Tissue Eng Regen Med.  2019 Dec;16(6):573-583. 10.1007/s13770-019-00213-y.

Spreading Shape and Area Regulate the Osteogenesis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

• Zhao Y
• Sun Q
• Wang S
• Huo B

• KMID: 2467050
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1007/s13770-019-00213-y

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have strong self-renewal ability and multiple differentiation potential. Some studies confirmed that spreading shape and area of single MSCs influence cell differentiation, but few studies focused on the effect of the circularity of cell shape on the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs with a confined area during osteogenic process.
METHODS
In the present study, MSCs were seeded on a micropatterned island with a spreading area lower than that of a freely spreading area. The patterns had circularities of 1.0 or 0.4, respectively, and areas of 314, 628, or 1256 µm² . After the cells were grown on a micropatterned surface for 1 or 3 days, cell apoptosis and F-actin were stained and analyzed. In addition, the expression of β-catenin and three osteogenic differentiation markers were immunofluorescently stained and analyzed, respectively.
RESULTS
Of these MSCs, the ones with star-like shapes and large areas promoted the expression of osteogenic differentiation markers and the survival of cells. The expression of F-actin and its cytosolic distribution or orientation also correlated with the spreading shape and area. When actin polymerization was inhibited by cytochalasin D, the shape-regulated differentiation and apoptosis of MSCs with the confined spreading area were abolished.
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrated that a spreading shape of low circularity and a larger spreading area are beneficial to the survival and osteogenic differentiation of individual MSCs, which may be regulated through the cytosolic expression and distribution of F-actin.

Keyword

Micropattern; Spreading area; Cell shape; Osteogenesis; F-actin

MeSH Terms

Actins
Antigens, Differentiation
Apoptosis
Cell Differentiation
Cell Shape
Cytochalasin D
Cytosol
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells*
Osteogenesis*
Polymerization
Polymers
Actins
Antigens, Differentiation
Cytochalasin D
Polymers