TY - JOUR A1 - Pereira, Ana Rita A1 - Lipphaus, Andreas A1 - Ergin, Mert A1 - Salehi, Sahar A1 - Gehweiler, Dominic A1 - Rudert, Maximilian A1 - Hansmann, Jan A1 - Herrmann, Marietta T1 - Modeling of the Human Bone Environment: Mechanical Stimuli Guide Mesenchymal Stem Cell−Extracellular Matrix Interactions JF - Materials N2 - In bone tissue engineering, the design of in vitro models able to recreate both the chemical composition, the structural architecture, and the overall mechanical environment of the native tissue is still often neglected. In this study, we apply a bioreactor system where human bone-marrow hMSCs are seeded in human femoral head-derived decellularized bone scaffolds and subjected to dynamic culture, i.e., shear stress induced by continuous cell culture medium perfusion at 1.7 mL/min flow rate and compressive stress by 10% uniaxial load at 1 Hz for 1 h per day. In silico modeling revealed that continuous medium flow generates a mean shear stress of 8.5 mPa sensed by hMSCs seeded on 3D bone scaffolds. Experimentally, both dynamic conditions improved cell repopulation within the scaffold and boosted ECM production compared with static controls. Early response of hMSCs to mechanical stimuli comprises evident cell shape changes and stronger integrin-mediated adhesion to the matrix. Stress-induced Col6 and SPP1 gene expression suggests an early hMSC commitment towards osteogenic lineage independent of Runx2 signaling. This study provides a foundation for exploring the early effects of external mechanical stimuli on hMSC behavior in a biologically meaningful in vitro environment, opening new opportunities to study bone development, remodeling, and pathologies. KW - bone tissue engineering KW - human trabecular bone decellularization KW - in vitro modeling KW - shear stress KW - compressive load KW - fluid simulation KW - cell-matrix interaction KW - mechanotransduction Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-245012 SN - 1996-1944 VL - 14 IS - 16 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Pereira, Ana Rita A1 - Trivanović, Drenka A1 - Stahlhut, Philipp A1 - Rudert, Maximilian A1 - Groll, Jürgen A1 - Herrmann, Marietta T1 - Preservation of the naïve features of mesenchymal stromal cells in vitro: Comparison of cell- and bone-derived decellularized extracellular matrix JF - Journal of Tissue Engineering N2 - The fate and behavior of bone marrow mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (BM-MSC) is bidirectionally influenced by their microenvironment, the stem cell niche, where a magnitude of biochemical and physical cues communicate in an extremely orchestrated way. It is known that simplified 2D in vitro systems for BM-MSC culture do not represent their naïve physiological environment. Here, we developed four different 2D cell-based decellularized matrices (dECM) and a 3D decellularized human trabecular-bone scaffold (dBone) to evaluate BM-MSC behavior. The obtained cell-derived matrices provided a reliable tool for cell shape-based analyses of typical features associated with osteogenic differentiation at high-throughput level. On the other hand, exploratory proteomics analysis identified native bone-specific proteins selectively expressed in dBone but not in dECM models. Together with its architectural complexity, the physico-chemical properties of dBone triggered the upregulation of stemness associated genes and niche-related protein expression, proving in vitro conservation of the naïve features of BM-MSC. KW - decellularization KW - bone model KW - stem cell niche KW - stemness KW - osteogenesis KW - 3D models Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-268835 VL - 13 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ramírez-Rodríguez, Gloria Belén A1 - Pereira, Ana Rita A1 - Herrmann, Marietta A1 - Hansmann, Jan A1 - Delgado-López, José Manuel A1 - Sprio, Simone A1 - Tampieri, Anna A1 - Sandri, Monica T1 - Biomimetic mineralization promotes viability and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells in a perfusion bioreactor JF - International Journal of Molecular Sciences N2 - In bone tissue engineering, the design of 3D systems capable of recreating composition, architecture and micromechanical environment of the native extracellular matrix (ECM) is still a challenge. While perfusion bioreactors have been proposed as potential tool to apply biomechanical stimuli, its use has been limited to a low number of biomaterials. In this work, we propose the culture of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) in biomimetic mineralized recombinant collagen scaffolds with a perfusion bioreactor to simultaneously provide biochemical and biophysical cues guiding stem cell fate. The scaffolds were fabricated by