Luis A. Segovia

Oxy133, a novel osteogenic agent, promotes bone regeneration in an intramembranous bone‐healing model

Current reconstructive techniques for complex craniofacial osseous defects are challenging and are associated with significant morbidity. Oxysterols are naturally occurring cholesterol oxidation products with osteogenic potential. In this study, we investigated the effects of a novel semi‐synthetic oxysterol, Oxy133, on in vitro osteogenesis and an in vivo intramembranous bone‐healing model. Rabbit bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were treated with either Oxy133 or BMP‐2. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, expression of osteogenic gene markers and in vitro mineralization were all examined. Next, collagen sponges carrying either Oxy133 or BMP‐2 were used to reconstruct critical‐sized cranial defects in mature rabbits and bone regeneration was assessed. To determine the mechanism of action of Oxy133 both in vitro and in vivo, rabbit BMSCs cultures and collagen sponge/Oxy133 implants were treated with the Hedgehog signalling pathway inhibitor, cyclopamine, and similar outcomes were measured. ALP activity in rabbit BMSCs treated with 1 μm Oxy133 was induced and was significantly higher than in control cells. These results were mitigated in cultures treated with cyclopamine. Expression of osteogenic gene markers and mineralization in BMSCs treated with 1 μm Oxy133 was significantly higher than in control groups. Complete bone regeneration was noted in vivo when cranial defects were treated with Oxy133; healing was incomplete, however, when cyclopamine was added. Collectively, these results demonstrate that Oxy133 has the ability to induce osteogenic differentiation in vitro in rabbit BMSCs and to promote robust bone regeneration in vivo in an animal model of intramembranous bone healing. Copyright

Natural Killer Cells Differentiate Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells and Modulate Their Adipogenic Potential.

Background: Natural killer cells are thought to represent more than 30 percent of all lymphocytes within the stromal vascular fraction of lipoaspirates. However, their physiologic interaction with adipocytes and their precursors has never been specifically examined. The authors hypothesized that natural killer cells, by means of cytokine secretion, are capable of promoting the differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells. Methods: Human natural killer cells purified from healthy donors’ peripheral blood mononuclear cells were activated with a combination of interleukin-2 and anti-CD16 monoclonal antibody; natural killer cell supernatant was collected. Adipose-derived stem cells isolated from raw human lipoaspirates from healthy patients were treated with growth media, growth media with natural killer cell supernatant, adipogenic media, and adipogenic media with natural killer cells supernatant. Flow cytometric analysis was performed on cells using antibodies against B7H1, CD36, CD44, CD34, CD29, and MHC-1. Adipogenic-related gene expression (PPAR-&ggr;, LPL, GPD-1, and aP2) was assessed. Oil Red O staining was performed as a functional assay of adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis. Results: Adipose-derived stem cells maintained in growth media with natural killer cell supernatant lost markers of “stemness,” including CD44, CD34, and CD29; and expressed markers of differentiation, including B7H1 and MHC-1. Adipose-derived stem cells treated with natural killer cell supernatant accumulated small amounts of lipid after 10 days of natural killer cell supernatant treatment. Adipose-derived stem cells treated with natural killer cell supernatant showed altered expression of adipogenesis-associated genes compared with cells maintained in growth media. Adipose-derived stem cells maintained in adipogenic media with natural killer cell supernatant accumulated less lipid than those cells in adipogenic media alone. Conclusions: The authors demonstrate that, through secreted factors, natural killer cells are capable of differentiating adipose-derived stem cells. In cells maintained in adipogenic media, treatment with natural killer cell supernatant modulated adipogenic potential.

Development of chemotactic smart scaffold for use in tissue regeneration.

Background: Regenerative medicine aims to obviate the need for autologous grafting through the use of bioengineered constructs that combine stem cells, growth factors, and biocompatible vehicles. Human mesenchymal stem cells and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have both shown promise for use in this context, the former because of their pluripotent capacity and the latter because of its chemotactic activity. The authors harnessed the regenerative potential of human mesenchymal stem cells and VEGF to develop a chemotactic scaffold for use in tissue engineering. Methods: Human mesenchymal stem cells were transduced with human VEGF via lentivirus particles to secrete VEGF. The chemotactic activity of the VEGF-transduced stem cells was evaluated via a trans-well assay. Migration through semipermeable membranes was significantly greater in chambers filled with medium conditioned by VEGF-transduced cells. VEGF-transduced cells were then seeded on apatite-coated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) scaffolds, thereby creating the Smart Scaffold. To determine in vivo angiogenesis, the Smart Scaffolds were implanted into subcutaneous pockets in the backs of nude mice. Results: Significantly larger numbers of capillaries were observed in the Smart Scaffold compared with control implants on immunohistologic studies. For the chemotactic in vivo study, human mesenchymal stem cells tagged with a fluorescent dye (1,1-dioctadecyl-3,3,3,3-tetramethylindotricarbocyanine iodide) were injected intravenously via tail vein after the subcutaneous implantation of the Smart Scaffolds. In vivo fluorescent imaging revealed that fluorescent dye–tagged human mesenchymal stem cells successfully accumulated within the Smart Scaffolds. Conclusion: These observations suggest that VEGF may play a vital role in the design of clinically relevant tissue regeneration graft substitutes through its angiogenic effects and ability to chemoattract mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract P19: Peripheral Nerve Repair Using a Novel Peptide Amphiphile Nanofibers

PurPose: Traumatic peripheral nerve injuries can result in lifelong disability. Primary nerve repair is used for short nerve defects. Autologous nerve can be used in longer defects but creates donor site morbidity. Nerve conduits lack an aligned internal scaffold to support and guide axonal regeneration. Peptide amphiphiles (PA) can self-assemble into aligned nanofibers and promote peripheral nerve regeneration in vivo. There are no studies to date that examine the ability of PA nanofibers to support the regeneration of injured nerves that supply the musculoskeletal system. In this preliminary study, we investigate the viability of rat Schwann cells after incorporation into PA gels.