Reprogramming hMSCs morphology with silicon/porous silicon geometric micro-patterns

Abstract

Geometric micro-patterned surfaces of silicon combined with porous silicon (Si/PSi) have been manufactured to study the behaviour of human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs). These micro-patterns consist of regular silicon hexagons surrounded by spaced columns of silicon equilateral triangles separated by PSi. The results show that, at an early culture stage, the hMSCs resemble quiescent cells on the central hexagons with centered nuclei and actin/β-catenin and a microtubules network denoting cell adhesion. After 2 days, hMSCs adapted their morphology and cytoskeleton proteins from cell-cell dominant interactions at the center of the hexagonal surface. This was followed by an intermediate zone with some external actin fibres/β-catenin interactions and an outer zone where the dominant interactions are cell-silicon. Cells move into silicon columns to divide, migrate and communicate. Furthermore, results show that Runx2 and vitamin D receptors, both specific transcription factors for skeleton-derived cells, are expressed in cells grown on micropatterned silicon under all observed circumstances. On the other hand, non-phenotypic alterations are under cell growth and migration on Si/PSi substrates. The former consideration strongly supports the use of micro-patterned silicon surfaces to address pending questions about the mechanisms of human bone biogenesis/pathogenesis and the study of bone scaffolds.

Multi-Channeled Polymeric Microsystem for Studying the Impact of Surface Topography on Cell Adhesion and Motility

“…In addition, they seem to take into account the presence of companion cells from adjacent channels, with which they are connected in a kind of cellular circuit, and tend to communicate and migrate towards them. This phenomenon has been previously observed, where hMSCs move into silicon columns of a silicon/porous silicon micro-patterning, communicating with their partners and migrating by the push forces applied from their companion cells located back in the center of the silicon hexagon [46]. Figure 6 helps put forward the relevance of using hMSC-CM as an aid for cell culture, especially when studying cell dynamics.…”

3D Printed Structures Filled with Carbon Fibers and Functionalized with Mesenchymal Stem Cell Conditioned Media as In Vitro Cell Niches for Promoting Chondrogenesis

“…These results clearly differ from the cell morphologies and behavior shown in recent studies by our team, in which 2D and 2D½ approaches, relying in some cases on carbon materials, clearly affected cell morphology and, importantly, promoted mobility. In our case, three-dimensional colonization and chondral differentiation is seen [ 28 , 29 ].…”

Micro-/Nano-Scales Direct Cell Behavior on Biomaterial Surfaces

“…Phipps et al used polyethylene oxide (PEO) sacrificial fiber to enhance cell infiltration in PCL, collagen I and hydroxyapatite electro-spun scaffolds, and MSC adhesion [43]. To study the behavior of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (HMSCs), Ynsa et al used a high-energy proton beam to prepare a geometric micro-patterned surface in which silicon and porous silicon (Si/PSI) were combined [44]. The Si/PSI patterns promoted cell adhesion and migration and maintained the expression of major bone transcription factors, as well as intercellular interactions with good results.…”