Effect of the 3D Artificial Nichoid on the Morphology and Mechanobiological Response of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Cultured In Vitro

Stem cell fate and behavior are affected by the bidirectional communication of cells and their local microenvironment (the stem cell niche), which includes biochemical cues, as well as physical and mechanical factors. Stem cells are normally cultured in conventional two-dimensional monolayer, with a mechanical environment very different from the physiological one. Here, we compare culture of rat mesenchymal stem cells on flat culture supports and in the “Nichoid”, an innovative three-dimensional substrate micro-engineered to recapitulate the architecture of the physiological niche in vitro. Two versions of the culture substrates Nichoid (single-layered or “2D Nichoid” and multi-layered or “3D Nichoid”) were fabricated via two-photon laser polymerization in a biocompatible hybrid organic-inorganic photoresist (SZ2080). Mesenchymal stem cells, isolated from rat bone marrow, were seeded on flat substrates and on 2D and 3D Nichoid substrates and maintained in culture up to 2 weeks. During cell culture, we evaluated cell morphology, proliferation, cell motility and the expression of a panel of 89 mesenchymal stem cells’ specific genes, as well as intracellular structures organization. Our results show that mesenchymal stem cells adhered and grew in the 3D Nichoid with a comparable proliferation rate as compared to flat substrates. After seeding on flat substrates, cells displayed large and spread nucleus and cytoplasm, while cells cultured in the 3D Nichoid were spatially organized in three dimensions, with smaller and spherical nuclei. Gene expression analysis revealed the upregulation of genes related to stemness and to mesenchymal stem cells’ features in Nichoid-cultured cells, as compared to flat substrates. The observed changes in cytoskeletal organization of cells cultured on 3D Nichoids were also responsible for a different localization of the mechanotransducer transcription factor YAP, with an increase of the cytoplasmic retention in cells cultured in the 3D Nichoid. This difference could be explained by alterations in the import of transcription factors inside the nucleus due to the observed decrease of mean nuclear pore diameter, by transmission electron microscopy. Our data show that 3D distribution of cell volume has a profound effect on mesenchymal stem cells structure and on their mechanobiological response, and highlight the potential use of the 3D Nichoid substrate to strengthen the potential effects of MSC in vitro and in vivo.

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The nuclear import of the transcription factor MyoD is reduced in mesenchymal stem cells grown in a 3D micro-engineered niche

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-81920-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Emanuela Jacchetti ◽

Ramin Nasehi ◽

Lucia Boeri ◽

Valentina Parodi ◽

Alessandro Negro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Nuclear Envelope ◽

Cell Fate ◽

Nuclear Import ◽

Numerical Models ◽

Stem Cell Differentiation ◽

Nuclear Pore

AbstractSmart biomaterials are increasingly being used to control stem cell fate in vitro by the recapitulation of the native niche microenvironment. By integrating experimental measurements with numerical models, we show that in mesenchymal stem cells grown inside a 3D synthetic niche both nuclear transport of a myogenic factor and the passive nuclear diffusion of a smaller inert protein are reduced. Our results also suggest that cell morphology modulates nuclear proteins import through a partition of the nuclear envelope surface, which is a thin but extremely permeable annular portion in cells cultured on 2D substrates. Therefore, our results support the hypothesis that in stem cell differentiation, the nuclear import of gene-regulating transcription factors is controlled by a strain-dependent nuclear envelope permeability, probably related to the reorganization of stretch-activated nuclear pore complexes.

