Thermoreversible hyaluronan-based hydrogel supports in vitro and ex vivo disc-like differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells

Peroglio, Marianna; Eglin, David; Benneker, Lorin M.; Alini, Mauro; Grad, Sibylle (2013). Thermoreversible hyaluronan-based hydrogel supports in vitro and ex vivo disc-like differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. Spine Journal, 13(11), pp. 1627-1639. Elsevier 10.1016/j.spinee.2013.05.029

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BACKGROUND CONTEXT

The fate of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) supplied to the degenerating intervertebral disc (IVD) is still not fully understood and can be negatively affected by low oxygen, pH, and glucose concentration of the IVD environment. The hMSC survival and yield upon injection of compromised IVD could be improved by the use of an appropriate carrier and/or by predifferentiation of hMSCs before injection.

PURPOSE

To optimize hMSC culture conditions in thermoreversible hyaluronan-based hydrogel, hyaluronan-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (HA-pNIPAM), to achieve differentiation toward the disc phenotype in vitro, and evaluate whether preconditioning contributes to a better hMSC response ex vivo.

STUDY DESIGN

In vitro and ex vivo whole-organ culture of hMSCs.

METHODS

In vitro cultures of hMSCs were conducted in HA-pNIPAM and alginate for 1 week under hypoxia in chondropermissive medium alone and with the supplementation of transforming growth factor β1 or growth and differentiation factor 5 (GDF-5). Ex vivo, hMSCs were either suspended in HA-pNIPAM and directly supplied to the IVDs or predifferentiated with GDF-5 for 1 week in HA-pNIPAM and then supplied to the IVDs. Cell viability was evaluated by Live-Dead assay, and DNA, glycosaminoglycan (GAG), and gene expression profiles were used to assess hMSC differentiation toward the disc phenotype.

RESULTS

The HA-pNIPAM induced hMSC differentiation toward the disc phenotype more effectively than alginate: in vitro, higher GAG/DNA ratio and higher collagen type II, SOX9, cytokeratin-19, cluster of differentiation 24, and forkhead box protein F1 expressions were found for hMSCs cultured in HA-pNIPAM compared with those cultured in alginate, regardless of the addition of growth factors. Ex vivo, direct combination of HA-pNIPAM with the disc environment induced a stronger disc-like differentiation of hMSCs than predifferentiation of hMSCs followed by their delivery to the discs.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyaluronan-based thermoreversible hydrogel supports hMSC differentiation toward the disc phenotype without the need for growth factor supplementation in vitro and ex vivo. Further in vivo studies are required to confirm the suitability of this hydrogel as an effective stem cell carrier for the treatment of IVD degeneration.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Orthopaedic, Plastic and Hand Surgery (DOPH) > Clinic of Orthopaedic Surgery
UniBE Contributor:	Benneker, Lorin Michael
Subjects:	600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health
ISSN:	1529-9430, 1878-1632
Publisher:	Elsevier
Language:	English
Submitter:	Stephanie Schmutz
Date Deposited:	08 Apr 2014 10:34
Last Modified:	05 Dec 2022 14:29
Publisher DOI:	10.1016/j.spinee.2013.05.029
PubMed ID:	23830827
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Human mesenchymal stem cells, Hyaluronan, Intervertebral disc, Thermoreversible hydrogel, Whole-organ culture
URI:	https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/42818