields, from separation to advanced optics and biosensors. The aim of this review is to critically discuss the latest advances in the development of thermo-responsive materials for biomedical applications, including a highly controlled drug delivery, mediation of cell growth and bioseparation. The focus is on the structural and design aspects that are required to exploit such materials for cutting-edge applications in the biomedical field.

Chitosan/biphasic calcium phosphate scaffolds functionalized with BMP-2-encapsulated nanoparticles and RGD for bone regeneration

Advancements in bone tissue engineering require the improvement of tissue scaffolds, which should not only exhibit suitable mechanical properties and highly porous structures, but also effectively carry signaling molecules that can mediate bone formation and tissue regeneration. In the present study, we established chitosan/biphasic calcium phosphate (CS/BCP) scaffolds functionalized with Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) and BMP-2-loaded nanoparticles. The resulting scaffolds were highly similar to natural bone extracellular matrix (ECM) in terms of composition and structural properties. First, we synthesized CS/BCP composite bionic scaffolds via the freeze-drying method. Then, RGD peptides were covalently conjugated onto the scaffolds via the EDC/NHS method. The BMP-2-encapsulated BSA nanoparticles were prepared via a desolvation method and then coated with CS and oxidized alginate to achieve sustained release of BMP-2. In vitro cell culture and in vivo implantation tests confirmed that RGD and BMP-2 synergistically enhanced cell attachment and spreading by providing integrin binding surface and facilitating osteogenic differentiation. In summary, the bioceramic/biopolymer scaffolds functionalized with signaling biomolecules successfully provided a favorable microenvironment for bone formation and thus serve as potential candidates for use in bone tissue engineering. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 2613-2624, 2018.

Enhanced multi-lineage differentiation of human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells within poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-acrylic acid) microgel-formed three-dimensional constructs

Human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hMSCs) are a potential cell source of stem cell therapy for many serious diseases and hMSC spheroids have emerged to replace single cell suspensions for cell therapy. Three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds or hydrogels which can mimic properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) have been widely explored for their application in tissue regeneration. However, there are considerably less studies on inducing differentiation of hMSC spheroids using 3D scaffolds or hydrogels. This study is the first to explore multi-lineage differentiation of a stem cell line and primary stem cells within poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (p(NIPAAm))-based thermosensitive microgel-formed constructs. We first demonstrated that poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (p(NIPAAm-AA)) was not toxic to hMSCs and the microgel-formed constructs facilitated formation of uniform stem cell spheroids. Due to functional enhancement of cell spheroids, hMSCs within the 3D microgel-formed constructs were induced for multi-lineage differentiation as evidenced by significant up-regulation of messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of chondrogenic and osteogenic genes even in the absence of induction media on day 9. When induction media were in situ supplied on day 9, mRNA expression of chondrogenic, osteogenic and adipogenic genes within the microgel-formed constructs were significantly higher than that in the pellet and 2D cultures, respectively, on day 37. In addition, histological and immunofluorescent images also confirmed successful multi-lineage differentiation of hMSCs within the 3D microgel-formed constructs. Hence, the thermosensitive p(NIPAAm-AA) microgel can be potentially used in an in vitro model for cell differentiation or in vivo transplantation of pre-differentiated human mesenchymal stromal cells into patients for specific lineage differentiation.

Cellularizing hydrogel-based scaffolds to repair bone tissue: How to create a physiologically relevant micro-environment?

