Osteogenesis of human induced pluripotent stem cells derived mesenchymal stem cells on hydroxyapatite contained nanofibers

Abstract

Biomimetic nanofibrous scaffolds combined with stem cells are promising for bone tissue engineering. In the present study, we have employed nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) contained polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers as a biomimetic nanofibrous scaffold, and mesenchymal stem cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPS-MSCs) as the novel stem cells sources. The response of hiPS-MSCs on the nanofibrous scaffolds in terms of cell proliferation and differentiation into the osteoblastic phenotype was investigated by XTT assay, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), osteogenic genes expression (runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen I (COL1A1), and osteocalcin (OC)), ALP activity, and calcium deposition. It is clearly shown that the hiPS-MSCs attached, and proliferated on the nanofibrous scaffolds. Compared with PCL nanofibers without nHAp, the cells on the nHAp contained nanofibers demonstrated superior capabilites to differentiate to form calcified extracellular matrix. Together with gene expression, all of the results indicate the great potential of the hiPS-MSCs seeded biomimetic nanofibrous scaffolds for bone regeneration in the future.