Effect of Cell-Derived Matrices on Growth and Differentiation of Human Wharton’s Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract

Cell derived matrices (CDMs) are scaffolds constructed by decellularization of cellular matrices from different tissues and organs. Since cell derived matrices mimic the ECM of native tissues, CDM plays an essential role in the preparation of bioscaffolds. CDM scaffolds from Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) have been reported to support cell adhesion and proliferation of its own cells. Therefore, in this study we aimed to test if growth of human Wharton’s jelly derived MSCs (hWJ-MSCs) may be enhanced when cultured on their own cell derived matrices. To do this, MSCs were induced to generate ECM using ascorbic acid. Thus, obtained matrices were decellularized and characterized quantitatively for changes in their biochemical components (total protein, collagen, glycosaminoglycans) and qualitatively for fibronectin, laminin and collagen (I & IV) by immunostaining. Our results show the retention of essential ECM components in the decellularized WJ-CDM. The influence of WJ-MSC-derived CDM on proliferation and differentiation of WJ-MSCs were evaluated by comparing their growth on collagen and fibronectin only coated plates. A non-coated tissue culture polystyrene plate (TCPS/WC) served as control. Our cell proliferation results show that no significant changes were observed in the proliferation of MSCs when cultured on WJ-MSC derived CDM as compared to the bio-coated and non-coated cultures. However, gene expression analysis of the differentiation process showed that osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation potential of the WJ-MSCs was significantly increased upon culturing them on WJ-MSC-CDM. In conclusion, the present study reveals that the WJ-MSCs cultured on WJ-MSC-CDM may augment osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation.

Hypoxic Extracellular Matrix Preserves Its Competence after Expansion of Human MSCs under Physiological Hypoxia In Vitro

“…The use of dcECM allows for the reproduction of a local microenvironment for MSCs similar to the native one, preserving the topology and deposited signals necessary for cell functions [58]. On dcECM, MSCs demonstrated accelerated migration [59], reduced intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species due to activation of the antioxidant system (superoxide dismutase and catalase) [60], enhanced colony-forming capacity, and differentiation [61,62].…”