title: Improving effects of chitosan nanofiber scaffolds on osteoblast proliferation and maturation.
abstract: Osteoblast maturation plays a key role in regulating osteogenesis. Electrospun nanofibrous products were reported to possess a high surface area and porosity. In this study, we developed chitosan nanofibers and examined the effects of nanofibrous scaffolds on osteoblast maturation and the possible mechanisms. Macro- and micro observations of the chitosan nanofibers revealed that these nanoproducts had a flat surface and well-distributed fibers with nanoscale diameters. Mouse osteoblasts were able to attach onto the chitosan nanofiber scaffolds, and the scaffolds degraded in a time-dependent manner. Analysis by scanning electron microscopy further showed mouse osteoblasts adhered onto the scaffolds along the nanofibers, and cell-cell communication was also detected. Mouse osteoblasts grew much better on chitosan nanofiber scaffolds than on chitosan films. In addition, human osteoblasts were able to adhere and grow on the chitosan nanofiber scaffolds. Interestingly, culturing human osteoblasts on chitosan nanofiber scaffolds time-dependently increased DNA replication and cell proliferation. In parallel, administration of human osteoblasts onto chitosan nanofibers significantly induced osteopontin, osteocalcin, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) messenger (m)RNA expression. As to the mechanism, chitosan nanofibers triggered runt-related transcription factor 2 mRNA and protein syntheses. Consequently, results of ALP-, alizarin red-, and von Kossa-staining analyses showed that chitosan nanofibers improved osteoblast mineralization. Taken together, results of this study demonstrate that chitosan nanofibers can stimulate osteoblast proliferation and maturation via runt-related transcription factor 2-mediated regulation of osteoblast-associated osteopontin, osteocalcin, and ALP gene expression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan ; Cell Physiology and Molecular Image Research Center and Department of Anesthesiology, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-Hua
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Mei-Hsiu
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.affiliation: Cell Physiology and Molecular Image Research Center and Department of Anesthesiology, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yi-Ling
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chien-Hao
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Pei-I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Cell Physiology and Molecular Image Research Center and Department of Anesthesiology, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan ; Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan ; Anesthetics and Toxicology Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ruei-Ming
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit; D048271:Chitosan
keywords: Runx2; chitosan nanofibers; osteoblast maturation; osteoblast-associated gene expression