Modulation of collagen gel compaction by extracellular ATP is MAPK and NF-kappaB pathways dependent.

Understanding the mechanisms that regulate mechanosensitivity in osteoblasts is important for controlling bone homeostasis and the development of new drugs to combat bone loss. It is believed that prestress or force generation (the tensile stress within the cell body) plays an important role in regulating cellular mechanosensitivity. In the present study, a three-dimensional (3D) collagen culture was used to monitor the change in prestress of the osteoblast-like cells. Collagen hydrogel compaction has been used as an indicator of the change in the degree of cell prestress. Previous results in this model demonstrated that extracellular ATP reduced the mechanosensitivity of osteoblasts by reducing cellular prestress. To elucidate the potential mechanisms involved in this process, the signaling pathways downstream of P2 purinoceptors involved in regulating the compaction of type I collagen gels were investigated. By using specific inhibitors to these signaling pathways, we found that ATP-induced reduction in collagen gel compaction rate is dependent on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAKP) and NF-kappaB pathways. However, blocking protein kinase C with GF109203X did not change the compaction kinetics in the presence of ATPgammaS. Moreover, blocking cyclic AMP (cAMP), phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K), calmodulin (CaM) or L-type voltage sensitive calcium channels did not affect ATP's ability to reduce collagen gel compaction. The results from the present and previous studies indicate that extracellular ATP may act as a negative feedback modulator in the mechanotransduction system since mechanical stimuli increase ATP release from stimulated cells.

Expression of proinflammatory cytokines by human mesenchymal stem cells in response to cyclic tensile strain.

Mesenchymal stem cells produce proinflammatory cytokines during their normal growth. Direct or indirect regulation of bone resorption by these cytokines has been reported. However, the effects of osteogenic conditions-chemical and/or mechanical-utilized during in vitro bone tissue engineering on expression of cytokines by hMSCs have not been studied. In this study, we investigated the effects of cyclic tensile strain, culture medium (with and without dexamethasone), and culture duration on the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) by bone marrow derived human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Human MSCs seeded in three-dimensional Type I collagen matrices were subjected to 0%, 10%, and 12% uniaxial cyclic tensile strains at 1 Hz for 4 h/day for 7 and 14 days in complete growth or dexamethasone-containing osteogenic medium. Viability of hMSCs was maintained irrespective of strain level and media conditions. Expression of either TNF-alpha or IL-1 beta was not observed in hMSCs under any of the conditions investigated in this study. Expression of IL-6 was dependent on culture medium. An increase in IL-6 expression was caused by both 10% and 12% strain levels. Both 10% and 12% strain levels caused an increase in IL-8 production by hMSCs that was dependent on the presence of dexamethasone. IL-6 and IL-8 expressions by hMSCs were induced by cyclic tensile strain and osteogenic differentiating media, indicating that IL-6 and IL-8 may be functioning as autocrine signals during osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs.

Finite element modeling of 3D human mesenchymal stem cell-seeded collagen matrices exposed to tensile strain.

The use of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in tissue engineering is attractive due to their ability to extensively self-replicate and differentiate into a multitude of cell lineages. It has been experimentally established that hMSCs are influenced by chemical and mechanical signals. However, the combined chemical and mechanical in vitro culture conditions that lead to functional tissue require greater understanding. In this study, finite element models were created to evaluate the local loading conditions on bone marrow-derived hMSCs seeded in three-dimensional collagen matrices exposed to cyclic tensile strain. Mechanical property and geometry data used in the models were obtained experimentally from a previous study in our laboratory and from mechanical testing. Eight finite element models were created to simulate three-dimensional hMSC-seeded collagen matrices exposed to different levels of cyclic tensile strain (10% and 12%), culture media (complete growth and osteogenic differentiating), and durations of culture (7 and 14 days). Through finite element analysis, it was determined that globally applied uniaxial tensile strains of 10% and 12% resulted in local strains up to 18.3% and 21.8%, respectively. Model results were also compared to experimental studies in an attempt to explain observed differences between hMSC response to 10% and 12% cyclic tensile strain.

Osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells in collagen matrices: effect of uniaxial cyclic tensile strain on bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2) mRNA expression.

