Introduction Stem cell differentiation can be influenced by many kinds of signals such as soluble factors, substrate stiffness and geometry. Internalization of particles can have significant impact on cell functions such as adhesion, proliferation and migration. However, the impact of particles inside cells on the fate of stem cells has not been well studied yet. Therefore it would be of importance to discuss the potential influence of nanoparticles with defined size, surface chemistry and stiffness on the interactions with mesenchymal stem cells, especially the differentiation behaviours. On one hand, this kind of study will provide design criteria of particles, which can have better functions in biological applications such as modulating the differentiation potential of stem cells. On the other hand, the impact of particles on cell functions will be evaluated to address the safety issue. Experiments PLGA/BSA and Fe3O4/BSA nanoparticles with tunable size and surface chemistry were prepared and characterized. The cellular uptake of fluorescent labeled particles was followed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and flowcytometry. The impact of particles on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of MSCs was studied by quantificating the expressions of several differentiation markers such as Osteocalcin (OCN), Collagen type I, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma and lipoprotein lipase at both mRNA and protein levels by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis and western blotting (WB) assay. Results and Conclusion The particles can be ingested into the MSCs and did not have significant impact on cell morphology and viability. After incubated with certain particles for 21 days, the expressions of differentiation markers were influenced, leading to the alternation of the differentiation potential of the MSCs. More importantly, this impact is dependent on the physiochemical properties of the nanomaterials and their interaction pattern with the cells. The results demonstrate a potential magnetic manipulation method for stem cell differentiation, and also convey the significance of careful evaluation of the safety issue of magnetic particles in real application situation.

Properties of polymeric particles dominate cellular uptake and subsequent influences on the fate of mesenchymal stem cells

254th National Meeting (2017)

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