Cell shape, cytoskeletal mechanics, and cell cycle control in angiogenesis

Development of 3D in vitro technology for medical applications

In the past few years, biomaterials technologies together with significant efforts on developing biology have revolutionized the process of engineered materials. Three dimensional (3D) in vitro technology aims to develop set of tools that are simple, inexpensive, portable and robust that could be commercialized and used in various fields of biomedical sciences such as drug discovery, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic approaches in regenerative medicine. The proliferation of cells in the 3D scaffold needs an oxygen and nutrition supply. 3D scaffold materials should provide such an environment for cells living in close proximity. 3D scaffolds that are able to regenerate or restore tissue and/or organs have begun to revolutionize medicine and biomedical science. Scaffolds have been used to support and promote the regeneration of tissues. Different processing techniques have been developed to design and fabricate three dimensional scaffolds for tissue engineering implants. Throughout the chapters we discuss in this review, we inform the reader about the potential applications of different 3D in vitro systems that can be applied for fabricating a wider range of novel biomaterials for use in tissue engineering.

Cell-imprinted substrates act as an artificial niche for skin regeneration

Bioinspired materials can mimic the stem cell environment and modulate stem cell differentiation and proliferation. In this study, biomimetic micro/nanoenvironments were fabricated by cell-imprinted substrates based on mature human keratinocyte morphological templates. The data obtained from atomic force microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed that the keratinocyte-cell-imprinted poly(dimethylsiloxane) casting procedure could imitate the surface morphology of the plasma membrane, ranging from the nanoscale to the macroscale, which may provide the required topographical cell fingerprints to induce differentiation. Gene expression levels of the genes analyzed (involucrin, collagen type I, and keratin 10) together with protein expression data showed that human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) seeded on these cell-imprinted substrates were driven to adopt the specific shape and characteristics of keratinocytes. The observed morphology of the ADSCs grown on the keratinocyte casts was noticeably different from that of stem cells cultivated on the stem-cell-imprinted substrates. Since the shape and geometry of the nucleus could potentially alter the gene expression, we used molecular dynamics to probe the effect of the confining geometry on the chain arrangement of simulated chromatin fibers in the nuclei. The results obtained suggested that induction of mature cell shapes onto stem cells can influence nucleus deformation of the stem cells followed by regulation of target genes. This might pave the way for a reliable, efficient, and cheap approach of controlling stem cell differentiation toward skin cells for wound healing applications.

Stem Cell-Based Tissue Engineering for Regenerative Medicine

The applications of stem cells in tissue engineering will show great promise in generating tailor-made tissue/organs for clinical applications. This paper gives a review on a broad spectrum of areas in stem cell-based tissue engineering including neuron repair, cardiac patches, skin regeneration, gene therapy and cartilage tissue engineering. This paper is intended to serve as an informative tutorial for scientists and physicians from fields other than stem cells and tissue engineering. It will shed light on various strategies of target tissue/organ repair involving stem cells.

Do endothelial cells dream of eclectic shape?

Endothelial cells (ECs) exhibit dramatic plasticity of form at the single- and collective-cell level during new vessel growth, adult vascular homeostasis, and pathology. Understanding how, when, and why individual ECs coordinate decisions to change shape, in relation to the myriad of dynamic environmental signals, is key to understanding normal and pathological blood vessel behavior. However, this is a complex spatial and temporal problem. In this review we show that the multidisciplinary field of Adaptive Systems offers a refreshing perspective, common biological language, and straightforward toolkit that cell biologists can use to untangle the complexity of dynamic, morphogenetic systems.

Enhanced bone healing by improved fibrin-clot formation via fibrinogen adsorption on biphasic calcium phosphate granules

OBJECTIVES

Fibrin clots play an important role in bone tissue regeneration. This study aimed at improving the fibrin-clotting rate by coating the surface of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) granules with fibrinogen (FNG).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

FNG was coated on the BCP surface using an adsorption and freeze-drying method. The surface morphology of FNG-adsorbed BCP (FNG-BCP) was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the stability of the adsorbed FNG evaluated by gel electrophoresis and circular dichroism (CD) analysis. The biocompatibility of FNG-BCP was evaluated in vitro using human mesenchymal stem cells, and in vivo bone-healing efficiency determined using a rabbit calvarial bone defect model.

RESULTS

SEM studies showed numerous irregularly distributed FNG fractions adsorbed onto the surface of BCP granules. Gel electrophoresis, CD analysis, and in vitro coagulation results showed that the adsorbed FGN maintained its native protein structure and clotting properties. Biocompatibility experiments showed that cell proliferation and adhesion were improved in cells cultivated on the FNG-BCP granules. After surgical implantation into the bone defects, the FNG-BCP granules coagulated at the defect site by reacting with the blood discharged from the surgical site tissue. In addition, at 8 weeks, the volume of FNG40-BCP (P = 0.012) was significantly higher than that of BCP alone in the newly formed bone.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that self-coagulating FNG-CBP granules may have the potential to be used as a bone substitute for enabling effective bone repair through rapid fibrin-clot formation.

Nanobiomechanics of living cells: a review

Nanobiomechanics of living cells is very important to understand cell-materials interactions. This would potentially help to optimize the surface design of the implanted materials and scaffold materials for tissue engineering. The nanoindentation techniques enable quantifying nanobiomechanics of living cells, with flexibility of using indenters of different geometries. However, the data interpretation for nanoindentation of living cells is often difficult. Despite abundant experimental data reported on nanobiomechanics of living cells, there is a lack of comprehensive discussion on testing with different tip geometries, and the associated mechanical models that enable extracting the mechanical properties of living cells. Therefore, this paper discusses the strategy of selecting the right type of indenter tips and the corresponding mechanical models at given test conditions.

