Extracellular Matrix Modulation of rhGDF-5-Induced Cellular Differentiation

Gene Expression Regulation underlying Osteo-, Adipo-, and Chondro-Genic Lineage Commitment of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Human mesenchymal stem cells have a high potential in regenerative medicine. They can be isolated from a variety of adult tissues, including bone marrow, and can be differentiated into multiple cell types of the mesodermal lineage, including adipocytes, osteocytes, and chondrocytes. Stem cell differentiation is controlled by a process of interacting lineage-specific and multipotent genes. In this chapter, the authors use full genome microarrays to explore gene expression profiles in the process of Osteo-, Adipo-, and Chondro-Genic lineage commitment of human mesenchymal stem cells.

Synergistic effects of growth and differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5) and insulin on expanded chondrocytes in a 3-D environment

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of growth and differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5) alone or in combination with insulin on engineered cartilage from primary or expanded chondrocytes during 3-dimensional in vitro culture.

DESIGN

Juvenile bovine chondrocytes were seeded either as primary or as expanded (passage 2) cells onto polyglycolic acid fiber meshes and cultured for 3 weeks in vitro. Additionally, adult human chondrocytes were grown in pellet culture after expansion (passage 2). The culture medium was supplemented either with GDF-5 in varying concentrations or insulin alone, or with combinations thereof.

RESULTS

For primary chondrocytes, the combination of GDF-5 and insulin led to increased proliferation and construct weight, as compared to either factor alone, however, the production of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and collagen per cell were not affected. With expanded bovine chondrocytes, the use of GDF-5 or insulin alone led to only very small constructs with no type II collagen detectable. However, the combination of GDF-5 (0.01 or 0.1 microg/ml) and insulin (2.5 microg/ml) yielded cartilaginous constructs and, in contrast to the primary cells, the observed redifferentiating effects were elicited on the cellular level independent of proliferation (increased production of GAG and collagen per cell, clear shift in collagen subtype expression with type II collagen observed throughout the construct). The synergistic redifferentiating effects of the GDF-5/insulin combination were confirmed with expanded adult human cells, also exhibiting a clear shift in collagen subtype expression on the mRNA and protein level.

CONCLUSIONS

In combination with insulin, GDF-5 appears to enable the redifferentiation of expanded chondrocytes and the concurrent generation of cartilaginous constructs. The demonstration of these synergistic effects also for adult human chondrocytes supports the clinical relevance of the findings.

Recombinant human growth/differentiation factor-5 (rhGDF-5) induced bone formation in murine calvariae

OBJECTIVES

Growth/differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5), a member of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily, shows a close structural relationship to bone morphogenetic proteins and plays crucial roles in skeletal morphogenesis. Recombinant human (rh) GDF-5 was reported as a suitable factor for enhancing healing in bone defect and inducing ectopic bone formation. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of bone formation induced by rhGDF-5 in murine calvariae by radiological, histological and immunohistochemical methods. Cell proliferation was also examined in vitro.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cells including primary osteoblasts, periosteum cells and connective tissue fibroblasts were isolated enzymatically from neonatal murine calvariae or head skin. In the presence or absence of rhGDF-5, cell proliferation was estimated by tetrazolium reduction assay. To examine the mechanism of osteoinduction, rhGDF-5/atelocollagen (AC) composite or 0.01 N HCl/AC composite were injected into murine calvariae subcutaneously. Tissue was examined radiologically, histologically and immunohistochemically.

RESULTS

In the presence of rhGDF-5, proliferation of primary osteoblasts, periosteum cells, and connective tissue fibroblasts was increased significantly in culture. Immunohistochemical observations showed cells at the site injected with rhGDF-5/AC displayed immunoreactivity for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Newly formed bone- and cartilage-like tissue contained chondrocyte osteocyte and osteoclastic cells, and were immunoreactive for both type I and II collagen.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to GDF-5 promotes proliferation and differentiation of calvarial cells, which give rise to ectopic bone formation.

Effects of growth/differentiation factor-5 on human periodontal ligament cells

OBJECTIVES

Growth/differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5), a member of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily, shows a close structural relationship to bone morphogenetic proteins and plays crucial roles in skeletal, tendon, and ligament morphogenesis. The mRNA encoding GDF-5 is also expressed during odontogenesis, especially in dental follicle tissue. While this suggests that GDF-5 participates in the formation of alveolar bone and the periodontal ligament, cementum, and dental root, the physiologic role of GDF-5 in these tissues in adulthood remains unclear. We therefore investigated GDF-5 effects upon cultures of human periodontal ligament (HPDL) cells.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

HPDL cells were obtained from healthy periodontal ligaments of individuals. Tetrazolium reduction assay was carried out for cell proliferation assay. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was estimated by measuring light absorbance at 405 nm. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and northern analysis were performed for gene expression in cultured HPDL cells. Sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) synthesis was evaluated by histochemical staining and a quantitative dye-binding method.

RESULTS

Expression of GDF-5 and its receptor was demonstrated in HPDL cells by RT-PCR. ALP activity in HPDL cells was significantly decreased by addition of rhGDF-5 at 10-1000 ng/ml (p < 0.05). Although northern analysis showed little change in gene expression for collagen alpha2(I) in rhGDF-5-stimulated HPDL cells, rhGDF-5 dose-dependently enhanced cell proliferation. This proliferative effect persisted for 16 d. Alcian blue staining and dye-binding assays indicated that sGAG synthesis was enhanced by rhGDF-5.

CONCLUSION

rhGDF-5 may provide an environment fostering periodontal healing or regeneration by affecting extracellular matrix metabolism.

Spinal fusion with recombinant human growth and differentiation factor-5 combined with a mineralized collagen matrix

The availability of recombinant osteoinductive growth factors and new osteoconductive matrices offers an alternative to the use of autogenous bone (autograft) for grafting indications. This study evaluates the bone-forming activity of a mineralized collagen matrix combined with recombinant human growth and differentiation factor-5 in a rabbit posterolateral spinal fusion model. The activity of three distinct matrix-growth factor formulations is assessed by radiographic, histologic, and mechanical strength methods. Results show that the radiographic density, histologic quality, and mechanical strength of fusion at 12 weeks post-treatment rank consistently within the treatment groups. Optimal formulations are shown to perform similar to autograft in both the rate and strength of fusion. Fusion rates as high as 80% are observed within specific matrix/growth factor formulations. The average biomechanical strength of treated motion segments in the most efficacious formulation is 82% higher than that obtained with autograft, although this difference is not statistically significant. The fusion mass formed in response to matrix/growth factor formulations is composed of normal trabecular bone with a thin outer cortical plate and modest hematopoietic bone marrow. These results demonstrate that the combination of a mineralized collagen matrix with recombinant human growth and differentiation factor-5 maximizes the inherent conductive and inductive properties of each component, respectively, to provide an effective alternative to autograft for bone grafting procedures.