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Xenogenic Implantation of Equine Synovial Fluid-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Leads to Articular Cartilage Regeneration

Stem Cells International ◽

10.1155/2018/1073705 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Mohammed Zayed ◽

Steven Newby ◽

Nabil Misk ◽

Robert Donnell ◽

Madhu Dhar

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Articular Cartilage ◽

Synovial Fluid ◽

Cartilage Repair ◽

Cartilage Regeneration ◽

Large Animal

Horses are widely used as large animal preclinical models for cartilage repair studies, and hence, there is an interest in using equine synovial fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cells (SFMSCs) in research and clinical applications. Since, we have previously reported that similar to bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMMSCs), SFMSCs may also exhibit donor-to-donor variations in their stem cell properties; the current study was carried out as a proof-of-concept study, to compare the in vivo potential of equine BMMSCs and SFMSCs in articular cartilage repair. MSCs from these two sources were isolated from the same equine donor. In vitro analyses confirmed a significant increase in COMP expression in SFMSCs at day 14. The cells were then encapsulated in neutral agarose scaffold constructs and were implanted into two mm diameter full-thickness articular cartilage defect in trochlear grooves of the rat femur. MSCs were fluorescently labeled, and one week after treatment, the knee joints were evaluated for the presence of MSCs to the injured site and at 12 weeks were evaluated macroscopically, histologically, and then by immunofluorescence for healing of the defect. The macroscopic and histological evaluations showed better healing of the articular cartilage in the MSCs’ treated knee than in the control. Interestingly, SFMSC-treated knees showed a significantly higher Col II expression, suggesting the presence of hyaline cartilage in the healed defect. Data suggests that equine SFMSCs may be a viable option for treating osteochondral defects; however, their stem cell properties require prior testing before application.

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Fibroblast Growth Factors Regulate Stem Cell Functioning In Vitro and in Vivo.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v104.11.1705.1705 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 104 (11) ◽

pp. 1705-1705

Author(s):

Joyce S.G Yeoh ◽

Ronald van Os ◽

Ellen Weersing ◽

Bert Dontje ◽

Edo Vellenga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Growth Factors ◽

Cultured Cells ◽

Cell Activity ◽

Fibroblast Growth Factors ◽

Fibroblast Growth ◽

Stem Cell Activity

Abstract Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGF) are a large family of signaling molecules widely involved in tissue development, maintenance and repair. Little is known about the role of FGF/FGF-receptor signaling in the regulation of adult hematopoietic stem cells (HSC). In this study, we assessed the potential of exogenously added FGF-1/2, or retrovirally overexpressed FGF-1 to preserve HSC function in vitro and in vivo. First, we demonstrate that in vitro culture of unfractionated mouse bone marrow cells, in serum-free medium, supplemented with FGF-1 or FGF-2 or FGF-1 + 2 resulted in the robust generation of long-term repopulating (LTR) HSCs. Cultures were maintained for 12 weeks and during that time in vivo competitive reconstitution assays were performed. Stem cell activity was detectable at 3, 5, and 8 weeks after initiation of culture, but lost after 12 weeks. However, whereas 3 and 5 week cultured cells provided radioprotection in non-competitive assays, animals transplanted with 8 or 12 week cultured cells succumbed due to bone marrow failure. So far, we have been unable to expand single, highly purified Lin−Sca-1+c-Kit+ using FGF-1 + 2. Consequently, we speculated that essential intermediate cell populations or signals are required for FGF-induced stem cell conservation. To test this we cultured highly purified CD45.1 Lin−Sca-1+c-Kit+ cells in a co-culture with CD45.2 unfractionated BM. Co-cultured cells were transplanted after 5 weeks in lethally irradiated recipients, and CD45.1 chimerism levels were assessed. High levels of CD45.1 chimerism confirmed that Lin−Sca-1+c-Kit+ cells require an accessory signal in addition to FGF to induced stem cell activity in vitro. We subsequently tested stem cell potential of cells cultured in FGF-1 + 2 for 5 weeks, with the addition of SCF + IL-11 + Flt3L for the last 2, 4 or 7 days. Cell numbers increased with increasing time of growth factor presence. However, only when growth factors were present for 2 days engraftment of cultured cells in a competitive repopulation assay was increased 3.5-fold. Finally, we show by immunohistochemistry that ~10% of freshly isolated Lin−Sca-1+c-Kit+ expresses high levels of FGF-1. Retroviral overexpression of FGF-1 in stem cells resulted in increased growth potential and sustained clonogenic activity in vitro. Upon transplantation of transduced stem cells, FGF-1 overexpression resulted in increased white blood cell counts 4 weeks post-transplant compared to control animals. Most notable was a marked granulocytosis in FGF-1 overexpressing recipients Our results reveal FGF as an important regulator of HSC signaling and homeostasis. Importantly, in the presence of FGF stem cells can be maintained in vitro for 2 months. These findings open novel avenues for in vitro manipulation of stem cells for future clinical therapies.

