PEG attachment to osteoblasts enhances mechanosensitivity.
Fluid flow induces proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts, and fibrous structure like a primary cilium on a cell surface contributes to flow sensing and flow-driven gene regulation. We address a question: Does attachment of synthetic polymers on a cell surface enhance mechanosensitivity of osteoblasts? Using MC3T3 osteoblast cells (C4 clone) and a PEG polymer, one of whose termini was covalently linked to a succinimidyl succinate group (functionalized PEG-PEGSS), we examined attachment of PEGSS to osteoblasts and evaluated its effects on the mRNA expression of stress-responsive genes. AFM images exhibited globular PEGSS conformation of approximately 100 nm in size, and SEM images confirmed the attachment of a cluster of pancake-like PEGSS molecules on the osteoblast surface. Compared to control cells incubated with unfunctionalized PEG, real-time PCR revealed that RNA upregulation of c-fos, egr1, ATF3 and Cox2 genes was magnified in the cells incubated with PEGSS. These results support a PEG-induced increase in mechanosensitivity of osteoblasts and indicate that the described approach would be useful to accelerate growth and development of osteoblasts for bone repair and tissue engineering.
Hamamura
Kazunori
K
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
Weng
Yiming
Y
Zhao
Jun
J
Yokota
Hiroki
H
Xie
Dong
D
D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D008422:Materials Testing; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols