Differentiation of Tonsil-Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Controlled by Surface-Functionalized Microspheres in PEG-Polypeptide Thermogels

• Published in: Biomacromolecules 2014-06, Vol.15 (6), p.2180-2187
• Main Authors: Kye, Eun Jeong, Kim, Seung-Jin, Park, Min Hee, Moon, Hyo Jung, Ryu, Kyung Ha, Jeong, Byeongmoon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Cell Culture Techniques - methods; Cell Differentiation - drug effects; Cell Differentiation - physiology; Cells, Cultured; Exact sciences and technology; Gels; Humans; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells - drug effects; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells - physiology; Microspheres; Organic polymers; Palatine Tonsil - cytology; Palatine Tonsil - drug effects; Palatine Tonsil - physiology; Peptides - chemistry; Peptides - pharmacology; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polyethylene Glycols - chemistry; Polyethylene Glycols - pharmacology; Properties and characterization; Solution and gel properties; Surface Properties - drug effects
• ISSN: 1525-7797; 1526-4602
• DOI: 10.1021/bm500342r

Poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(l-alanine) diblock copolymer (PEG-L-PA; molecular weight of each block of 1000–1080 Da) aqueous solutions undergo sol-to-gel transition in a 3.0–8.0 wt % concentration range as the temperature increases. By incorporating the polystyrene microspheres with different functional groups with a size of 100–800 μm in in situ formed PEG-L-PA thermogels, the differentiation of tonsil-tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (TMSCs) was investigated. The mRNA expression and immunohistochemical assays suggested that the TMSCs preferentially undergo adipogenesis in the ammonium (−NH3 +)- or thiol (−SH)-functionalized microsphere incorporated thermogels; chondrogenesis in the thiol-, phosphate (PO3 2–)-, or carboxylate (−COO–)-functionalized microsphere incorporated thermogels; and osteogenesis in the phosphate-, carboxylate-functionalized, or neat polystyrene microsphere incorporated thermogels. This paper provides a new TMSC 3D culture system of a sol–gel reversible matrix and suggests that the surface-functional groups of microspheres in the thermogel can control the preferential differentiation of stem cells into specific cell types during the 3D culture.