Differential effects of cyclic stretch on bFGF- and VEGF-induced sprouting angiogenesis

How mechanical factors affect angiogenesis and how they and chemical angiogenic factors work in concert remain not yet well-understood. This study investigated the interactive effects of cyclic uniaxial stretch and two potent proangiogenic molecules [basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)] on angiogenesis using a stretchable three-dimensional (3-D) cell culture model. Endothelial cells seeded atop a 3-D collagen gel underwent sprouting angiogenesis while being subjected to either 10 or 20% cyclic uniaxial stretch at a frequency of either 1/12 or 1 Hz, in conjunction with an elevated concentration of bFGF or VEGF. Without the presence of additional growth factors, 10 and 20% stretch at 1 Hz induced angiogenesis and the perpendicular alignment of new sprouts, and both inductive effects were abolished by cytochalasin D (an actin polymerization inhibitor). While "10% stretch at 1 Hz," "20% stretch at 1 Hz," bFGF, and VEGF were strong angiogenesis stimulants individually, only the combination of "20% stretch at 1 Hz" and bFGF had an additive effect on inducing new sprouts. Interestingly, the combination of "20% stretch at a lower frequency (1/12 Hz)" and bFGF decreased sprouting angiogenesis, even though the level of perpendicular alignment of new sprouts was the same for both stretch frequencies. Taken together, these results demonstrate that both stretch frequency and magnitude, along with interactions with various growth factors, are essential in mediating formation of endothelial sprouts and vascular patterning. Furthermore, work in this area is warranted to elucidate synergistic or competitive signaling mechanisms.

Comparison of in vitro and in vivo bioactivity: cuttlefish-bone-derived hydroxyapatite and synthetic hydroxyapatite granules as a bone graft substitute

Bone reconstruction in clinical settings often requires bone substitutes. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is a widely used bone substitute due to its osteoconductive properties and bone bonding ability. The aim of this study was to evaluate HAp granules derived from cuttlefish bone (CB-HAp) as a substitute biomaterial for bone grafts. In this study, HAp granules were prepared from raw CB by using a hydrothermal reaction. The formation of HAp from CB was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction analysis. The bioactivity of the CB-HAp granules was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Our results show that CB-HAp is non-toxic and that CB-HAp granules supported improved cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation compared to stoichiometric synthetic HAp granules. Furthermore, in vivo bone defect healing experiments show that the formation of bone with CB-HAp is higher than that with pure HAp. These results show that CB-HAp granules have excellent potential for use as a bone graft material.

Micro and Nano-Scale Technologies for Cell Mechanics

Cell mechanics is a multidisciplinary field that bridges cell biology, fundamental mechanics, and micro and nanotechnology, which synergize to help us better understand the intricacies and the complex nature of cells in their native environment. With recent advances in nanotechnology, microfabrication methods and micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS), we are now well situated to tap into the complex micro world of cells. The field that brings biology and MEMS together is known as Biological MEMS (BioMEMS). BioMEMS take advantage of systematic design and fabrication methods to create platforms that allow us to study cells like never before. These new technologies have been rapidly advancing the study of cell mechanics. This review article provides a succinct overview of cell mechanics and comprehensively surveys micro and nano-scale technologies that have been specifically developed for and are relevant to the mechanics of cells. Here we focus on micro and nano-scale technologies, and their applications in biology and medicine, including imaging, single cell analysis, cancer cell mechanics, organ-on-a-chip systems, pathogen detection, implantable devices, neuroscience and neurophysiology. We also provide a perspective on the future directions and challenges of technologies that relate to the mechanics of cells.

Theory of epithelial sheet morphology in three dimensions

Morphogenesis during embryo development requires the coordination of mechanical forces to generate the macroscopic shapes of organs. We propose a minimal theoretical model, based on cell adhesion and actomyosin contractility, which describes the various shapes of epithelial cells and the bending and buckling of epithelial sheets, as well as the relative stability of cellular tubes and spheres. We show that, to understand these processes, a full 3D description of the cells is needed, but that simple scaling laws can still be derived. The morphologies observed in vivo can be understood as stable points of mechanical equations and the transitions between them are either continuous or discontinuous. We then focus on epithelial sheet bending, a ubiquitous morphogenetic process. We calculate the curvature of an epithelium as a function of actin belt tension as well as of cell-cell and and cell-substrate tension. The model allows for a comparison of the relative stabilities of spherical or cylindrical cellular structures (acini or tubes). Finally, we propose a unique type of buckling instability of epithelia, driven by a flattening of individual cell shapes, and discuss experimental tests to verify our predictions.

Mechanoregulation of valvular interstitial cell phenotype in the third dimension

A quantitative understanding of the complex interactions between cells, soluble factors, and the biological and mechanical properties of biomaterials is required to guide cell remodeling toward regeneration of healthy tissue rather than fibrocontractive tissue. In the present study, we characterized the combined effects of boundary stiffness and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) on cell-generated forces and collagen accumulation. We first generated a quantitative map of cell-generated tension in response to these factors by culturing valvular interstitial cells (VICs) within micro-scale fibrin gels between compliant posts (0.15-1.05 nN/nm) in chemically-defined media with TGF-β1 (0-5 ng/mL). The VICs generated 100-3000 nN/cell after one week of culture, and multiple regression modeling demonstrated, for the first time, quantitative interaction (synergy) between these factors in a three-dimensional culture system. We then isolated passive and active components of tension within the micro-tissues and found that cells cultured with high levels of stiffness and TGF-β1 expressed myofibroblast markers and generated substantial residual tension in the matrix yet, surprisingly, were not able to generate additional tension in response to membrane depolarization signifying a state of continual maximal contraction. In contrast, negligible residual tension was stored in the low stiffness and TGF-β1 groups indicating a lower potential for shrinkage upon release. We then studied if ECM could be generated under the low tension environment and found that TGF-β1, but not EGF, increased de novo collagen accumulation in both low and high tension environments roughly equally. Combined, these findings suggest that isometric cell force, passive retraction, and collagen production can be tuned by independently altering boundary stiffness and TGF-β1 concentration. The ability to stimulate matrix production without inducing high active tension will aid in the development of robust tissue engineered heart valves and other connective tissue replacements where minimizing tissue shrinkage upon implantation is critical.

