title: Surface topography enhances differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells towards osteogenic and adipogenic lineages.
abstract: Surface topography impacts on cell growth and differentiation, but it is not trivial to generate defined surface structures and to assess the relevance of specific topographic parameters. In this study, we have systematically compared in vitro differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on a variety of groove/ridge structures. Micro- and nano-patterns were generated in polyimide using reactive ion etching or multi beam laser interference, respectively. These structures affected cell spreading and orientation of human MSCs, which was also reflected in focal adhesions morphology and size. Time-lapse demonstrated directed migration parallel to the nano-patterns. Overall, surface patterns clearly enhanced differentiation of MSCs towards specific lineages: 15 μm ridges increased adipogenic differentiation whereas 2 μm ridges enhanced osteogenic differentiation. Notably, nano-patterns with a periodicity of 650 nm increased differentiation towards both osteogenic and adipogenic lineages. However, in absence of differentiation media surface structures did neither induce differentiation, nor lineage-specific gene expression changes. Furthermore, nanostructures did not affect the YAP/TAZ complex, which is activated by substrate stiffness. Our results provide further insight into how structuring of tailored biomaterials and implant interfaces - e.g. by multi beam laser interference in sub-micrometer scale - do not induce differentiation of MSCs per se, but support their directed differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Stem Cell Biology and Cellular Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Abagnale
authors.affiliation: Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Steger
authors.affiliation: Institute of Materials in Electrical Engineering 1 (IWE1), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Vu Hoa
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Complex Systems, ICS-7: Biomechanics, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany.
authors.forename: Nils
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hersch
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Cell Biology, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sechi
authors.affiliation: Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Stem Cell Biology and Cellular Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Joussen
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Denecke
authors.affiliation: Institute of Complex Systems, ICS-7: Biomechanics, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany.
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Merkel
authors.affiliation: Institute of Complex Systems, ICS-7: Biomechanics, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany.
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuropathology, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dreser
authors.affiliation: Institute of Materials in Electrical Engineering 1 (IWE1), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schnakenberg
authors.affiliation: Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Arnold
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gillner
authors.affiliation: Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Stem Cell Biology and Cellular Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: wwagner@ukaachen.de.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wagner
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D050156:Adipogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000502:physiology; D048429:Cell Size; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D012117:Resins, Synthetic / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D012117:Resins, Synthetic; C029945:polyimide resin
keywords: Gene expression; Laser ablation; Mesenchymal stem cells; Microstructure; Nanotopography; Osteogenesis