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Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor Alpha as a Marker of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Development and Stem Cell Biology

Stem Cells International ◽

10.1155/2015/362753 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Ramin M. Farahani ◽

Munira Xaymardan

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Cell Biology ◽

Growth Factor Receptor ◽

Stem Cell Marker ◽

Factor Receptor Alpha ◽

Lines Of Evidence

Three decades on, the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been intensively researched on the bench top and used clinically. However, ambiguity still exists in regard to their anatomical locations, identities, functions, and extent of their differentiative abilities. One of the major impediments in the quest of the MSC research has been lack of appropriatein vivomarkers. In recent years, this obstacle has been resolved to some degree as PDGFRαemerges as an important mesenchymal stem cell marker. Accumulating lines of evidence are showing that the PDGFRα+cells reside in the perivascular locations of many adult interstitium and fulfil the classic concepts of MSCsin vitroandin vivo. PDGFRαhas long been recognised for its roles in the mesoderm formation and connective tissue development during the embryogenesis. Current review describes the lines of evidence regarding the role of PDGFRαin morphogenesis and differentiation and its implications for MSC biology.

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Constructing stem cell microenvironments using bioengineering approaches

Physiological Genomics ◽

10.1152/physiolgenomics.00099.2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 45 (23) ◽

pp. 1123-1135 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

David A. Brafman

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Cell Fate ◽

Disease Modeling ◽

Mechanical Stimuli ◽

Culture Methods ◽

Stem Cell Fate ◽

And Function

Within the adult organism, stem cells reside in defined anatomical microenvironments called niches. These architecturally diverse microenvironments serve to balance stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. Proper regulation of this balance is instrumental to tissue repair and homeostasis, and any imbalance can potentially lead to diseases such as cancer. Within each of these microenvironments, a myriad of chemical and physical stimuli interact in a complex (synergistic or antagonistic) manner to tightly regulate stem cell fate. The in vitro replication of these in vivo microenvironments will be necessary for the application of stem cells for disease modeling, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine purposes. However, traditional reductionist approaches have only led to the generation of cell culture methods that poorly recapitulate the in vivo microenvironment. To that end, novel engineering and systems biology approaches have allowed for the investigation of the biological and mechanical stimuli that govern stem cell fate. In this review, the application of these technologies for the dissection of stem cell microenvironments will be analyzed. Moreover, the use of these engineering approaches to construct in vitro stem cell microenvironments that precisely control stem cell fate and function will be reviewed. Finally, the emerging trend of using high-throughput, combinatorial methods for the stepwise engineering of stem cell microenvironments will be explored.

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Fetal liver mesenchymal stem cells restore ovarian function in premature ovarian insufficiency by targeting MT1

Stem Cell Research & Therapy ◽

10.1186/s13287-019-1490-8 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Boxian Huang ◽

