Stem/progenitor cell-mediated de novo regeneration of dental pulp with newly deposited continuous layer of dentin in an in vivo model.

The ultimate goal of this study is to regenerate lost dental pulp and dentin via stem/progenitor cell-based approaches and tissue engineering technologies. In this study, we tested the possibility of regenerating vascularized human dental pulp in emptied root canal space and producing new dentin on existing dentinal walls using a stem/progenitor cell-mediated approach with a human root fragment and an immunocompromised mouse model. Stem/progenitor cells from apical papilla and dental pulp stem cells were isolated, characterized, seeded onto synthetic scaffolds consisting of poly-D,L-lactide/glycolide, inserted into the tooth fragments, and transplanted into mice.

Reconstitution of marrow-derived extracellular matrix ex vivo: a robust culture system for expanding large-scale highly functional human mesenchymal stem cells.

The difficulty in long-term expansion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) using standard culture systems without the loss of their stem cell properties suggests that a critical feature of their microenvironment necessary for retention of stem cell properties is absent in these culture systems. We report here the reconstitution of a native extracellular matrix (ECM) made by human marrow cells ex vivo, which consists of at least collagen types I and III, fibronectin, small leucine-rich proteoglycans such as biglycan and decorin, and major components of basement membrane such as the large molecular weight proteoglycan perlecan and laminin. Expansion of human MSCs on this ECM strongly promoted their proliferation, retained their stem cell properties with a low level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and substantially increased their response to BMP-2.

Interleukin-6 maintains bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell stemness by an ERK1/2-dependent mechanism.

Adult human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold promise for an increasing list of therapeutic uses due to their ease of isolation, expansion, and multi-lineage differentiation potential. To maximize the clinical potential of MSCs, the underlying mechanisms by which MSC functionality is controlled must be understood. We have taken a deconstructive approach to understand the individual components in vitro, namely the role of candidate "stemness" genes.

Beta4 integrin promotes osteosarcoma metastasis and interacts with ezrin.

The development of pulmonary metastasis is the major cause of death in osteosarcoma, and its molecular basis is poorly understood. In this study, we show that beta4 integrin is highly expressed in human osteosarcoma cell lines and tumor samples. Furthermore, highly metastatic MNNG-HOS cells have increased levels of beta4 integrin.

Sternal repair with bone grafts engineered from amniotic mesenchymal stem cells.

Purpose: We aimed at determining whether osseous grafts engineered from amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (aMSCs) could be used in postnatal sternal repair.

Methods: Leporine aMSCs were isolated, identified, transfected with green fluorescent protein (GFP), expanded, and seeded onto biodegradable electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds (n = 6). Constructs were dynamically maintained in an osteogenic medium and equally divided into 2 groups with respect to time in vitro as follows: 14.

Putative heterotopic ossification progenitor cells derived from traumatized muscle.

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a frequent complication following combat-related trauma, but the pathogenesis of traumatic HO is poorly understood. Building on our recent identification of mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) in traumatically injured muscle, the goal of this study was to evaluate the osteogenic potential of the MPCs in order to assess the role of these cells in HO formation. Compared to bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), a well-characterized population of osteoprogenitor cells, the MPCs exhibited several significant differences during osteogenic differentiation and in the expression of genes related to osteogenesis.

A role for gamma/delta T cells in a mouse model of fracture healing.

Objective: Fractures can initiate an immune response that disturbs osteoblastic and osteoclastic cellular homeostasis through cytokine production and release. The aim of our study was to investigate gamma/delta T cells, innate lymphocytes known to be involved in tissue repair, as potential cellular components of the osteoimmune system's response to an in vivo model of bone injury. The absence of such cells or their effector cytokines influences the fate of other responder cells in proliferation, differentiation, matrix production, and ultimate callus formation.

Transient exposure to transforming growth factor beta 3 improves the mechanical properties of mesenchymal stem cell-laden cartilage constructs in a density-dependent manner.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an attractive cell source for cartilage tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, the use of these cells has been limited by their reduced ability to form functional tissue compared to chondrocytes when placed in three-dimensional culture systems. To optimize MSC functional chondrogenesis, we examined the effects of increasing seeding density and transient application of transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGF-beta3), two factors previously shown to improve growth of chondrocyte-based constructs.

