Nanomaterials enhance osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells similar to a short peptide of BMP-7

Jaclyn Lock, Huinan Liu Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA Background: Nanomaterials have unique advantages in controlling stem cell function due to their biomimetic characteristics and special biological and mechanical properties. Controlling adhesion and differentiation of stem cells is critical for tissue regeneration. Methods: This in vitro study investigated the effects of nano-hydroxyapatite, nano-hydroxyapatite-polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) composites, and a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-7)-derived short peptide (DIF-7c) on osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). The peptide was chemically functionalized onto nano-hydroxyapatite, incorporated into a nanophase hydroxyapatite-PLGA composite or PLGA control, or directly injected into culture media. Results: Unlike the PLGA control, the nano-hydroxyapatite-PLGA composites promoted adhesion of human MSC. Importantly, nano-hydroxyapatite and nano-hydroxyapatite-PLGA composites promoted osteogenic differentiation of human MSCs, comparable with direct injection of the DIF-7c peptide into culture media. Conclusion: Nano-hydroxyapatite and nano-hydroxyapatite-PLGA composites provide a promising alternative in directing the adhesion and differentiation of human MSC. These nanocomposites should be studied further to clarify their effects on MSC functions and bone remodeling in vivo, eventually translating to clinical applications. Keywords: human mesenchymal stem cells, osteogenesis, stem cell differentiation, bone morphogenetic protein, peptide delivery, nanocomposite

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Nanomaterials enhance osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells similar to a short peptide of BMP-7.

BackgroundNanomaterials have unique advantages in controlling stem cell function due to their biomimetic characteristics and special biological and mechanical properties. Controlling adhesion and differentiation of stem cells is critical for tissue regeneration.MethodsThis in vitro study investigated the effects of nano-hydroxyapatite, nano-hydroxyapatite-polylactide- co-glycolide (PLGA) composites, and a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-7)- derived short peptide (DIF-7c) on osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). The peptide was chemically functionalized onto nano-hydroxyapatite, incorporated into a nanophase hydroxyapatite-PLGA composite or PLGA control, or directly injected into culture media.ResultsUnlike the PLGA control, the nano-hydroxyapatite-PLGA composites promoted adhesion of human MSC. Importantly, nano-hydroxyapatite and nano-hydroxyapatite-PLGA composites promoted osteogenic differentiation of human MSCs, comparable with direct injection of the DIF-7c peptide into culture media.ConclusionNano-hydroxyapatite and nano-hydroxyapatite-PLGA composites provide a promising alternative in directing the adhesion and differentiation of human MSC. These nanocomposites should be studied further to clarify their effects on MSC functions and bone remodeling in vivo, eventually translating to clinical applications

Degradation of Magnesium Alloys in Artificial Urine Solution for Urological Device Applications

Magnesium-based alloys are promising for various biomedical applications due to their advantageous mechanical and biological properties. In this study, we investigated the potential use of magnesium-based alloys for urological device applications, e.g. a biodegradable and antibacterial ureteral stent. Previous studies showed that magnesium-based samples significantly inhibited bacterial growth and colony formation in artificial urine (AU) solution as compared with the polyurethane-based stent. This current study focuses on long-term magnesium-based sample degradation in AU solution and deionized water. We studied the effects of alloy composition (magnesium alloyed with yttrium or aluminum and zinc) and surface condition (oxide versus metallic surface) on the rate of degradation. Sample degradation was measured by the change in sample mass, pH of immersion solution, and magnesium ion concentration in the solution. Results showed that both alloy composition and surface condition affected the rate of degradation in the AU solution. For instance, magnesium-yttrium alloy degraded the fastest and the presence of the oxide layer increased its degradation rate in the AU solution. The overall degradation rate in the AU solution was in this order (fastest to slowest degrading): MgY_O &gt; MgY &gt; Mg_O &gt; AZ31. Further investigation is necessary to determine the efficacy and safety of magnesium-based biodegradable stents for urological applications.</jats:p

Magnetic Nanocomposite Hydrogel for Potential Cartilage Tissue Engineering: Synthesis, Characterization, and Cytocompatibility with Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Hydrogels possess high water content and closely mimic the microenvironment of extracellular matrix. In this study, we created a hybrid hydrogel containing type II collagen, hyaluronic acid (HA), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) and incorporated magnetic nanoparticles into the hybrid hydrogels of type II collagen-HA-PEG to produce a magnetic nanocomposite hydrogel (MagGel) for cartilage tissue engineering. The results showed that both the MagGel and hybrid gel (Gel) were successfully cross-linked and the MagGel responded to an external magnet while maintaining structural integrity. That is, the MagGel could travel to the tissue defect sites in physiological fluids under remote magnetic guidance. The adhesion density of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on the MagGel group <i>in vitro</i> was similar to the control group and greater than the Gel group. The morphology of BMSCs was normal and consistent in all groups. We also found that BMSCs engulfed magnetic nanoparticles in culture and the presence of magnetic nanoparticles did not affect BMSC adhesion and morphology. We hypothesized that the ingested nanoparticles may be eventually broken down by lysosome and excreted through exocytosis; further studies are necessary to confirm this. This study reports a promising magnetic responsive nanocomposite hydrogel for potential cartilage tissue engineering applications, which should be further studied for its effects on cell functions when combined with electromagnetic stimulation

Lipids alter microbial transport through intestinal mucus.

Mucus constitutes a protective layer which coats the gastrointestinal tract, controlling interactions of both commensal and pathogenic microbes with underlying tissues. Changes to the mucus barrier, for example due to altered mucin expression or external stimuli, may impact interactions with microbes and thus potentially contribute to altered gut homeostasis, onset of inflammation, or pathogen invasion. Food-associated stimuli, including lipids, have been shown to change mucus barrier properties and reduce transport of model drug carriers through mucus. Here, we explore the impact of lipids, specifically triglycerides in a model intestinal medium mimicking a fed state, on Escherichia coli (E. coli) transport through mucus by directly imaging swimming patterns and analyzing associated changes in mucus structure. Lipids in model fed state intestinal contents reduced E. coli speed and track linearity within mucus. These changes may be due in part to changes in molecular interactions within the mucus network as well as crowding of the mucus network by lipid emulsion droplets, which visibly stay intact in the mucus gel. In addition, observed physical interactions between bacteria and lipid structures may impact microbial speed and trajectories. As lipids are normal food components and thus represent safe, mild stimuli, these results support exploration of lipid-based strategies to alter the mucus barrier to control interactions with microbes and potentially prevent microbial invasion of underlying epithelium