Tissue engineering is a promising alternative to autografts or allografts for the regeneration of large bone defects. Cell-free biomaterials with different degrees of sophistication can be used for several therapeutic indications, to stimulate bone repair by the host tissue. However, when osteoprogenitors are not available in the damaged tissue, exogenous cells with an osteoblast differentiation potential must be provided. These cells should have the capacity to colonize the defect and to participate in the building of new bone tissue. To achieve this goal, cells must survive, remain in the defect site, eventually proliferate, and differentiate into mature osteoblasts. A critical issue for these engrafted cells is to be fed by oxygen and nutrients: the transient absence of a vascular network upon implantation is a major challenge for cells to survive in the site of implantation, and different strategies can be followed to promote cell survival under poor oxygen and nutrient supply and to promote rapid vascularization of the defect area. These strategies involve the use of scaffolds designed to create the appropriate micro-environment for cells to survive, proliferate, and differentiate in vitro and in vivo. Hydrogels are an eclectic class of materials that can be easily cellularized and provide effective, minimally invasive approaches to fill bone defects and favor bone tissue regeneration. Furthermore, by playing on their composition and processing, it is possible to obtain biocompatible systems with adequate chemical, biological, and mechanical properties. However, only a good combination of scaffold and cells, possibly with the aid of incorporated growth factors, can lead to successful results in bone regeneration. This review presents the strategies used to design cellularized hydrogel-based systems for bone regeneration, identifying the key parameters of the many different micro-environments created within hydrogels.

Hydrogels containing metallic glass sub-micron wires for regulating skeletal muscle cell behaviour

Hybrid Pd-based metallic glass sub-micron wires-hydrogel scaffolds are efficient in regulating behaviours of skeletal muscle cells.

Biological properties of solid free form designed ceramic scaffolds with BMP-2: in vitro and in vivo evaluation

Porous ceramic scaffolds are widely studied in the tissue engineering field due to their potential in medical applications as bone substitutes or as bone-filling materials. Solid free form (SFF) fabrication methods allow fabrication of ceramic scaffolds with fully controlled pore architecture, which opens new perspectives in bone tissue regeneration materials. However, little experimentation has been performed about real biological properties and possible applications of SFF designed 3D ceramic scaffolds. Thus, here the biological properties of a specific SFF scaffold are evaluated first, both in vitro and in vivo, and later scaffolds are also implanted in pig maxillary defect, which is a model for a possible application in maxillofacial surgery. In vitro results show good biocompatibility of the scaffolds, promoting cell ingrowth. In vivo results indicate that material on its own conducts surrounding tissue and allow cell ingrowth, thanks to the designed pore size. Additional osteoinductive properties were obtained with BMP-2, which was loaded on scaffolds, and optimal bone formation was observed in pig implantation model. Collectively, data show that SFF scaffolds have real application possibilities for bone tissue engineering purposes, with the main advantage of being fully customizable 3D structures.

A functional polymer designed for bone tissue engineering

Most synthetic polymers lack biological and chemical functionalities. This lack of functionality restricts the polymer properties and prevents them from controlling specific cell-material interactions. Polymers with free functional groups allow facile modifications, which can be used to control the biointerface. Here we created a functionalizable polymer, poly(fumaroyl bioxirane) maleate (PFM), with three free functional groups--hydroxyl, carboxyl and alkenyl--for bone tissue engineering. PFM was readily synthesized in two steps. PFM showed strain-dependent moduli with mechanical strength approaching native bones. PFM supported the adhesion, spreading, proliferation, and maturity of rat calvarial osteoblasts. The alkaline phosphatase activity of osteoblasts on PFM was significantly higher than that on tissue-culture-treated polystyrene in vitro. The physical, mechanical, and biological properties of PFM can be modulated by various functionalizations to explore methods to improve bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine in general.

Reversible conformational transitions of a polymer brush containing boronic acid and its interaction with mucin glycoprotein

Reversible changes of the height of a polymer brush containing phenylboronic acid were studied. The polymer brush thickness underwent reversible changes of 0.5-1 nm, in response to the changes in composition of the contacting aqueous phase from deionized water to bicarbonate buffer and vice versa, apparently due to the conformational transition of the weak polyelectrolyte to the more extended electrically charged state. Adsorption of mucin glycoprotein to the polymer brush took place due to boronate/sugar interactions between the glycoprotein and the graft copolymer and resulted in further increase of the brush height by ca. 1.5 nm, as observed by means of spectral correlation spectroscopy and ellipsometry.