Human mesenchymal stem cells express vascular cell phenotypes upon interaction with endothelial cell matrix.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are thought to occupy a perivascular niche where they are exposed to signals originating from vascular cells. This study focused on the effects of endothelial cell (EC)-derived signals on MSC differentiation toward vascular cell lineages. Upon co-culture with two types of ECs, macrovascular (macro) ECs and microvascular (micro) ECs, the former caused MSCs to increase expression of both EC and smooth muscle cell (SMC) markers, while the latter induced expression of EC markers only.

Mesenchymal stem cell modification of endothelial matrix regulates their vascular differentiation.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) respond to a variety of differentiation signal provided by their local environments. A large portion of these signals originate from the extracellular matrix (ECM). At the same time, MSCs secrete various matrix-altering agents, including proteases, that alter ECM-encoded differentiation signals.

Fabrication and application of nanofibrous scaffolds in tissue engineering.

Nanofibers fabricated by electrospinning are morphological mimics of fibrous components of the native extracellular matrix, making nanofibrous scaffolds ideal for three-dimensional cell culture and tissue engineering applications. Although electrospinning is not a conventional technique in cell biology, the experimental setup may be constructed in a relatively straightforward manner, and the procedure can be carried out by individuals with limited engineering experience. Here, we detail a protocol for electrospinning of nanofibers and provide relevant specific details concerning the optimization of fiber formation (Basic Protocol 1).

Modulation of osteogenesis in human mesenchymal stem cells by specific pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation.

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are a promising candidate cell type for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering applications by virtue of their capacity for self-renewal and multipotent differentiation. Our intent was to characterize the effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs in vitro. hMSCs isolated from the bone marrow of adult patients were cultured with osteogenic medium for up to 28 days and exposed to daily PEMF stimulation with single, narrow 300 micros quasi-rectangular pulses with a repetition rate of 7.

ERK1/2 activation induced by inflammatory cytokines compromises effective host tissue integration of engineered cartilage.

Objective: Proinflammatory cytokines are known to provoke degradative signaling cascades that promote extracellular matrix disintegration in articular cartilage. Because integration of the repair tissue into the surrounding native cartilage to produce a mechanically stable interface has a profound impact on the viability and functionality of the restored joint surface, this study examined the effects of proinflammatory cytokines on the properties of tissue-engineered cartilage in the context of integration.

Methods: Using an established in vitro cartilage defect model, we examined the integration of chondrocyte-laden agarose constructs into native articular cartilage and the biochemical and biomechanical alterations of these implants upon treatment with interleukin 1-beta (IL1-beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).

Engineering on the straight and narrow: the mechanics of nanofibrous assemblies for fiber-reinforced tissue regeneration.

Tissue engineering of fibrous tissues of the musculoskeletal system represents a considerable challenge because of the complex architecture and mechanical properties of the component structures. Natural healing processes in these dense tissues are limited as a result of the mechanically challenging environment of the damaged tissue and the hypocellularity and avascular nature of the extracellular matrix. When healing does occur, the ordered structure of the native tissue is replaced with a disorganized fibrous scar with inferior mechanical properties, engendering sites that are prone to re-injury.

Mesenchymal progenitor cells derived from traumatized human muscle.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from adult tissues are an important candidate cell type for cell-based tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Currently, clinical applications for MSCs require additional surgical procedures to harvest the autologous MSCs (i.e.

Inhibition of histone deacetylases antagonized FGF2 and IL-1beta effects on MMP expression in human articular chondrocytes.

Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) stimulate the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in articular chondrocytes, which may contribute to cartilage degradation and development of osteoarthritis. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) have recently been implicated in the regulation of MMP gene expression. To investigate the functional involvement of HDACs in the signaling pathway of FGF2 and IL-1beta, we examined the effects of HDAC inhibition on activities of FGF2 or IL-1beta on gene expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5 (ADAMTS5), collagen type II, and aggrecan.