MicroRNA-9 inhibits vasculogenic mimicry of glioma cell lines by suppressing Stathmin expression

The purpose of this study was to investigate the functions of microRNA-9, which is a tissue-specific microRNA in central nervous system, in the vasculogenic mimicry (VM) of glioma cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Glioma cell lines U87MG, U251 and SHG44 were transfected with microRNA-9 mimic, microRNA-9 inhibitor or scramble sequences. The amount of microRNA-9 and Stathmin (STMN1) mRNA was determined by quantitative real-time PCR, and the protein expression of STMN1 was determined by western blot. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed. The interactions between the 3'UTR of STMN1 and miR-9 was determined by luciferase reporter assay. The VM capacity in vitro was evaluated using VM formation assay, and the rescue experiment of STMN1 was carried out in U251 cells. The in vivo experiment was applied with animal models implanted with U87MG cells.MicroRNA-9 mimic transfection reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis in glioma cell lines (p < 0.05). MicroRNA-9 mimic up-regulated STMN1 mRNA levels but reduced its protein levels (p < 0.05), and luciferase activity of STMN1 was suppressed by microRNA-9 mimic transfection (p < 0.05). Furthermore, microRNA-9 mimic transfection suppressed tumor volume growth, as well as VM both in vitro and in vivo. The cell viability and microtube density were upregulated in U251 cells after STMN1 up-regulation (p < 0.05). STMN1 is a target of microRNA-9, and microRNA-9 could modulate cell proliferation, VM and tumor volume growth through controlling STMN1 expression. MicroRNA-9 and its targets may represent a novel panel of molecules for the development of glioma treatment.

Engineering three-dimensional collagen-IKVAV matrix to mimic neural microenvironment

Engineering the cellular microenvironment has great potential to create a platform technology toward engineering of tissue and organs. This study aims to engineer a neural microenvironment through fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) engineered collagen matrixes mimicking in-vivo-like conditions. Collagen was chemically modified with a pentapeptide epitope consisting of isoleucine-lysine-valine-alanine-valine (IKVAV) to mimic laminin structure supports of the neural extracellular matrix (ECM). Three-dimensional collagen matrixes with and without IKVAV peptide modification were fabricated by freeze-drying technology and chemical cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. Structural information of 3D collagen matrixes indicated interconnected pores structure with an average pore size of 180 μm. Our results indicated that culture of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells in 3D collagen matrix was greatly influenced by 3D culture method and significantly enhanced with engineered collagen matrix conjugated with IKVAV peptide. It may be concluded that an appropriate 3D culture of neurons enables DRG to positively improve the cellular fate toward further acceleration in tissue regeneration.

Morphological restriction of human coronary artery endothelial cells substantially impacts global gene expression patterns

Alterations in cell shape have been shown to modulate chromatin condensation and cell lineage specification; however, the mechanisms controlling these processes are largely unknown. Because endothelial cells experience cyclic mechanical changes from blood flow during normal physiological processes and disrupted mechanical changes as a result of abnormal blood flow, cell shape deformation and loss of polarization during coronary artery disease, we aimed to determine how morphological restriction affects global gene expression patterns. Human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) were cultured on spatially defined adhesive micropatterns, forcing them to conform to unique cellular morphologies differing in cellular polarization and angularity. We utilized pattern recognition algorithms and statistical analysis to validate the cytoskeletal pattern reproducibility and uniqueness of each micropattern, and performed microarray analysis on normal-shaped and micropatterned HCAECs to determine how constrained cellular morphology affects gene expression patterns. Analysis of the data revealed that forcing HCAECs to conform to geometrically-defined shapes significantly affects their global transcription patterns compared to nonrestricted shapes. Interestingly, gene expression patterns were altered in response to morphological restriction in general, although they were consistent regardless of the particular shape the cells conformed to. These data suggest that the ability of HCAECs to spread, although not necessarily their particular morphology, dictates their genomics patterns.

A novel single virus infection system reveals that influenza virus preferentially infects cells in g1 phase

BACKGROUND

Influenza virus attaches to sialic acid residues on the surface of host cells via the hemagglutinin (HA), a glycoprotein expressed on the viral envelope, and enters into the cytoplasm by receptor-mediated endocytosis. The viral genome is released and transported in to the nucleus, where transcription and replication take place. However, cellular factors affecting the influenza virus infection such as the cell cycle remain uncharacterized.

METHODS/RESULTS

To resolve the influence of cell cycle on influenza virus infection, we performed a single-virus infection analysis using optical tweezers. Using this newly developed single-virus infection system, the fluorescence-labeled influenza virus was trapped on a microchip using a laser (1064 nm) at 0.6 W, transported, and released onto individual H292 human lung epithelial cells. Interestingly, the influenza virus attached selectively to cells in the G1-phase. To clarify the molecular differences between cells in G1- and S/G2/M-phase, we performed several physical and chemical assays. Results indicated that: 1) the membranes of cells in G1-phase contained greater amounts of sialic acids (glycoproteins) than the membranes of cells in S/G2/M-phase; 2) the membrane stiffness of cells in S/G2/M-phase is more rigid than those in G1-phase by measurement using optical tweezers; and 3) S/G2/M-phase cells contained higher content of Gb3, Gb4 and GlcCer than G1-phase cells by an assay for lipid composition.

CONCLUSIONS

A novel single-virus infection system was developed to characterize the difference in influenza virus susceptibility between G1- and S/G2/M-phase cells. Differences in virus binding specificity were associated with alterations in the lipid composition, sialic acid content, and membrane stiffness. This single-virus infection system will be useful for studying the infection mechanisms of other viruses.

Segmentation and morphometric analysis of cells from fluorescence microscopy images of cytoskeletons

We developed a method to reconstruct cell geometry from confocal fluorescence microscopy images of the cytoskeleton. In the method, region growing was implemented twice. First, it was applied to the extracellular regions to differentiate them from intracellular noncytoskeletal regions, which both appear black in fluorescence microscopy imagery, and then to cell regions for cell identification. Analysis of morphological parameters revealed significant changes in cell shape associated with cytoskeleton disruption, which offered insight into the mechanical role of the cytoskeleton in maintaining cell shape. The proposed segmentation method is promising for investigations on cell morphological changes with respect to internal cytoskeletal structures.

