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Development of a morphogenetically active scaffold for three‐dimensional growth of bone cells: biosilica–alginate hydrogel for SaOS‐2 cell cultivation
Author(s) -
Müller Werner E. G.,
Schröder Heinz C.,
Feng Qingling,
Schlossmacher Ute,
Link Thorben,
Wang Xiaohong
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.835
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-7005
pISSN - 1932-6254
DOI - 10.1002/term.1745
Subject(s) - self healing hydrogels , chemistry , bone morphogenetic protein 2 , scaffold , osteoblast , biomineralization , tissue engineering , biophysics , microbiology and biotechnology , chemical engineering , biochemistry , biomedical engineering , polymer chemistry , in vitro , biology , medicine , engineering
Abstract Polymeric silica is formed from ortho ‐silicate during a sol–gel formation process, while biosilica is the product of an enzymatically driven bio‐polycondensation reaction. Both polymers have recently been described as a template that induces an increased expression of the genes encoding bone morphogenetic protein 2 ( BMP‐2 ) and osteoprotegerin in osteoblast‐related SaOS‐2 cells; simultaneously or subsequently the cells respond with enhanced hydroxyapatite formation. In order to assess whether the biocompatible polymeric silica/biosilica can serve as a morphogenetically active matrix suitable for three‐dimensional (3D) cell growth, or even for 3D cell bioprinting, SaOS‐2 cells were embedded into a Na‐alginate‐based hydrogel. Four different gelatinous hydrogel matrices were used for suspending SaOS‐2 cells: (a) the hydrogel alone; (b) the hydrogel with 400 μ m ortho ‐silicate; (c) the hydrogel supplemented with 400 μ m ortho ‐silicate and recombinant silicatein to allow biosilica synthesis to occur; and (d) the hydrogel with ortho ‐silicate and BSA. The SaOS‐2 cells showed an increased growth if silica/biosilica components were present in the hydrogel. Likewise intensified was the formation of hydroxyapatite nodules in the silica‐containing hydrogels. After an incubation period of 2 weeks, cells present in silica‐containing hydrogels showed a significantly higher expression of the genes encoding the cytokine BMP‐2, the major fibrillar structural protein collagen 1 and likewise of carbonic anhydrase. It is concluded that silica, and to a larger extent biosilica, retains its morphogenetic/osteogenic potential after addition to Na‐alginate‐based hydrogels. This property might qualify silica hydrogels to be also used as a matrix for 3D cell printing. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.