Cyclo-DfKRG peptide modulates in vitro and in vivo behavior of human osteoprogenitor cells on titanium alloys

The first aim of the present study was to investigate the capacity of a cyclo-DfKRG-coated hydroxyapatite-titanium alloy (Ti-HA-RGD) to activate in vitro human osteoprogenitor cells adhesion and differentiation. The second purpose was to examine in vivo the role of a autologous cell seeding on cyclo-DfKRG-functionalized materials to provide bone repair after implantation in femoral condyle of rabbits. Our in vitro results have demonstrated that both titanium alloy functionalized with hydroxyapatite (Ti-HA-RGD and Ti-HA) contributed to higher cell adhesion than titanium alloy alone respectively 85 and 55% vs 15% compared to tissue culture polystyrene after one hour of cell seeding. As for differentiation, after 3 days of culture, Ti-HA presented the highest increase of ALP mRNA of all surfaces studied. Ti-HA-RGD showed an intermediate value about half as high as Ti-HA. Moreover after 3 days, both Ti-HA and Ti-HA-RGD surfaces showed the highest increase of cbfa1 mRNA expression. Two weeks following implantation, in vivo findings revealed that percentage of lacunae contact observed with pre-cellularized Ti-HA-RGD samples remains significantly lower than with Ti-HA group (10.5+/-9.6 % vs 33.7+/-11.5 %, P<0.03). Meanwhile, RGD peptide coating had no significant additional effect on the bone implant contact and area. Moreover, histomorphometry analysis revealed that implantation of pre-cellularized RGD coated materials with ROP cells increased significantly peri-implant fibrous area (24+/-11.6% vs 3+/-1.7% for Ti-HA-RGD, P<0.02). RGD coatings demonstrated osteoblastic adhesion, differentiation and in vivo bone regeneration at most equivalent to HA coatings.

Gene expression profile on chitosan/rhBMP-2 films: A novel osteoinductive coating for implantable materials

This study focusses on the gene expression profile related to a new rhBMP-2 carrier material, chitosan film. This film could be suitable for use as an osteoinductive coating of commercially available titanium implants. The developed material was characterized, biocompatibility was tested and the cellular response was extensively characterized by transcriptional expression studies. Finally, in vivo studies were carried out to confirm the osteoinductivity of the developed coating. Results show good material properties for cell adhesion and proliferation. Presented data show cellular differentiation to the osteoblastic phenotype due to rhBMP-2, with a 90% common transcriptional response between the control rhBMP-2 treatment and the developed chitosan/rhBMP-2 film. The growing surface also had an influence on the observed cellular response and was quantified as 7% of the total. These results indicate that both the growth factor and the material induce a cell response, but this is mainly driven by the osteoinductor factor. In vivo, new bone formation and early vascularization was observed around chitosan/rhBMP-2 coated titanium pieces implanted in mouse muscle. In contrast, control implants did not induce this reaction. This work, therefore, shows both in vitro and in vivo that chitosan/rhBMP-2 film is a promising osteoinductive coating for titanium implantable materials.

Characterization of low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel and differential stem cell responses in the hydrogel microenvironments

Hyaluronic acid is a natural glycosaminoglycan involved in biological processes. Low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (10 and 50 kDa)-based hydrogel was synthesized using derivatized hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid was acrylated by two steps: (1) introduction of an amine group using adipic acid dihydrazide, and (2) acrylation by N-acryloxysuccinimide. Injectable hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel was prepared by using acrylated hyaluronic acid and poly(ethylene glycol) tetra-thiols via Michael-type addition reaction. Mechanical properties of the hydrogel were evaluated by varying the molecular weight of acrylated hyaluronic acid (10 and 50 kDa) and the weight percent of hydrogel. Hydrogel based on 50-kDa hyaluronic acid showed the shortest gelation time and the highest complex modulus. Next, human mesenchymal stem cells were cultured in cell-adhesive RGD peptide-immobilized hydrogels together with bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2). Cells cultured in the RGD/BMP-2-incorporated hydrogels showed proliferation rates higher than that of control or RGD-immobilized hydrogels. Real-time RT-PCR showed that the expression of osteoblast marker genes such as CBFalpha1 and alkaline phosphatase was increased in hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel, and the expression level was dependent on the molecular weight of hyaluronic acid, RGD peptide, and BMP-2. This study indicates that low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel can be applied to tissue regeneration as differentiation guidance materials of stem cells.