Reinforcement of a new calcium phosphate cement with RGD-chitosan-fiber

Calcium phosphate cement (CPC) has been widely used in orthopedic and dental applications. A critical limitation of CPC is low strength and high susceptibility to severe fracture. Surgeons can use it only to reconstruct non-stress bearing bone, raising the need for a tougher new generation of CPC. Fibers have been used as a reinforcement of CPC to improve the strength of a pure CPC scaffold. The RGD peptides (Arg-Gly-Asp) have been used to improve the biocompatibility of the scaffold, via physical adsorption. The purpose of this study was to develop a novel CPC scaffold reinforced by RGD peptide-bearing chitosan fibers (RGD-fiber-CPC). Our data showed that the RGD-fiber-CPC scaffold had an increased flexural strength, and stimulated new bone formation in an animal model. The RGD-fiber-CPC is a novel bone graft substitute in orthopedic surgery.

Negative pressure therapy stimulates healing of critical-size calvarial defects in rabbits

Negative pressure therapy (NPT) is the controlled application of subatmospheric pressure to wounds. It has been shown to stimulate healing across a broad spectrum of soft-tissue wounds, at least in part from the application of mechanical stress on cells and tissues in the wound environment. This study tests the hypothesis that application of NPT to cranial critical-size defects (CSD) in skeletally mature rabbits leads to osseous healing. NPT was delivered 1, 4, 6 or 10 days over CSD-containing calcium phosphate scaffolds placed in contact with intact dura. At 12 weeks after defect creation, NPT groups exhibited significantly greater defect bridging and bone within the scaffolds (P<0.01). Increasing duration of NPT did not result in a greater amount of bone within the scaffolds, but did increase the amount of bone distributed in the upper half of the scaffolds. Appearance of tissue within defects immediately following the removal of NPT at day 6 suggests alternating regions of dural compression and distention indicative of cell stretching. Dura and adjacent tissue were composed of multiple cell layers that extended up into the scaffolds, lining struts and populating pore spaces. An extracellular matrix densely populated with cells and capillaries, as well as larger vessels, infiltrated pores of NPT-treated scaffolds, while scattered spindle-shaped cells and sparse stroma are present within pores of control scaffolds. This rabbit model data suggest that NPT activates within mature dura a natural healing cascade that results in osseous tissue formation without the addition of exogenous factors or progenitor cells.

Collagen--emerging collagen based therapies hit the patient

The choice of biomaterials available for regenerative medicine continues to grow rapidly, with new materials often claiming advantages over the short-comings of those already in existence. Going back to nature, collagen is one of the most abundant proteins in mammals and its role is essential to our way of life. It can therefore be obtained from many sources including porcine, bovine, equine or human and offer a great promise as a biomimetic scaffold for regenerative medicine. Using naturally derived collagen, extracellular matrices (ECMs), as surgical materials have become established practice for a number of years. For clinical use the goal has been to preserve as much of the composition and structure of the ECM as possible without adverse effects to the recipient. This review will therefore cover in-depth both naturally and synthetically produced collagen matrices. Furthermore the production of more sophisticated three dimensional collagen scaffolds that provide cues at nano-, micro- and meso-scale for molecules, cells, proteins and bulk fluids by inducing fibrils alignments, embossing and layered configuration through the application of plastic compression technology will be discussed in details. This review will also shed light on both naturally and synthetically derived collagen products that have been available in the market for several purposes including neural repair, as cosmetic for the treatment of dermatologic defects, haemostatic agents, mucosal wound dressing and guided bone regeneration membrane. There are other several potential applications of collagen still under investigations and they are also covered in this review.

Keratinocyte cytoskeletal roles in cell sheet engineering

Background

There is an increasing need to understand cell-cell interactions for cell and tissue engineering purposes, such as optimizing cell sheet constructs, as well as for examining adhesion defect diseases. For cell-sheet engineering, one major obstacle to sheet function is that cell sheets in suspension are fragile and, over time, will contract. While the role of the cytoskeleton in maintaining the structure and adhesion of cells cultured on a rigid substrate is well-characterized, a systematic examination of the role played by different components of the cytoskeleton in regulating cell sheet contraction and cohesion in the absence of a substrate has been lacking.

Results

In this study, keratinocytes were cultured until confluent and cell sheets were generated using dispase to remove the influence of the substrate. The effects of disrupting actin, microtubules or intermediate filaments on cell-cell interactions were assessed by measuring cell sheet cohesion and contraction. Keratin intermediate filament disruption caused comparable effects on cell sheet cohesion and contraction, when compared to actin or microtubule disruption. Interfering with actomyosin contraction demonstrated that interfering with cell contraction can also diminish cell cohesion.

Conclusions

All components of the cytoskeleton are involved in maintaining cell sheet cohesion and contraction, although not to the same extent. These findings demonstrate that substrate-free cell sheet biomechanical properties are dependent on the integrity of the cytoskeleton network.

Influence of variable substrate geometry on wettability and cellular responses

In this report, we evaluate the impact of a systematic change to the extracellular environment on cell morphology and functionality by combining the inherent properties of biocompatible polymers such as polydimethylsiloxane and polycaprolactone with a specific surface response. By microstructuring pillars and pits on the substrates, varying spacing and height of the structures, we investigate the role of topography in fibroblast cell adhesion and viability. The change of wetting behaviour was tailored and evaluated in terms of contact angle measurements. It was shown that the range of micro-scale physical cues at the interface between the cells and the surrounding environment affects cell shape and migrations, indicating a tendency to respond differently to higher features of the micro-scale. We found that surface topography seems dominant over material wettability, fibroblasts responded to variations in topography by altering morphology and migrating along the direction of spacing among the features biased by the height of structures and not by the material. It is therefore possible to selectively influence either cell adhesion or morphology by choosing adequate topography of the surface. This work can impact in the design of biomaterials and can be applied to implanted biomedical devices, tissue engineering scaffolds and lab on chip devices.

