Tissue Eng Regen Med.  2017 Jun;14(3):279-286. 10.1007/s13770-017-0033-6.

Cyclic Stretch Effects on Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Stiffness, Morphology and Smooth Muscle Cell Gene Expression

• Rabbani M
• Tafazzoli-Shadpour M
• Shokrgozar MA
• Janmaleki
• Teymoori M

• KMID: 2395084
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1007/s13770-017-0033-6

Abstract

Recent investigations consider adipose-derived stemcells (ASCs) as a promising source of stemcells for clinical therapies. To obtain functional cells with enhanced cytoskeleton and aligned structure, mechanical stimuli are utilized during differentiation of stem cells to the target cells. Since function of muscle cells is associated with cytoskeleton, enhanced structure is especially essential for these cells when employed in tissue engineering. In this study by utilizing a custom-made device, effects of uniaxial tension (1Hz, 10% stretch) on cytoskeleton, cell alignment, cell elastic properties, and expression of smooth muscle cell (SMC) genes in ASCs are investigated.Due to proper availability ofASCs, results can be employed in cardiovascular engineeringwhen production of functional SMCs in arterial reconstruction is required. Results demonstrated that cells were oriented after 24 hours of cyclic stretch with aligned pseudo-podia. Staining of actin filaments confirmed enhanced polymerization and alignment of stress fibers. Such phenomenon resulted in stiffening of cell body which was quantified by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Expression of SM α-actin and SM22 α-actin as SMC associated genes were increased after cyclic stretch while GAPDH was considered as internal control gene. Finally, it was concluded that application of cyclic stretch on ASCs assists differentiation to SMC and enhances functionality of cells.

Keyword

Adipose-derived stem cell; Smooth muscle cell genes; AFM indentation; Cyclic stretch; Cell alignment

MeSH Terms

Actin Cytoskeleton
Cell Body
Cytoskeleton
Microscopy, Atomic Force
Muscle Cells
Muscle, Smooth*
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle*
Polymerization
Polymers
Stem Cells*
Stress Fibers
Tissue Engineering
Polymers