Influence of Different ECM-Like Hydrogels on Neurite Outgrowth Induced by Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells

Stem Cells International, 2017 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/6319129 · Published: December 3, 2017

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Biomedical

Simple Explanation

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can help with spinal cord injury (SCI) regeneration by secreting growth factors. Hydrogels are used to help MSCs survive in SCI sites. This study tested if different hydrogels interact differently with adipose tissue-derived MSCs (ASCs). The study looked at three natural hydrogels: gellan gum (with a fibronectin peptide), collagen, and a hydrogel with laminin (NVR-gel). The study looked at how well these hydrogels helped nerve cells grow, both alone and with ASCs. The results showed that all hydrogels helped ASCs survive. The different biological signals in the hydrogels affected the levels of growth factors that help nerve cells survive, grow, and extend axons. All hydrogels helped ASCs promote axon growth, but functionalized gellan gum worked best.

Study Duration

7 days

Participants

Human ASCs (female, 25 years old, BMI =27.8) and P5 Wistar-Han rat pups

Evidence Level

In vitro study

Key Findings

1
All hydrogels supported ASC survival and viability, with functionalized GG hydrogels showing the most evident support.
2
The presence of different ECM-derived biological cues within the hydrogels appears to differently affect the mRNA levels of growth factors involved in neuronal survival, differentiation, and axonal outgrowth.
3
Functionalized GG hydrogels promoted a more robust effect on axonal growth mediated by ASCs compared to other hydrogels.

Research Summary

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of gellan gum (functionalized with a fibronectin peptide), collagen, and NVR-gel in supporting the viability, metabolic activity, and gene expression of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs). The study found that all hydrogels supported ASC survival and proliferation, but cell behavior differed within each matrix, as indicated by differences in cell density. GG-GRGDS presented the lowest cell density but the highest metabolic activity. ASC-containing GG-GRGDS hydrogels were found to promote a robust and significant improvement of axonal growth, suggesting GG-GRGDS to be the most favorable for ASCs in the promotion of axonal growth by these cells.

Practical Implications

Hydrogel selection matters

The choice of hydrogel impacts ASC survival, metabolic activity and axonal growth promotion.

ECM molecules are important

Biological cues, such as ECM molecules, are critical for enhanced effects on ASC and DRG cultures.

Combinatorial approach is key

Combining hydrogels with stem cells supports axonal growth and ASC viability, showing promise for SCI regenerative therapies.

Study Limitations

1
The study is limited to in vitro experiments, and the results may not directly translate to in vivo conditions.
2
The gene expression analysis should be further validated with protein analysis to confirm the presence of corresponding proteins.
3
The study uses only one type of MSC (adipose-derived) and DRG explants from a specific age group of rats, limiting the generalizability of the findings.

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