A chemically-defined screening platform reveals behavioral similarities between primary human mesenchymal stem cells and endothelial cells

Chemically defined substrates, which rigorously control protein-surface and cell-surface interactions, can be used to probe the effects of specific biomolecules on cell behavior. Here we combined a chemically-defined, array-based format with automated, time-lapse microscopy to efficiently screen cell-substrate interactions. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiolates bearing oligo(ethylene glycol) units and reactive terminal groups were used to present cell adhesion peptides while minimizing non-specific protein interactions. Specifically, we describe rapid fabrication of arrays of 1 mm spots, which present varied densities of the integrin-binding ligand Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro (GRGDSP). Results indicate that cell attachment, cell spreading, and proliferation exhibit strong dependencies on GRGDSP density for both human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Furthermore, relative spreading and proliferation over a broad range of GRGDSP densities were similar for both primary cell types, and detailed comparison between cell behaviors identified a 1 : 1 correlation between spreading and proliferation for both HUVECs and hMSCs. Finally, time-lapse microscopy of SAM arrays revealed distinct adhesion-dependent migratory behaviors for HUVECs and hMSCs. These results demonstrate the benefits of using an array-based screening platform for investigating cell function. While the proof-of-concept focuses on simple cellular properties, the quantitative similarities observed for hMSCs and HUVECs provides a direct example of how phenomena that would not easily be predicted can be shown to correlate between different cell types.

Anti-angiogenic activity of Herba Epimedii on zebrafish embryos in vivo and HUVECs in vitro

Herba Epimedii, an herb commonly used in East Asian medicine, is commonly used for treatment of impotence, osteoporosis and many inflammatory conditions in traditional Chinese medicine. Recent studies revealed that Herba Epimedii also has anti-tumor or anti-cancer activities, which may possibly be mediated through anti-angiogenesis. This study aims to examine and confirm the anti-angiogenic activity in the herb using both in vivo and in vitro approaches. The 95% ethanol extract and four subsequent fractions (n-hexane, ethyl acetate (EA), n-butanol and aqueous fractions) of Herba Epimedii were tested on the zebrafish model by the quantitative assay for endogenous alkaline phosphatase; then, the active fraction was further tested on Tg(fli1a:EGFP)y1 zebrafish embryos and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) for the anti-angiogenic effects. In addition, the action mechanism of Herba Epimedii was further investigated on wild-type zebrafish embryos and HUVECs. The EA fraction showed anti-angiogenic effects in both in vivo and in vitro models. Further experiments demonstrated that it might affect angiogenesis by acting on multiple molecular targets in zebrafish embryos and ERK signaling pathway in HUVECs. In conclusion, Herba Epimedii can inhibit angiogenesis, which may be the mechanism for its anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-cancer actions.

Growth and osteogenic differentiation of alveolar human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on chitosan/hydroxyapatite composite fabric

Scaffolds can be used for tissue engineering because they can serve as templates for cell adhesion and proliferation for tissue repair. In this study, chitosan/hydroxyapatite (CS/HAp) composites were prepared by coprecipitation synthesis. Then, CS and CS/HAp fabrics were prepared by wet spinning. CS fibers with a diameter of 15 ± 1.3 μm and CS/HAp fibers with a diameter of 22 ± 1.2 μm were successfully produced; incorporation of HAp into the CS/HAp fibers was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Biological in vitro evaluations showed that human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) cultured on CS/HAp fabric showed increased proliferation compared to those cultured on pure CS fabric, which was observed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, DNA content assay, and [(3) H] thymidine incorporation assay. Neither the CS nor CS/HAp scaffold exhibited any cytotoxicity to hMSCs, as shown by viability staining and cytotoxicity fluorescence image assays. After 10 days of culturing, the attachment of cells onto the scaffold was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, under osteogenic differentiation conditions, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium accumulation was higher in cells cultured on the CS/HAp scaffold than in cells cultured on the CS scaffold. The mRNA expression of osteoblast markers, including ALP, osteocalcin, Co1Ia1, and runt-related transcription factor 2, was higher in cells cultured on CS/HAp than in cells cultured on the CS fabric. The results of this study indicate that the CS/HAp composite fabric may serve as a good scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications.

Development of 3D in vitro platform technology to engineer mesenchymal stem cells

This study aims to develop a three-dimensional in vitro culture system to genetically engineer mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to express bone morphogenic protein-2. We employed nanofabrication technologies borrowed from the spinning industry, such as electrospinning, to mass-produce identical building blocks in a variety of shapes and sizes to fabricate electrospun nanofiber sheets comprised of composites of poly (glycolic acid) and collagen. Homogenous nanoparticles of cationic biodegradable natural polymer were formed by simple mixing of an aqueous solution of plasmid DNA encoded bone morphogenic protein-2 with the same volume of cationic polysaccharide, dextran-spermine. Rat bone marrow MSC were cultured on electrospun nanofiber sheets comprised of composites of poly (glycolic acid) and collagen prior to the incorporation of the nanoparticles into the nanofiber sheets. Bone morphogenic protein-2 was significantly detected in MSC cultured on nanofiber sheets incorporated with nanoparticles after 2 days compared with MSC cultured on nanofiber sheets incorporated with naked plasmid DNA. We conclude that the incorporation of nanoparticles into nanofiber sheets is a very promising strategy to genetically engineer MSC and can be used for further applications in regenerative medicine therapy.

Bioactive polymer scaffold for fabrication of vascularized engineering tissue

Tissue engineering seeks strategies to design polymeric scaffolds that allow high-cell-density cultures with signaling molecules and suitable vascular supply. One major obstacle in tissue engineering is the inability to create thick engineered-tissue constructs. A pre-vascularized tissue scaffold appears to be the most favorable approach to avoid nutrient and oxygen supply limitations as well as to allow waste removal, factors that are often hurdles in developing thick engineered tissues. Vascularization can be achieved using strategies in which cells are cultured in bioactive polymer scaffolds that can mimic extracellular matrix environments. This review addresses recent advances and future challenges in developing and using bioactive polymer scaffolds to promote tissue construct vascularization.