Polyelectrolyte multilayer films of controlled stiffness modulate myoblast cells differentiation

Beside chemical properties and topographical features, mechanical properties of gels have been recently demonstrated to play an important role in various cellular processes, including cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation. In this work, we used multilayer films made of poly(L-lysine)/Hyaluronan (PLL/HA) of controlled stiffness to investigate the effects of mechanical properties of thin films on skeletal muscle cells (C2C12 cells) differentiation. Prior to differentiation, cells need to adhere and proliferate in growth medium. Stiff films (E(0) > 320 kPa) promoted formation of focal adhesions and organization of the cytoskeleton as well as an enhanced proliferation, whereas soft films were not favorable for cell anchoring, spreading or proliferation. Then C2C12 cells were switched to a low serum containing medium to induce cell differentiation, which was also greatly dependent on film stiffness. Although myogenin and troponin T expressions were only moderately affected by film stiffness, the morphology of the myotubes exhibited striking stiffness-dependent differences. Soft films allowed differentiation only for few days and the myotubes were very short and thick. Cell clumping followed by aggregates detachment could be observed after ~2 to 4 days. On stiffer films, significantly more elongated and thinner myotubes were observed for up to ~ 2 weeks. Myotube striation was also observed but only for the stiffer films. These results demonstrate that film stiffness modulates deeply adhesion, proliferation and differentiation, each of these processes having its own stiffness requirement.

Controlling cell adhesion on polyurethanes

Cell attractive or non-attractive surface properties of polyurethane devices can be controlled by treating them with zirconium tetra(tert-butoxide). This gives reactive interfacial zirconium complex species that can be used subsequently to bond cell attractive peptides such as arg-gly-asp (RGD) or cell non-attractive organics such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) to the device surface. Control of the surface properties of the polyurethane occurs on the nanoscale, and does not compromise the physical properties of the polymer. Interfacial Zr complex formation occurs at N-H sites of the polyurethane; therefore surface loadings of the Zr complex depend on the spatial separation of these N-H groups in the polymer backbone. A complex loading of 110 ± 15 pmol cm-2 is achieved on poly(hexamethylenehexylene)urethane, and 40 ± 10 pmol cm-2 is bound on the medically relevant polyurethane, tecoflex®. About 25% and 10% of these polymer surfaces, respectively, can be covered by RGD via the zirconium complex interface; because of its greater size, about 100% of both polymer surfaces is covered by PEG. The response of 3T3 fibroblasts to surface-treated and untreated tecoflex® is described.

Multifunctional cell-instructive materials for tissue regeneration

Current approaches in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have focused on controlling the presentation of various factors that influence cellular behavior and tissue formation. Numerous biomaterials have been utilized as sites for new tissue growth by migrating or transplanted cells, nanoscale control of cellular behavior through the presentation of specific peptide sequences, and depots for growth factor release. More recently, the development of bioresponsive materials has emerged as a promising approach to cede control of temporal macromolecule presentation and material degradation to invading cell populations. Biomaterials now have the potential of possessing multiple functions in the process of tissue regeneration. This review summarizes some of the recent advances in the use of multifunctional biomaterials in the arena of tissue engineering. Specifically, the potential of various materials is described as it pertains to the control of cellular behavior, integration of engineered materials with host or transplanted tissue, and inductive factor presentation.

