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.
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
Kazunori
K
Hamamura
Yiming
Y
Weng
Jun
J
Zhao
Hiroki
H
Yokota
Dong
D
Xie
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