Spatial coordination between cell and nuclear shape within micropatterned endothelial cells

Growing evidence suggests that cytoplasmic actin filaments are essential factors in the modulation of nuclear shape and function. However, the mechanistic understanding of the internal orchestration between cell and nuclear shape is still lacking. Here we show that orientation and deformation of the nucleus are regulated by lateral compressive forces driven by tension in central actomyosin fibres. By using a combination of micro-manipulation tools, our study reveals that tension in central stress fibres is gradually generated by anisotropic force contraction dipoles, which expand as the cell elongates and spreads. Our findings indicate that large-scale cell shape changes induce a drastic condensation of chromatin and dramatically affect cell proliferation. On the basis of these findings, we propose a simple mechanical model that quantitatively accounts for our experimental data and provides a conceptual framework for the mechanistic coordination between cell and nuclear shape.

Engineering therapies in the CNS: what works and what can be translated

Engineering is the art of taking what we know and using it to solve problems. As engineers, we build tool chests of approaches; we attempt to learn as much as possible about the problem at hand, and then we design, build, and test our approaches to see how they impact the system. The challenge of applying this approach to the central nervous system (CNS) is that we often do not know the details of what is needed from the biological side. New therapeutic options for treating the CNS range from new biomaterials to make scaffolds, to novel drug-delivery techniques, to functional electrical stimulation. However, the reality is that translating these new therapies and making them widely available to patients requires collaborations between scientists, engineers, clinicians, and patients to have the greatest chance of success. Here we discuss a variety of new treatment strategies and explore the pragmatic challenges involved with engineering therapies in the CNS.

The RhoA-ROCK-PTEN pathway as a molecular switch for anchorage dependent cell behavior

The proliferation of anchorage-dependent cells of mesenchymal origin requires the attachment of the cells to substrates. Thus, cells that are poorly attached to substrates exhibit retarded cell cycle progression or apoptotic death. A major disadvantage of most polymers used in tissue engineering is their hydrophobicity; hydrophobic surfaces do not allow cells to attach firmly and, therefore, do not allow normal proliferation rates. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism underlying the reduced proliferation rate of cells that are poorly attached to substrates. There was an inverse relationship between the activity of the small GTPase RhoA (RhoA) and the cell proliferation rate. RhoA activity correlated inversely with the strength of cell adhesion to the substrates. The high RhoA activity in the cells poorly attached to substrates caused an increase in the activity of Rho-associated kinase (ROCK), a well-known effector of RhoA that upregulated the activity of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). The resulting activated PTEN downregulated Akt activity, which is essential for cell proliferation. Thus, the cells that were poorly attached to substrates showed low levels of cell proliferation because the RhoA-ROCK-PTEN pathway was hyperactive. In addition, RhoA activity seemed to be related to focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activity. Weak FAK activity in these poorly attached cells failed to downregulate the high RhoA activity that restrained cell proliferation. Interestingly, reducing the expression of any component of the RhoA-ROCK-PTEN pathway rescued the proliferation rate without physico-chemical surface modifications. Based on these results, we suggest that the RhoA-ROCK-PTEN pathway acts as a molecular switch to control cell proliferation and determine anchorage dependence. In cells that are poorly attached to substrates, its inhibition is sufficient to restore cell proliferation without the need for physico-chemical modification of the material surface.

Mechanobiology of scarring

The mechanophysiological conditions of injured skin greatly influence the degree of scar formation, scar contracture, and abnormal scar progression/generation (e.g., keloids and hypertrophic scars). It is important that scar mechanobiology be understood from the perspective of the extracellular matrix and extracellular fluid, in order to analyze mechanotransduction pathways and develop new strategies for scar prevention and treatment. Mechanical forces such as stretching tension, shear force, scratch, compression, hydrostatic pressure, and osmotic pressure can be perceived by two types of skin receptors. These include cellular mechanoreceptors/mechanosensors, such as cytoskeleton (e.g., actin filaments), cell adhesion molecules (e.g., integrin), and mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels (e.g., Ca(2+) channel), and sensory nerve fibers (e.g., MS nociceptors) that produce the somatic sensation of mechanical force. Mechanical stimuli are received by MS nociceptors and signals are transmitted to the dorsal root ganglia that contain neuronal cell bodies in the afferent spinal nerves. Neuropeptides are thereby released from the peripheral terminals of the primary afferent sensory neurons in the skin, modulating scarring via skin and immune cell functions (e.g., cell proliferation, cytokine production, antigen presentation, sensory neurotransmission, mast cell degradation, vasodilation, and increased vascular permeability under physiological or pathophysiological conditions). Mechanoreceptor or MS nociceptor inhibition and mechanical force reduction should propel the development of novel methods for scar prevention and treatment.

ANTICYTOSKELETAL DRUGS AND TIME CULTURE EFFECTS UPON THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF DERMAL EQUIVALENT TISSUE SUBMITTED TO UNCONFINED COMPRESSION LOADING

The dermal equivalent (DE), a dermis substitute consisting of human skin fibroblasts growing into a three-dimensional collagen matrix, is extensively used in many applications: wound-healing response, pharmacological studies, skin grafting, fibroblast proliferation and migration, extracellular matrix remodeling, and efficacy of cosmetic products. The widespread growth of numerical modeling in biomechanical research has placed a heightened emphasis on accurate material property data for soft biological tissues, in particular for equivalent dermis which has not been so thoroughly investigated. Under unconfined compression loading, the effects of the strain rate, time culture, and cytoskeleton-disrupting agents are experimentally investigated. In order to model the observed mechanical behavior of the DE under the above conditions, the internal state variable approach is adopted for finite deformation viscoelasticity and the optimized material parameters are identified with respect to the stated thermodynamic restriction (i.e. positive viscous dissipation).

A morphometric study of mechanotransductively induced dermal neovascularization

BACKGROUND

Mechanical stretch has been shown to induce vascular remodeling and increase vessel density, but the pathophysiologic mechanisms and the morphologic changes induced by tensile forces to dermal vessels are poorly understood.

METHODS

A custom computer-controlled stretch device was designed and applied to the backs of C57BL/6 mice (n=38). Dermal and vascular remodeling was studied over a 7-day period. Corrosion casting and three-dimensional scanning electron microscopy and CD31 staining were performed to analyze microvessel morphology. Hypoxia was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Western blot analysis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and mRNA expression of VEGF receptors was performed.