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) differentiate down an osteogenic pathway with appropriate mechanical and/or chemical stimuli. This study describes the successful culture of hMSCs in 3D collagen matrices under mechanical strain. Bone marrow-derived hMSCs were seeded in linear 3D type I collagen matrices and subjected to 0%, 10%, or 12% uniaxial cyclic tensile strain at 1 Hz for 4 h/day for 7 or 14 days. Cell viability studies indicated that hMSCs remained viable throughout the culture period irrespective of the applied strain level. Real-time RT-PCR studies indicated a significant increase in BMP-2 mRNA expression levels in hMSCs strained at 10% compared to the same day unstrained controls after both 7 and 14 days. An increase in BMP-2 was also observed in hMSCs subjected to 12% strain, but the increase was significant only in the 14-day sample. This is the first report of the culture of bone marrow-derived hMSCs in 3D collagen matrices under cyclic strain, and the first demonstration that strain alone can induce osteogenic differentiation without the addition of osteogenic supplements. Induction of bone differentiation in 3D culture is a critical step in the creation of bioengineered bone constructs.

Mesenchymal stem cell-seeded collagen matrices for bone repair: effects of cyclic tensile strain, cell density, and media conditions on matrix contraction in vitro.

Type I collagen is the most abundant extracellular matrix protein in bone and contains arginine- glycine-aspartic acid sequences that promote cell adhesion and proliferation. We have previously shown that human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) seeded in three-dimensional (3D) collagen gels upregulate BMP-2 mRNA expression in response to tensile strain, indicative of osteogenesis. Therefore, collagen could be a promising scaffold material for functional bone tissue engineering using hMSCs. However, high contraction of the collagen gels by hMSCs poses a challenge to creating large, tissue-engineered bone constructs. The effects of cyclic tensile strain, medium (with and without dexamethasone), and hMSC seeding density on contraction of collagen matrices have not been investigated. hMSCs were seeded in 3D collagen gels and subjected to cyclic tensile strain of 10% or 12% for 4 h/day at a frequency of 1 Hz in osteogenic-differentiating or complete MSC growth media for up to 14 days. Viability of hMSCs was not affected by strain or media conditions. While initial seeding density affected matrix contraction alone, there was a high interdependence of strain and medium on matrix contraction. These findings suggest a correlation between hMSC proliferation and osteogenic differentiation on collagen matrix contraction that is affected by media, cell-seeding density, and cyclic tensile strain. It is vital to understand the effects of culture conditions on collagen matrix contraction by hMSCs in order to consider hMSC-seeded collagen constructs for functional bone tissue engineering in vitro.

Biocompatibility studies of the Anaconda stent-graft and observations of nitinol corrosion resistance.

PURPOSE: To validate the deployment, in vivo performance, biostability, and healing capacity of the Anaconda self-expanding endoprosthesis in a canine aortic aneurysm model. METHODS: Aneurysms were surgically created in 12 dogs by sewing a woven polyester patch onto the anterior side of the thoracic or abdominal aorta. Anaconda prostheses were implanted transfemorally for prescheduled periods (1 or 3 months). Aneurysm exclusion and stent-graft patency were monitored angiographically. Healing was assessed with histological analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Textile analysis determined the physical and chemical stability of the woven polyester material, while the biostability of the nitinol wires was evaluated with SEM and spectroscopy. RESULTS: All prostheses were intact at explantation. After 1 month, endothelial-like cells were migrating in a discontinuous manner both proximally and distally over the internal collagenous pannus at the device-host boundary. After 3 months, endothelialization had reached the midsections of the devices, with a thicker collagenous internal capsule. Patches of endothelial-like cells were sharing the luminal surface with thrombotic deposits. However, the wall of the device at the level of the aneurysm was generally poorly healed, with multiple thrombi scattered irregularly over the luminal surface. The polyester fabric was intact except for some filaments that were ruptured adjacent to the sutures and some abrasion caused by the nitinol wires. No evidence of corrosion was found on the nitinol stents. CONCLUSIONS: This Anaconda stent-graft has demonstrated its ability to exclude arterial aneurysms. The device used in this study was an experimental prototype, and the manufacturer has incorporated new immobilization features into the model for clinical use. The constituent materials appear to be suitable in terms of biocompatibility, biofunctionality, and short-term durability.