title: Influence of Cross-Linkers on the in Vitro Chondrogenesis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels.
abstract: This study aims to investigate the effect of the structures of cross-linkers on the in vitro chondrogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogels. The hydrogels were prepared by the covalent cross-linking of methacrylated HA with different types of thiol-tailored molecules, including dithiothreitol (DTT), 4-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and multiarm polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer using thiol-ene "click" chemistry. The microstructure, mechanical properties, diffusivity, and degradation rates of the resultant hydrogels were controlled by the structural feature of different cross-linkers. BMSCs were then encapsulated in the resulting hydrogels and cultured in chondrogenic conditions. Overall, chondrogenic differentiation was highly enhanced in the PEG-cross-linked HA hydrogels, as measured by glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen accumulation. The physical properties of hydrogels, especially the mechanical property and microarchitecture, were resulted from the structures of different cross-linkers, which subsequently modulated the fate of BMSC differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina , Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States.
authors.forename: Panita
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maturavongsadit
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Sciences, Charleston Southern University , Charleston, South Carolina 29406, United States.
authors.forename: Xiangdong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Bi
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina , Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States.
authors.forename: Kamolrat
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Metavarayuth
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University , 254 Phayathai Rd., Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
authors.forename: Jittima Amie
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Luckanagul
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina , Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2149-384X
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D020219:Chondrogenesis; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D020100:Hydrogels; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid
keywords: PAMAM dendrimer; chondrogenesis; dithiothreitol; hyaluronic acid; mesenchymal stem cells; poly(ethylene glycol)