mineralization of recombinant collagen in the presence of magnesium (RCP.MgAp). The organic matrix was homogeneously mineralized with apatite nanocrystals, similar in composition to those found in bone. X-Ray microtomography images revealed isotropic porous structure with optimum porosity for cell ingrowth. In fact, an optimal cell repopulation through the entire scaffolds was obtained after 1 day of dynamic seeding in the bioreactor. Remarkably, RCP.MgAp scaffolds exhibited higher cell viability and a clear trend of up-regulation of osteogenic genes than control (non-mineralized) scaffolds. Results demonstrate the potential of the combination of biomimetic mineralization of recombinant collagen in presence of magnesium and dynamic culture of hMSC as a promising strategy to closely mimic bone ECM. KW - scaffold KW - perfusion bioreactor KW - collagen KW - apatite nanoparticles KW - magnesium KW - human mesenchymal stem cell KW - osteogenesis Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-285804 SN - 1422-0067 VL - 22 IS - 3 ER - TY - THES A1 - Oliveira Alves Pereira, Ana Rita T1 - Modelling of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Interactions within the Skeletal Niche T1 - Modellierung der Interaktionen von Mesenchymalen Stromazellen in der skelettalen Nische N2 - Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are a rare subpopulation of cells first identified in bone marrow with the potential to proliferate in plastic-adherent colonies and to generate de novo bone marrow stroma and its environment upon serial transplantation to heterotopic anatomical sites. Given their multipotency and self renewal competence, MSCs are prime prospective candidates for most modern musculoskeletal-tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches. Still, their envisioned therapeutic use is being questioned with concerns regarding their definition, characterization and integrative functions in vivo. It is well established that microenvironmental cues such as the extracellular matrix (ECM)-chemistry, the mechanical environment and local cellular and/or paracrine interactions critically control MSCs behavior. Yet, most of the scientific knowledge regarding the biology and therapeutic effect of MSCs originates from mechanistic in vitro studies where microenvironmental cues are hardly addressed. Therefore, manifestable changes in cell proliferation behavior and multilineage differentiation potential might be triggered that eventually compromise the translation of results to clinics. This thesis aims to address the complexity of MSCs interactions within the skeletal niche microenvironment in order to provide alternative methods to bypass the current MSCs in vitro culture limitations. Firstly, the influence of ECM-chemistry on MSCs behavior in vitro was explored by means of decellularized human bone models here established. Basal or osteogenic tailored cell-derived decellularized 2D matrices (dECM), proved to be suitable culture substrates for MSCs expansion by providing close-to-native cell-ECM interactions. Moreover, quantified morphological shape changes suggested a material osteo supportive potential, further functionally validated by observable spontaneous mineralization of MSCs. Aiming to identify novel intrinsic ECM regulatory features specific to the skeletal niche, 3D decellularized human trabecular bone scaffolds (dBone) were additionally developed and comprehensively characterized. Remarkably, the MSCs cultured on dBone scaffolds exhibit upregulation of genes associated with stemness as well as niche-related protein expression advocating for the conservation of the naïve MSCs phenotype. vi On the other hand, the effect of biomimetic mineralization on MSCs osteogenic lineage differentiation potential was further addressed by hydroxyapatite functionalization of type-I collagen in presence of magnesium. Mineralized scaffolds exhibited higher cell viability and a clear trend of osteogenic genes upregulation comparing with non-mineralized scaffolds. Lastly, in order to mimic the complexity of the native MSCs environment, a dynamic culture system was applied to the 3D decellularized bone constructs, previously studied in single static conditions. Mechanical stimuli generated by (1) continuous perfusion of cell culture medium at 1.7 mL/min and (2) compressive stress from 10% uniaxial load at 1 Hz, resulted in an improved cell repopulation within the scaffold and boosting of de novo ECM production. The stress-induced gene expression pattern suggested early MSCs commitment towards the osteogenic lineage mediated by integrin matrix adhesion, therefore further corroborating the recapitulation of a reliable in vitro bone niche model in dBone scaffolds. To conclude, the here developed in vitro