Stem cell differentiation-related protein-loaded PLGA microspheres as a novel platform micro-typed scaffold for chondrogenesis

Abstract

During cell differentiation for tissue regeneration, several factors, including growth factors and proteins, influence cascades in stem cells such as embryonic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In this study, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β3 and SOX9, which is an important protein in chondrocytes, were used to generate mature chondrocytes from human MSCs (hMSCs). For safe and effective delivery of bioactive molecules into hMSCs, biodegradable poly-(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres (MSs) were coated with TGF-β3 and loaded with SOX9. Instead of SOX9 protein, release of the model protein FITC-bovine serum albumin (BSA) from PLGA MS was evaluated in vitro and in vivo by confocal laser microscopy and Kodak imaging. The bioactivities of TGF-β3 and SOX9 were evaluated by assessing α-helical formation using circular dichroism. PLGA MS loaded with FITC-BSA easily entered hMSCs without causing cytotoxicity. To confirm that internalization of PLGA MSs harboring TGF-β3 and SOX9 induced chondrogenesis of hMSCs, we performed several molecular analyses. By analysis, the specific marker gene expression levels in hMSCs adhered onto PLGA MSs coated with TGF-β3 and loaded with SOX9 were more than 3–5 times that of the control group both in vitro and in vivo. This result revealed that PLGA MS uptake and subsequent release of SOX9 induced chondrogenesis of hMSCs was enhanced by coating PLGA MSs with TGF-β3.