Activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress and its effect on osteogenic differentiation induced by micropit/nanotube topography

Abstract

Objective: To explore the activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMMSC) and its effect on osteogenic differentiation induced by micropit/nanotube topography (MNT), so as to provide guidance for the topography design of biomaterials. Methods: Four sample groups were fabricated: polishing control group (polished titanium, PT, no treatment), thapsigargin treatment (TG, 0.1 μmol/L TG treated for 9 h), MNT5 and MNT20 (anodized at 5 V and 20 V after acid etching). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the topography of Ti samples. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) production, collagen secretion and extracellular matrix (ECM) mineralization of BMMSC (osteogenic induced for 7, 14 and 21 d) on Ti samples were detected to evaluate the osteogenic differentiation. After 12 h incubation, the shape and size of ER was examined using a transmission electron microscope (TEM), and ERS-related genes including immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein (BiP), protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) and activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Results: After 7, 14 and 21 d of induction, the ALP production, collagen secretion and ECM mineralization in TG and MNT20 all significantly increased compared to PT (P<0.05). The cells grown on TG, MNT5 and MNT20 surfaces displayed gross distortions of the ER. Compared to PT, BiP, PERK, ATF4 mRNA expression in TG was respectively 1.87±0.10, 2.24±0.35, 1.85±0.14; BiP, ATF4 mRNA expression in MNT5 were respectively 1.27±0.09, 1.25±0.04; BiP, PERK, ATF4 mRNA expression in MNT20 were respectively 1.44±0.09, 2.40±0.60, 1.48±0.05 (P<0.05). Conclusions: MNT triggered different degree of ERS, and the activated ERS may promote MNT-induced osteogenic differentiation.