Polyphosphazene functionalized polyester fiber matrices for tendon tissue engineering: in vitro evaluation with human mesenchymal stem cells.
Poly[(ethyl alanato)(1)(p-methyl phenoxy)(1)] phosphazene (PNEA-mPh) was used to modify the surface of electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofiber matrices having an average fiber diameter of 3000 ± 1700 nm for the purpose of tendon tissue engineering and augmentation. This study reports the effect of polyphosphazene surface functionalization on human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) adhesion, cell-construct infiltration, proliferation and tendon differentiation, as well as long term cellular construct mechanical properties. PCL fiber matrices functionalized with PNEA-mPh acquired a rougher surface morphology and led to enhanced cell adhesion as well as superior cell-construct infiltration when compared to smooth PCL fiber matrices. Long-term in vitro hMSC cultures on both fiber matrices were able to produce clinically relevant moduli. Both fibrous constructs expressed scleraxis, an early tendon differentiation marker, and a bimodal peak in expression of the late tendon differentiation marker tenomodulin, a pattern that was not observed in PCL thin film controls. Functionalized matrices achieved a more prominent tenogenic differentiation, possessing greater tenomodulin expression and superior phenotypic maturity according to the ratio of collagen I to collagen III expression. These findings indicate that PNEA-mPh functionalization is an efficient method for improving cell interactions with electrospun PCL matrices for the purpose of tendon repair.
Department of Physiology, University of Virginia, Virginia 22903, USA.
M Sean
MS
Peach
Roshan
R
James
Udaya S
US
Toti
Meng
M
Deng
Nicole L
NL
Morozowich
Harry R
HR
Allcock
Cato T
CT
Laurencin
Sangamesh G
SG
Kumbar
D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D010641:Phenotype; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013710:Tendons / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D003094:Collagen; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; C093504:SCX protein, human; C422444:TNMD protein, human; C108974:poly(phosphazene)