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Review
. 2018 Oct 13;19(10):3150.
doi: 10.3390/ijms19103150.

3D Bone Biomimetic Scaffolds for Basic and Translational Studies with Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Cristina Sobacchi  1   2 , Marco Erreni  3 , Dario Strina  4   5 , Eleonora Palagano  6   7 , Anna Villa  8   9 , Ciro Menale  10   11
Affiliations
Review

3D Bone Biomimetic Scaffolds for Basic and Translational Studies with Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Cristina Sobacchi et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are recognized as an attractive tool owing to their self-renewal and differentiation capacity, and their ability to secrete bioactive molecules and to regulate the behavior of neighboring cells within different tissues. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that cells prefer three-dimensional (3D) to 2D culture conditions, at least because the former are closer to their natural environment. Thus, for in vitro studies and in vivo utilization, great effort is being dedicated to the optimization of MSC 3D culture systems in view of achieving the intended performance. This implies understanding cell⁻biomaterial interactions and manipulating the physicochemical characteristics of biomimetic scaffolds to elicit a specific cell behavior. In the bone field, biomimetic scaffolds can be used as 3D structures, where MSCs can be seeded, expanded, and then implanted in vivo for bone repair or bioactive molecules release. Actually, the union of MSCs and biomaterial has been greatly improving the field of tissue regeneration. Here, we will provide some examples of recent advances in basic as well as translational research about MSC-seeded scaffold systems. Overall, the proliferation of tools for a range of applications witnesses a fruitful collaboration among different branches of the scientific community.

Keywords: 3D culture; biomimetic scaffolds; mesenchymal stem cells; regenerative medicine; soluble factor release.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(A) Representative images of in vivo ceramic-based ectopic bone formation assay using wild type (WT) or Rankl−/− mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In scaffold systems seeded with WT MSCs, bone-like structures were present, as demonstrated by Masson’s trichrome (MT) staining of intense green collagen, and by yellow/orange birefringent fibers under polarized light in Picrosirius Red (PSR) staining. On the other hand, in Rankl−/− MSC-seeded scaffolds, the collagen deposition appeared less dense. Scale bar: 100 µm. (B) Representative images of in vitro WT or Rankl−/− MSC differentiation: MSCs were cultured in osteogenic medium for 14 days and mineralization was evaluated by Alizarin Red staining. Scale bar: 100 µm. Images are modified from [36].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Gene expression analysis of the adhesion molecules Zo-1 and V-Cam1, and of the metalloproteinases Mmp13 and Mmp2 in 2D- or 3D-cultured murine WT MSCs. Values are means ± SEM of 3–6 replicates. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.005; evaluated by t-Test.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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