RESULTS

Skin stretching was associated with increased angiogenesis as demonstrated by CD31 staining and vessel corrosion casting where intervascular distance and vessel diameter were decreased (p<0.01). Immediately after stretching, VEGF dimers were increased. Messenger RNA expression of VEGF receptor 1, VEGF receptor 2, neuropilin 1, and neuropilin 2 was increased starting as early as 2 hours after stretching. Highly proliferating epidermal cells induced epidermal hypoxia starting at day 3 (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Identification of significant hypoxic cells occurred after identification of neovessels, suggesting an alternative mechanism. Increased expression of angiogenic receptors and stabilization of VEGF dimers may be involved in a mechanotransductive, prehypoxic induction of neovascularization.

A hitchhiker's guide to mechanobiology

More than a century ago, it was proposed that mechanical forces could drive tissue formation. However, only recently with the advent of enabling biophysical and molecular technologies are we beginning to understand how individual cells transduce mechanical force into biochemical signals. In turn, this knowledge of mechanotransduction at the cellular level is beginning to clarify the role of mechanics in patterning processes during embryonic development. In this perspective, we will discuss current mechanotransduction paradigms, along with the technologies that have shaped the field of mechanobiology.

Mechanisms of structure generation during plastic compression of nanofibrillar collagen hydrogel scaffolds: towards engineering of collagen

Operator control of cell/matrix density of plastically compressed collagen hydrogel scaffolds critically depends on reproducibly limiting the extent of scaffold compaction, as fluid expulsion. A functional model of the compression process is presented, based on the idea that the main fluid-leaving surface (FLS) behaves as an ultrafiltration membrane, allowing fluid (water) out but retaining collagen fibrils to form a cake. We hypothesize that accumulation of collagen at the FLS produces anisotropic structuring but also increases FLS hydraulic resistance (R(FLS) ), in turn limiting the flux. Our findings show that while compressive load is the primary determinant of flux at the beginning of compression (load-dependent phase), increasing FLS collagen density (measured by X-ray attenuation) and increasing R(FLS) become the key determinants of flux as the process proceeds (flow-dependent phase). The model integrates these two phases and can closely predict fluid loss over time for a range of compressive loads. This model provides a useful tool for engineering cell and matrix density to tissue-specific levels, as well as generating localized 3D nano micro-scale structures and zonal heterogeneity within scaffolds. Such structure generation is important for complex tissue engineering and forms the basis for process automation and up-scaling.

Theoretical model for cellular shapes driven by protrusive and adhesive forces

The forces that arise from the actin cytoskeleton play a crucial role in determining the cell shape. These include protrusive forces due to actin polymerization and adhesion to the external matrix. We present here a theoretical model for the cellular shapes resulting from the feedback between the membrane shape and the forces acting on the membrane, mediated by curvature-sensitive membrane complexes of a convex shape. In previous theoretical studies we have investigated the regimes of linear instability where spontaneous formation of cellular protrusions is initiated. Here we calculate the evolution of a two dimensional cell contour beyond the linear regime and determine the final steady-state shapes arising within the model. We find that shapes driven by adhesion or by actin polymerization (lamellipodia) have very different morphologies, as observed in cells. Furthermore, we find that as the strength of the protrusive forces diminish, the system approaches a stabilization of a periodic pattern of protrusions. This result can provide an explanation for a number of puzzling experimental observations regarding cellular shape dependence on the properties of the extra-cellular matrix.

Cells have highly varied and dynamic shapes, which are determined by internal forces generated by the cytoskeleton. These forces include protrusive forces due to the formation of new internal fibers and forces produced due to attachment of the cell to an external substrate. A long standing challenge is to explain how the myriad components of the cytoskeleton self-organize to form the observed shapes of cells. We present here a theoretical study of the shapes of cells that are driven only by protrusive forces of two types; one is the force due to polymerization of actin filaments which acts as an internal pressure on the membrane, and the second is the force due to adhesion between the membrane and external substrate. The key property is that both forces are localized on the cell membrane by protein complexes that have convex spontaneous curvature. This leads to a positive feedback that destabilizes the uniform cell shape and induces the spontaneous formation of patterns. We compare the resulting patterns to observed cellular shapes and find good agreement, which allows us to explain some of the puzzling dependencies of cell shapes on the properties of the surrounding matrix.

Bone cell elasticity and morphology changes during the cell cycle

The mechanical properties of cells are reported to be regulated by a range of factors including interactions with the extracellular environment and other cells, differentiation status, the onset of pathological states, as well as the intracellular factors, for example, the cytoskeleton. The cell cycle is considered to be a well-ordered sequence of biochemical events. A number of processes reported to occur during its progression are inherently mechanical and, as such, require mechanical regulation. In spite of this, few attempts have been made to investigate the putative regulatory role of the cell cycle in mechanobiology. In the present study, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was employed to investigate the elastic modulus of synchronised osteoblasts. The data obtained confirm that osteoblast elasticity is regulated by cell cycle phase; specifically, cells in S phase were found to have a modulus approximately 1.7 times that of G1 phase cells. Confocal microscopy studies revealed that aspects of osteoblast morphology, namely F-actin expression, were also modulated by the cell cycle, and tended to increase with phase progression from G0 onwards. The data obtained in this study are likely to have implications for the fields of tissue- and bio-engineering, where prior knowledge of cell mechanobiology is essential for the effective replacement and repair of tissue. Furthermore, studies focused on biomechanics and the biophysical properties of cells are important in the understanding of the onset and progression of disease states, for example cancer at the cellular level. Our study demonstrates the importance of the combined use of traditional and relatively novel microscopy techniques in understanding mechanical regulation by crucial cellular processes, such as the cell cycle.