models provide a progressive increased biomimicking complexity through which significant insights regarding MSC interactions with microenvironmental features in the skeletal niche can be obtained, thus surely paving the way for a better understanding of the role of MSCs in bone homeostasis and regeneration. N2 - Mesenchymale Stamm-/Stromazellen (MSZ) sind eine seltene Subpopulation von Zellen, die erstmals im Knochenmark identifiziert wurden und die das Potenzial haben, sich in plastikadhärenten Kolonien zu vermehren und bei serieller Transplantation an heterotopen anatomischen Stellen de novo das Knochenmarkstroma und seine Umgebung zu bilden. Aufgrund ihrer Multipotenz und ihrer Fähigkeit zur Selbsterneuerung sind MSZ erstklassige Kandidaten für moderne Ansätze des muskuloskelettalem Gewebe-Engineering und der regenerativen Medizin. Dennoch wird ihr therapeutischer Einsatz aufgrund von Bedenken hinsichtlich ihrer Definition, Charakterisierung und in vivo Integration in Frage gestellt. Es ist hinlänglich bekannt, dass die Mikroumgebung wie die Komposition der extrazellulären Matrix (EZM), die mechanische Umgebung und die lokalen zellulären und/oder parakrinen Interaktionen das Verhalten der MSZ entscheidend beeinflussen. Die meisten wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnisse über die Biologie und die therapeutische Wirkung von MSZ stammen jedoch aus mechanistischen In-vitro-Studien, in denen Faktoren aus der naiven Mikroumgebung von MSZ kaum berücksichtigt wurden. Dies kann zu offensichtlichen Veränderungen des Zellproliferationsverhaltens und des Differenzierungspotenzials der Zellen führen, was die Übertragung der Ergebnisse in die klinische Praxis beeinträchtigt. Diese Arbeit zielt darauf ab, die Komplexität der Interaktionen von MSZ in der Mikroumgebung der skelettalen Nische zu untersuchen, um Methoden zur Umgehung der derzeitigen Limitationen bei der In-vitro-Kultur von MSZ zu etablieren. Zunächst wurde der Einfluss der EZM auf das Verhalten von MSZ in vitro mit Hilfe von dezellularisierten menschlichen Knochenmodellen untersucht. Basale oder dezellularisierte 2D-Matrizen (dECM) osteogen differenzierter Zellen erwiesen sich als geeignete Zellkultursubstrate für die MSZ-Expansion, da sie nahezu native Zell-EZM-Interaktionen ermöglichen. Darüber hinaus deutet die quantifizierten morphologischen Formveränderungen in MSZ auf ein osteoinduktives Potenzial des Materials hin, was durch eine beobachtete spontane Mineralisierung der MSZ funktionell bestätigt wurde. Mit dem Ziel, neue intrinsische EZM-Faktoren zu identifizieren, die für die skelettale Nische spezifisch sind, wurden zusätzlich dezellularisierte 3D-Gerüste aus menschlichem trabekulärem Knochen (dBone) entwickelt und umfassend charakterisiert. Bemerkenswerterweise zeigen die auf dBone-Gerüsten kultivierten MSZ eine Hochregulierung von typischen Stammzell-assoziierten Genen, sowie die Expression von charakteristischen Nischenproteinen, was für die Erhaltung des Phänotyps naiver MSZ spricht. Andererseits wurde die Auswirkung einer biomimetischen Mineralisierung auf das osteogene Potenzial von MSZ durch Hydroxyapatit-Funktionalisierung von Typ-I-Kollagen Trägermaterialien in Gegenwart von Magnesium untersucht. Mineralisierte Gerüste zeigten eine höhere Zellviabilität und einen klaren Trend zur Hochregulierung osteogener Gene im Vergleich zu nicht-mineralisierten Gerüsten. Um die Komplexität der nativen MSZ-Umgebung zu imitieren, wurde schließlich ein dynamisches Kultursystem auf die dezellularisierten 3D-Knochenkonstrukte angewandt, die zuvor unter statischen Bedingungen untersucht worden waren. Mechanische Stimuli, die durch (1) kontinuierliche Perfusion des Zellkulturmediums bei 1,7 ml/min und (2) Druckbelastung durch eine einachsige Last von 10 % bei 1 Hz erzeugt wurden, führten nachweislich zu einer verbesserten Zellrepopulation innerhalb des Gerüsts und zu einer Steigerung der de novo EZM-Produktion. Das stressinduzierte Genexpressionsmuster deutet darauf hin, dass es schon früh durch Integrin-Matrix-Adhäsion zu einer Festlegung der MSZ auf die osteogene Linie kommt, was die Rekapitulation eines Zuverlässigen in vitro-Knochennischenmodells in dBone-Konstrukten weiter bestätigt. Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen, dass die hier entwickelten in vitro-Modelle eine zunehmende Komplexität der zellulären Mikroumgebung darstellen, durch die wichtige Erkenntnisse über die Interaktionen von MSZ mit der Mikroumgebung in der Knochennische gewonnen werden können, was sicherlich den Weg für ein besseres Verständnis der Rolle von MSZ in der Knochenhomöostase und -regeneration ebnet. KW - Stem Cells KW - In vitro models KW - Bone regeneration Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-266603 ER -