Chunfeng Qian ◽

Chenyue Ding ◽

Qingxia Meng ◽

Qinyan Zou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Cell Therapy ◽

Stem Cell Therapy ◽

Ovarian Function ◽

Ovarian Insufficiency ◽

Apoptotic Genes

Abstract Background With the development of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering technology, almost all stem cell therapy is efficacious for the treatment of premature ovarian failure (POF) or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) animal models, whereas little stem cell therapy has been practiced in clinical settings. The underlying molecular mechanism and safety of stem cell treatment in POI are not fully understood. In this study, we explored whether fetal mesenchymal stem cells (fMSCs) from the liver restore ovarian function and whether melatonin membrane receptor 1 (MT1) acts as a regulator for treating POI disease. Methods We designed an in vivo model (chemotherapy-induced ovary damage) and an in vitro model (human ovarian granulosa cells (hGCs)) to understand the efficacy and molecular cues of fMSC treatment of POI. Follicle development was observed by H&E staining. The concentration of sex hormones in serum (E2, AMH, and FSH) and the concentration of oxidative and antioxidative metabolites and the enzymes MDA, SOD, CAT, LDH, GR, and GPx were measured by ELISA. Flow cytometry (FACS) was employed to detect the percentages of ROS and proliferation rates. mRNA and protein expression of antiapoptotic genes (SURVIVIN and BCL2), apoptotic genes (CASPASE-3 and CASPASE-9), and MT1 and its downstream genes (JNK1, PCNA, AMPK) were tested by qPCR and western blotting. MT1 siRNA and related antagonists were used to assess the mechanism. Results fMSC treatment prevented cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced follicle loss and recovered sex hormone levels. Additionally, fMSCs significantly decreased oxidative damage, increased oxidative protection, improved antiapoptotic effects, and inhibited apoptotic genes in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, fMSCs also upregulated MT1, JNK1, PCNA, and AMPK at the mRNA and protein levels. With MT1 knockdown or antagonist treatment in normal hGCs, the protein expression of JNK1, PCNA, and AMPK and the percentage of proliferation were impaired. Conclusions fMSCs might play a crucial role in mediating follicular development in the POI mouse model and stimulating the activity of POI hGCs by targeting MT1.

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Mesenchymal stem cells promote glioma neovascularization in vivo by fusing with cancer stem cells

BMC Cancer ◽

10.1186/s12885-019-6460-0 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Chao Sun ◽

Xingliang Dai ◽

Dongliang Zhao ◽

Haiyang Wang ◽

Xiaoci Rong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Tumor Growth ◽

Glioma Cells ◽

Stem Cell Markers ◽

Xenograft Tumor ◽

Angiogenic Effect

Abstract Background and objective Tumor angiogenesis is vital for tumor growth. Recent evidence indicated that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) can migrate to tumor sites and exert critical effects on tumor growth through direct and/or indirect interactions with tumor cells. However, the effect of BMSCs on tumor neovascularization has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate whether fusion cells from glioma stem cells and BMSCs participated in angiogenesis. Methods SU3-RFP cells were injected into the right caudate nucleus of NC-C57Bl/6 J-GFP nude mice, and the RFP+/GFP+ cells were isolated and named fusion cells. The angiogenic effects of SU3-RFP, BMSCs and fusion cells were compared in vivo and in vitro. Results Fusion cells showed elevated levels of CD31, CD34 and VE-Cadherin (markers of VEC) as compared to SU3-RFP and BMSCs. The MVD-CD31 in RFP+/GFP+ cell xenograft tumor was significantly greater as compared to that in SU3-RFP xenograft tumor. In addition, the expression of CD133 and stem cell markers Nanog, Oct4 and Sox2 were increased in fusion cells as compared to the parental cells. Fusion cells exhibited enhanced angiogenic effect as compared to parental glioma cells in vivo and in vitro, which may be related to their stem cell properties. Conclusion Fusion cells exhibited enhanced angiogenic effect as compared to parental glioma cells in vivo and in vitro, which may be related to their stem cell properties. Hence, cell fusion may contribute to glioma angiogenesis.

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The Effects of Conditioned Medium Derived from Mesenchymal Stem Cells Cocultured with Hepatocytes on Damaged Hepatocytes and Acute Liver Failure in Rats

Stem Cells International ◽

10.1155/2018/9156560 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Li Chen ◽