Intervertebral disc cell response to dynamic compression is age and frequency dependent.

The maintenance of the intervertebral disc extracellular matrix is regulated by mechanical loading, nutrition, and the accumulation of matrix proteins and cytokines that are affected by both aging and degeneration. Evidence suggests that cellular aging may lead to alterations in the quantity and quality of extracellular matrix produced. The aims of this study were to examine the role of loading and maturation (a subset of aging), and the interaction between these two factors in intervertebral disc cell gene expression and biosynthesis in a controlled 3D culture environment.

Evaluation of articular cartilage repair using biodegradable nanofibrous scaffolds in a swine model: a pilot study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate a cell-seeded nanofibrous scaffold for cartilage repair in vivo. We used a biodegradable poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibrous scaffold seeded with allogeneic chondrocytes or xenogeneic human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), or acellular PCL scaffolds, with no implant as a control to repair iatrogenic, 7 mm full-thickness cartilage defects in a swine model. Six months after implantation, MSC-seeded constructs showed the most complete repair in the defects compared to other groups.

Differentiation potential of multipotent progenitor cells derived from war-traumatized muscle tissue.

Background: Recent military conflicts have resulted in numerous extremity injuries requiring complex orthopaedic reconstructive procedures, which begin with a thorough débridement of all contaminated and necrotic tissue in the zone of injury. The site of injury is also the site of healing, and we propose that débrided muscle tissue contains cells with robust reparative and regenerative potential.

Methods: Débrided muscle from soldiers who had sustained traumatic open extremity injuries was collected during surgical débridement procedures at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

In vitro adipose tissue engineering using an electrospun nanofibrous scaffold.

Electrospun 3-dimensional nanofibrous scaffolds share morphologic similarities to collagen fibrils, and promote favorable biologic responses of seeded cells. In this study, we have fabricated a 3-dimensional nanofibrous scaffold made of poly L-lactic acid, and examined its ability to support and maintain the adipogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. After a 21-day incubation, oil red O staining of constructs treated with adipogenic supplements revealed positive adipose-like staining, compared with lack of staining in untreated cultures.

Mesenchymal stem cells in arthritic diseases.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), the nonhematopoietic progenitor cells found in various adult tissues, are characterized by their ease of isolation and their rapid growth in vitro while maintaining their differentiation potential, allowing for extensive culture expansion to obtain large quantities suitable for therapeutic use. These properties make MSCs an ideal candidate cell type as building blocks for tissue engineering efforts to regenerate replacement tissues and repair damaged structures as encountered in various arthritic conditions. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common arthritic condition and, like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), presents an inflammatory environment with immunological involvement and this has been an enduring obstacle that can potentially limit the use of cartilage tissue engineering.

Mechanoactive tenogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells.

A mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-seeded collagen gel under static or dynamic tension is a well-established model to study the potential of MSCs in regenerating a tendon- or ligament-like tissue. Using this model, upregulation of fibrillar collagen mRNA expression and protein production has been demonstrated in response to cyclic tensile mechanical stimulation. However, the mechanisms driving MSC tenogenesis (differentiation into tendon or ligament fibroblasts) have not been elucidated.

Intervertebral disc tissue engineering using a novel hyaluronic acid-nanofibrous scaffold (HANFS) amalgam.

Degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD) represents a significant musculoskeletal disease burden. Although spinal fusion has some efficacy in pain management, spine biomechanics is ultimately compromised. In addition, there is inherent limitation of hardware-based IVD replacement prostheses, which underscores the importance of biological approaches to disc repair.

What are the local and systemic biologic reactions and mediators to wear debris, and what host factors determine or modulate the biologic response to wear particles?

New clinical and basic science data on the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which wear particles stimulate the host inflammatory response have provided deeper insight into the pathophysiology of periprosthetic bone loss. Interactions among wear particles, macrophages, osteoblasts, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and T cells contribute to the production of pro-inflammatory and pro-osteoclastogenic cytokines such as TNF-alpha, RANKL, M-SCF, PGE2, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-8. These cytokines not only promote osteoclastogenesis but interfere with osteogenesis led by osteoprogenitor cells.