title: A 3D Porous Gelatin-Alginate-Based-IPN Acts as an Efficient Promoter of Chondrogenesis from Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells.
abstract: Cartilage has limited regeneration potential. Thus, there is an imperative need to develop new strategies for cartilage tissue engineering (CTE) amenable for clinical use. Recent CTE approaches rely on optimal cell-scaffold interactions, which require a great deal of optimization. In this study we attempt to build a novel gelatin- (G-) alginate- (A-) polyacrylamide (PAA) 3D interpenetrating network (IPN) with superior performance in promoting chondrogenesis from human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs). We show that our G-A-PAA scaffold is capable of supporting hADSCs proliferation and survival, with no apparent cytotoxic effect. Moreover, we find that after exposure to prochondrogenic conditions a key transcription factor known to induce chondrogenesis, namely, Sox9, is highly expressed in our hADSCs/G-A-PAA bioconstruct, along with cartilage specific markers such as collagen type II, CEP68, and COMP extracellular matrix (ECM) components. These data suggest that our G-A-PAA structural properties and formulation might enable hADSCs conversion towards functional chondrocytes. We conclude that our novel G-A-PAA biomatrix is a good candidate for prospective in vivo CTE applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bucharest, 91-95 Splaiul Independentei, 050095 Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Sorina
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7196-1712
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dinescu
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bucharest, 91-95 Splaiul Independentei, 050095 Bucharest, Romania ; Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldis Western University of Arad, 86 Rebreanu, 310414 Arad, Romania.
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8093-1750
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Galateanu
authors.affiliation: Molecular Biology and Pathology Research Lab "Molimagex", University Hospital Bucharest, 169 Splaiul Independentei, 050098 Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Eugen
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5642-9979
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Radu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldis Western University of Arad, 86 Rebreanu, 310414 Arad, Romania.
authors.forename: Anca
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8510-6653
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hermenean
authors.affiliation: Advanced Polymer Materials Group, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 1-7 Gheorghe Polizu Street, District 1, 011061 Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3532-7786
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lungu
authors.affiliation: Advanced Polymer Materials Group, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 1-7 Gheorghe Polizu Street, District 1, 011061 Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Izabela Cristina
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0685-3947
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Stancu
authors.affiliation: Proestetica Medical S.R.L., 38-40 T. Stefan Street, 011658 Bucharest, Romania ; International Society of Regenerative Medicine and Surgery, 38-40 T. Stefan Street, 011658 Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jianu
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
authors.forename: Tudorita
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tumbar
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bucharest, 91-95 Splaiul Independentei, 050095 Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Marieta
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8103-3693
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Costache