Jiexin Zhang ◽

Lu Yang ◽

Guoying Zhang ◽

Yingjie Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽

Liver Failure ◽

Acute Liver Failure ◽

Conditioned Medium ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

L02 Cells ◽

Cells Cultured

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and hepatocytes are two attractive sources of cell-based therapies for acute liver failure (ALF). The cotransplantation of hepatocytes with MSCs can improve the therapeutic performance for the treatment of ALF. However, the therapeutic potential of conditioned medium (CM) derived from MSCs cocultured with hepatocytes (MSC-H-CM) remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of MSC-H-CM on damaged hepatocytes in vitro and on D-galactosamine-induced ALF in vivo. D-Galactosamine-treated L02 cells cultured in MSC-H-CM exhibited higher of cell viability and total protein synthesis than L02 cells cultured in MSC-CM, CM derived from hepatocytes (H-CM), MSC-CM + H-CM, or with nonconditioned medium (NCM). Lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were lower in the supernatant of damaged L02 cells cultured in MSC-H-CM than in that of L02 cells cultured in other types of CM. The lowest percentage of apoptotic cells was observed after the MSC-H-CM treatment. When CM was injected into the tail vein of rats with ALF, MSC-H-CM was the most successful at preventing the release of liver injury biomarkers and in promoting the recovery of liver structure. The greatest survival rate 7 days after the first treatment was observed in the MSC-H-CM-treated rats. Our results reveal that the delivery of MSC-H-CM could be a novel strategy for integrating the therapeutic potentials of hepatocytes and MSCs for the treatment of ALF.

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Functions of Circular RNAs in Regulating Adipogenesis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Stem Cells International ◽

10.1155/2020/3763069 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Fanglin Wang ◽

Xiang Li ◽

Zhiyuan Li ◽

Shoushuai Wang ◽

Jun Fan

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Cell Differentiation ◽

Stem Cell Differentiation ◽

Circular Rna ◽

Circular Rnas ◽

Differentiation Process

The mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known as highly plastic stem cells and can differentiate into specialized tissues such as adipose tissue, osseous tissue, muscle tissue, and nervous tissue. The differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells is very important in regenerative medicine. Their differentiation process is regulated by signaling pathways of epigenetic, transcriptional, and posttranscriptional levels. Circular RNA (circRNA), a class of noncoding RNAs generated from protein-coding genes, plays a pivotal regulatory role in many biological processes. Accumulated studies have demonstrated that several circRNAs participate in the cell differentiation process of mesenchymal stem cells in vitro and in vivo. In the current review, characteristics and functions of circRNAs in stem cell differentiation will be discussed. The mechanism and key role of circRNAs in regulating mesenchymal stem cell differentiation, especially adipogenesis, will be reviewed and discussed. Understanding the roles of these circRNAs will present us with a more comprehensive signal path network of modulating stem cell differentiation and help us discover potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in clinic.

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Early Developmental Zebrafish Embryo Extract to Modulate Senescence in Multisource Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms20112646 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (11) ◽

pp. 2646 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Federica Facchin ◽

Francesco Alviano ◽

Silvia Canaider ◽

Eva Bianconi ◽

Martina Rossi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Zebrafish Embryo ◽

Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽

Cell Senescence ◽

Embryo Extract ◽

Early Developmental

Stem cells undergo senescence both in vivo, contributing to the progressive decline in self-healing mechanisms, and in vitro during prolonged expansion. Here, we show that an early developmental zebrafish embryo extract (ZF1) could act as a modulator of senescence in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) isolated from both adult tissues, including adipose tissue (hASCs), bone marrow (hBM-MSCs), dental pulp (hDP-MSCs), and a perinatal tissue such as the Wharton’s Jelly (hWJ-MSCs). In all the investigated hMSCs, ZF1 decreased senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA β-gal) activity and enhanced the transcription of TERT, encoding the catalytic telomerase core. In addition, it was associated, only in hASCs, with a transcriptional induction of BMI1, a pleiotropic repressor of senescence. In hBM-MSCs, hDP-MSCs, and hWJ-MSCs, TERT over-expression was concomitant with a down-regulation of two repressors of TERT, TP53 (p53), and CDKN1A (p21). Furthermore, ZF1 increased the natural ability of hASCs to perform adipogenesis. These results indicate the chance of using ZF1 to modulate stem cell senescence in a source-related manner, to be potentially used as a tool to affect stem cell senescence in vitro. In addition, its anti-senescence action could also set the basis for future in vivo approaches promoting tissue rejuvenation bypassing stem cell transplantation.

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