Improved Mesenchymal Stem Cell Seeding on RGD-Modified Poly(L-lactic acid) Scaffolds using Flow Perfusion

Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) has been widely utilized to increase cell adhesion to three-dimensional scaffolds for tissue engineering. However, cell seeding on these scaffolds has only been carried out statically, which yields low cell seeding efficiencies. We have characterized, for the first time, the seeding of rat mesenchymal stem cells on RGD-modified poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) foams using oscillatory flow perfusion. The incorporation of RGD on the PLLA foams improves scaffold cellularity in a dose-dependent manner under oscillatory flow perfusion seeding. When compared to static seeding, oscillatory flow perfusion is the most efficient seeding technique. Cell detachment studies show that cell adhesion is dependent on the applied flow rate, and that cell attachment is strengthened at higher levels of RGD modification.

High-yield activation of scaffold polymer surfaces to attach cell adhesion molecules

Zirconium tetra(tert-butoxide) reacts with surface amide groups of polyamide nylon 6/6 to give (eta(2)-amidate)zirconium complexes in high yield. These surface complexes react to bond the cell-adhesive peptide arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) to the polymer surface. A surface loading of 0.18 nmol/cm(2) of RGD is achieved, which is 20-1000 times higher than previously reported attainable on natural or synthetic polymers by other strategies. Approximately 40% of the nylon surface is covered by the RGD, which gives a surface that is both stable to hydrolysis and highly active for cell adhesion and spreading in vitro.

The role of biomaterials in stem cell differentiation: applications in the musculoskeletal system

The capabilities of stem cells continue to be revealed, leading to excitement regarding potential new therapies. Regenerative medicine is an area in which stem cells hold great promise for overcoming the challenge of limited cell sources for tissue repair. Biomaterials play an important role in directing tissue growth and may provide another tool to manipulate and control stem cell behavior. Biomaterials are made from natural or synthetic polymers and can be processed into three-dimensional scaffolds designed to promote cell proliferation and/or differentiation that ultimately produces new tissue. Stem cells will have a significant impact on the fields of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering as a powerful cell source that will work, in conjunction with biomaterials, to treat tissue and organ loss. Herein, we survey our latest research on applying embryonic stem (ES) cells to hydrogel biomaterials for engineering musculoskeletal tissues, emphasizing the unique biomaterial requirements of ES cells for differentiation and tissue development.

Construction of epidermal growth factor fusion protein with cell adhesive activity

A novel protein for controlling cellular functions was constructed by combining functional units of various proteins. The Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence functioning as a cell adhesive function, an epidermal growth factor (EGF) as a cell growth function, and a hydrophobic sequence (E12) as an efficient assembling function, were combined and incorporated into one molecule. The fusion protein, designated ERE-EGF, was produced in Escherichia coli and purified with affinity chromatography using a His-tag. The ERE-EGF coated on an unmodified hydrophobic surface of a cell-culture plate (through the hydrophobic E12 moiety) retained both cell adhesive activity (through the RGD sequence) and cell growth activity (through the EGF moiety).

RGD Conjugation to Polyethyleneimine Does Not Improve DNA Delivery to Bone Marrow Stromal Cells

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) modified with therapeutic genes are being actively pursued for gene therapy protocols. To develop safe and effective nonviral methods for BMSC modification, the cationic polymer polyethyleneimine (PEI) has been utilized to condense plasmid DNA for intracellular delivery. This study was conducted to explore the feasibility of increasing the PEI's effectiveness by coupling integrin-binding arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptides to the polymer. BMSC from rats were isolated and expanded in culture for gene transfer studies. In contrast to our expectations, RGD-conjugated PEI did not exhibit an enhanced binding to BMSC. This was the case where the peptides were conjugated to PEI by short, disulfide linkages or long poly(ethylene glycol) linkages. Using a reporter gene for the enhanced green fluorescent protein, the transfection efficiency of RGD-conjugated PEI was also lower than the delivery by the native PEI, which exhibited equivalent transfection efficiency to that of an adenovirus. We conclude that native PEI was sufficient for the transformation of BMSC and that coupling of the integrin-binding RGD-peptides did not improve the effectiveness of this polymer for BMSC transfection.