The direction of human mesenchymal stem cells into the chondrogenic lineage is influenced by the features of hydrogel carriers

A Hansson; A Wenger; H Barreto Henriksson; S Li; B R Johansson; H Brisby

doi:10.1016/j.tice.2016.12.004

The direction of human mesenchymal stem cells into the chondrogenic lineage is influenced by the features of hydrogel carriers

Tissue Cell. 2017 Feb;49(1):35-44. doi: 10.1016/j.tice.2016.12.004. Epub 2016 Dec 13.

Authors

A Hansson¹, A Wenger¹, H Barreto Henriksson², S Li³, B R Johansson⁴, H Brisby⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthopaedics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.
² Department of Orthopaedics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Orthopaedics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. Electronic address: helena.barreto.henriksson@gu.se.
³ Department of Clinical Chemistry and Transfusion Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
⁴ The Electron Microscopy Unit, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
⁵ Department of Orthopaedics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Orthopaedics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.

PMID: 28011039
DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2016.12.004

Abstract

Low back pain is a major public health issue in the Western world, one main cause is believed to be intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. To halt/diminish IVD degeneration, cell therapy using different biomaterials e.g. hydrogels as cell carriers has been suggested. In this study, two different hydrogels were examined (in vitro) as potential cell carriers for human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) intended for IVD transplantation. The aim was to investigate cell-survival and chondrogenic differentiation of hMSCs when cultured in hydrogels Puramatrix^® or Hydromatrix^® and potential effects of stimulation with growth hormone (GH). hMSCs/hydrogel cultures were investigated for cell-viability, attachment, gene expression of chondrogenic markers SOX9, COL2A1, ACAN and accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). In both hydrogel types, hMSCs were viable for 28days, expressed integrin β1 which indicates adhesion of hMSCs. Differentiation was observed into chondrocyte-like cells, in a higher extent in hMSCs/Hydromatrix^® cultures when compared to hMSCs/Puramatrix^® hydrogel cultures. Gene expression analyses of chondrogenic markers verified results. hMSCs/hydrogel cultures stimulated with GH displayed no significant effects on chondrogenesis. In conclusion, both hydrogels, especially Hydromatrix^® was demonstrated as a promising cell carrier in vitro for hMSCs, when directed into chondrogenesis. This knowledge could be useful in biological approaches for regeneration of degenerated human IVDs.

Keywords: Cell carrier; Chondrogenesis; Disc degeneration; Human mesenchymal stem cells; Hydrogels; Intervertebral disc.

MeSH terms

Cell Culture Techniques
Cell Differentiation / drug effects*
Cell Line
Cell Lineage
Cell Proliferation / drug effects
Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
Chondrogenesis / drug effects*
Humans
Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / administration & dosage*
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / therapy
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation*
Mesenchymal Stem Cells / drug effects

Substances

Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate