Stromal cell-derived factor-1a-encapsulated albumin/heparin nanoparticles for induced stem cell migration and intervertebral disc regeneration in vivo

• Published in: Acta biomaterialia 2018-05, Vol.72, p.217
• Main Authors: Zhang, Hua, Yu, Shan, Zhao, Xinlian, Mao, Zhengwei, Gao, Changyou
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aggrecan; Albumin; Biological activity; Bone marrow; Cell adhesion & migration; Cell migration; Cells; Cellular biology; Collagen (type II); Controlled release; Damage; Degeneration; Degradation; Heparin; Homing; Intervertebral discs; Mesenchyme; Molecular chains; mRNA; Nanoparticles; Nanostructured materials; Nuclei; Nucleus pulposus; Pain; Proteins; Quality; Regeneration; SDF-1 protein; Slopes; Sox9 protein; Stem cells; Sustained release; Tissue engineering
• ISSN: 1742-7061; 1878-7568

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration may cause many diseases and pain. Stem cell migration toward the site of IVD degeneration is a key factor for IVD regeneration. In the current study, we prepared albumin/heparin nanoparticles (BHNPs) as injectable carriers of stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α, also known as C-X-C motif chemokine 12), a powerful chemoattractant for the homing of bone marrow resident mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), for protection of the molecule against degradation for a sustained release. The NPs have relatively uniform small size, with a diameter of about 110 nm. The NPs possess a high loading capacity of SDF-1α with a sustained release profile. The bioactivity of the obtained BHNPs/SDF was then studied in vitro and in vivo. The BHNPs/SDF can induce migration of MSCs in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. After injected into the damaged disc, BHNPs/SDF induce much better regeneration of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus, compared to SDF-1α and BHNPs alone, evidenced with better histological grade scores and higher expression of SOX9, Aggrecan, and Collagen type II at the level of both mRNA and protein. This study provides a simple nanoplatform to load SDF-1α and protect it against degradation, with potential application in inductive tissue regeneration in vivo.Statement of significanceStem cell migration toward the site of IVD degeneration is a key event to promote IVD regeneration. In the current study, we prepared albumin/heparin nanoparticles (BHNPs) as injectable carriers to protect SDF-1α against degradation and for the sustained release of the molecule. After injected into the damaged disc, BHNPs/SDF induced much better regeneration of IVD, compared to SDF-1α and BHNPs alone. This study provides a simple nanoplatform to load SDF-1α and protect it from degradation, with potential application in inductive tissue regeneration in vivo.