Biomineral/Agarose Composite Gels Enhance Proliferation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells with Osteogenic Capability

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Yoshika Suzawa¹  Norihiko Kubo⁴  Soichi Iwai¹  Yoshiaki Yura¹  Hajime Ohgushi³  Mitsuru Akashi² 

[1] Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery II, Graduate School of Dentistry Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; E-Mails:;Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Osaka 562-0871, Japan; E-Mail:;Health Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Amagasaki, Hyogo 661-0974, Japan;Miyata Dental Clinic, Miyazaki 880-0902, Japan; E-Mail:

关键词: hydroxyapatite;    calcium carbonate;    agarose;    mesenchymal stem cells;    tissue engineering;    bone;    osteogenesis;    bone marrow;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms160614245

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Hydroxyapatite (HA) or calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) formed on an organic polymer of agarose gel is a biomaterial that can be used for bone tissue regeneration. However, in critical bone defects, the regeneration capability of these materials is limited. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells that can differentiate into bone forming osteoblasts. In this study, we loaded MSCs on HA- or CaCO₃-formed agarose gel and cultured them with dexamethasone, which triggers the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. High alkaline phosphatase activity was detected on both the HA- and CaCO₃-formed agarose gels; however, basal activity was only detected on bare agarose gel. Bone-specific osteocalcin content was detected on CaCO₃-formed agarose gel on Day 14 of culture, and levels subsequently increased over time. Similar osteocalcin content was detected on HA-formed agarose on Day 21 and levels increased on Day 28. In contrast, only small amounts of osteocalcin were found on bare agarose gel. Consequently, osteogenic capability of MSCs was enhanced on CaCO₃-formed agarose at an early stage, and both HA- and CaCO₃-formed agarose gels well supported the capability at a later stage. Therefore, MSCs loaded on either HA- or CaCO₃-formed agarose could potentially be employed for the repair of critical bone defects.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.