title: Modulation of mesenchymal stem cell genotype and phenotype by extracellular matrix proteins.
abstract: To investigate the effect of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins on characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and tendon-derived cells (TDCs).
  
  
  
  MSCs and TDCs, cultured in a monolayer (2D) or hydrogels (3D), with or without ECM protein supplementation, and on a non-viable native tendon (NNT) matrix were assayed for adhesion, proliferation, gene expression, and integrin expression.
  
  
  
  MSCs exhibited a fibroblastic, spindle-shaped morphology on 2D matrices except in the presence of fibronectin. In 3D matrices, MSCs displayed a rounded phenotype except when cultured on NNTs where cells aligned along the collagen fibrils but, unlike TDCs, did not form inter-cellular cytoplasmic processes. MSC proliferation was significantly (p < 0.01) increased by collagen type I in 2D culture and fibronectin in 3D culture. TDC proliferation was unaffected by substrata. MSCs and TDCs differentially expressed α2 integrin. Adhesion to substrata was reduced by RGD-blocking peptide and β1 integrin antibody. The presence of collagen I or fibronectin upregulated MSC expression of collagen type I and collagen type III, COMP, decorin, osteopontin, and fibronectin.
  
  
  
  The morphology, gene expression, and adhesion of both MSCs and TDCs are sensitive to the presence of specific ECM components. Interaction with the ECM is, therefore, likely to affect the mechanism of action of MSCs in vitro and may contribute to phenotypic modulation in vivo.
authors.affiliation: a Department Clinical Sciences and Services , Royal Veterinary College , Hatfield , UK.
authors.forename: Lucy E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Clements
authors.affiliation: a Department Clinical Sciences and Services , Royal Veterinary College , Hatfield , UK.
authors.forename: Elaine R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Garvican
authors.affiliation: a Department Clinical Sciences and Services , Royal Veterinary College , Hatfield , UK.
authors.forename: Jayesh
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dudhia
authors.affiliation: a Department Clinical Sciences and Services , Royal Veterinary College , Hatfield , UK.
authors.forename: Roger K W
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D005838:Genotype; D006736:Horses; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000494:pharmacology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype
chemical_list: D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D020100:Hydrogels
keywords: Differentiation; matrix; mesenchymal stem cell; tendon