In vivo acceleration of skin growth using a servo-controlled stretching device

Tension is a principal force experienced by skin and serves a critical role in growth and development. Optimal tension application regimens may be an important component for skin tissue engineering and dermatogenesis. In this study, we designed and tested a novel servo-controlled skin-stretching device to apply predetermined tension and waveforms in mice. The effects of static and cyclical stretching forces were compared in 48 mice by measuring epidermal proliferation, angiogenesis, cutaneous perfusion, and principal growth factors using immunohistochemistry, real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and hyperspectral imaging. All stretched samples had upregulated epidermal proliferation and angiogenesis. Real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction of epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor beta1, and nerve growth factor demonstrated greater expression in cyclically stretched skin when compared to static stretch. Hypoxia-induced factor 1alpha was significantly upregulated in cyclically stretched skin, but poststretch analysis demonstrated well-oxygenated tissue, collectively suggesting the presence of transient hypoxia. Waveform-specific mechanical loads may accelerate tissue growth by mechanotransduction and as a result of repeated cycles of temporary hypoxia. Further analysis of mechanotransduction signaling pathways may provide additional insight to improve skin tissue engineering methods and optimize our device.

Chondrocyte calcium signaling in response to fluid flow is regulated by matrix adhesion in 3-D alginate scaffolds

The interaction between chondrocytes and their surrounding extracellular matrix plays an important role in regulating cartilage metabolism in response to environmental cues. This study characterized the role of cell adhesion on the calcium signaling response of chondrocytes to fluid flow. Bovine chondrocytes were suspended in alginate hydrogels functionalized with RGD at concentrations of 0-400μM. The hydrogels were perfused and the calcium signaling response of the cells was measured over a range of fluid velocities from 0 to 68μm/s. Attachment to RGD-alginate doubled the sensitivity of chondrocytes to flows in the range of 8-13μm/s, but at higher fluid velocities, the contribution of cell adhesion to the observed calcium signaling response was no longer apparent. The enhanced sensitivity to flow was dependent on the density of RGD-ligand present in the scaffolds. The RGD-enhanced sensitivity to flow was completely inhibited by the addition of soluble RGD which acted as a competitive inhibitor. The results of this study indicate a role for matrix adhesion in regulating chondrocyte response to fluid flow through a calcium dependent mechanism.

Polymerization and matrix physical properties as important design considerations for soluble collagen formulations

Despite extensive use of type I collagen for research and medical applications, its fibril-forming or polymerization potential has yet to be fully defined and exploited. Here, we describe a type I collagen formulation that is acid solubilized from porcine skin collagen (PSC), quality controlled based upon polymerization potential, and well suited as a platform polymer for preparing three-dimensional (3D) culture systems and injectable/implantable in vivo cellular microenvironments in which both relevant biochemical and biophysical parameters can be precision-controlled. PSC is compared with three commercial collagens in terms of composition and purity as well as polymerization potential, which is described by kinetic parameters and fibril microstructure and mechanical properties of formed matrices. When subjected to identical polymerization conditions, PSC showed significantly decreased polymerization times compared to the other collagens and yielded matrices with the greatest mechanical integrity and broadest range of mechanical properties as characterized in oscillatory shear, uniaxial extension, and unconfined compression. Compositional and intrinsic viscosity analyses suggest that the enhanced polymerization potential of PSC may be attributed to its unique oligomer composition. Collectively, this work demonstrates the importance of standardizing next generation collagen formulations based upon polymerization potential and provides preliminary insight into the contribution of oligomers to collagen polymerization properties.

Prediction of bending stiffness and deformed shape of non-axially compressed microtubule by a semi-analytical approach

The bending stiffness of a microtubule is one of the most important parameters needed in the analysis of microtubule deformation. In this study, a semi-analytical approach is developed to predict the bending stiffness and deformed shape of a non-axially compressed microtubule in an explicit closed form. By using the solution presented in this paper and the experimentally observed values given in the literature, both the deformed configuration and bending stiffness of a single microtubule are determined. The proposed method is validated by comparing the obtained results with available data in the literature. The comparison shows that the present semi-analytical formulation provides the same accuracy with reduced numerical effort.

Prestressed nuclear organization in living cells

The nucleus is maintained in a prestressed state within eukaryotic cells, stabilized mechanically by chromatin structure and other nuclear components on its inside, and cytoskeletal components on its outside. Nuclear architecture is emerging to be critical to the governance of chromatin assembly, regulation of genome function and cellular homeostasis. Elucidating the prestressed organization of the nucleus is thus important to understand how the nuclear architecture impinges on its function. In this chapter, various chemical and mechanical methods have been described to probe the prestressed organization of the nucleus.

Boundary stiffness regulates fibroblast behavior in collagen gels

Recent studies have illustrated the profound dependence of cellular behavior on the stiffness of 2D culture substrates. The goal of this study was to develop a method to alter the stiffness cells experience in a standard 3D collagen gel model without affecting the physiochemical properties of the extracellular matrix. A device was developed utilizing compliant anchors (0.048-0.64 N m(-1)) to tune the boundary stiffness of suspended collagen gels in between the commonly utilized free and fixed conditions (zero and infinite stiffness boundary stiffness). We demonstrate the principle of operation with finite element analyses and a wide range of experimental studies. In all cases, boundary stiffness has a strong influence on cell behavior, most notably eliciting higher basal tension and activated force (in response to KCl) and more pronounced remodeling of the collagen matrix at higher boundary stiffness levels. Measured equibiaxial forces for gels seeded with 3 million human foreskin fibroblasts range from 0.05 to 1 mN increasing monotonically with boundary stiffness. Estimated force per cell ranges from 17 to 100 nN utilizing representative volume element analysis. This device provides a valuable tool to independently study the effect of the mechanical environment of the cell in a 3D collagen matrix.

Proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of human bone marrow stromal cells on hydroxyapatite/bacterial cellulose nanocomposite scaffolds

In this study, we prepared hydroxyapatite/bacterial cellulose (HAp/BC) nanocomposite scaffolds utilizing the biomimetic technique, and investigated the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of stromal cells derived from human bone marrow (hBMSC) on them. Scanning electron microscopy proved that cells could adhere and spread on scaffolds. The hBMSC seeded on the nanocomposites exhibited better adhesion and activity than those seeded upon the pure BC. After 6 days of culture on scaffolds, the cells proliferated faster on the nanocomposites than on the pure BC, as assessed by Alamar Blue assay. Real-time reverse transcription PCR results showed that the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of hBMSC and the expression of osteopontin, osteocalcin, bone sialoprotein, and ALP mRNA were all higher for up to 7 days for hBMSC cultured on the nanocomposites than for those cultured upon the pure BC with and without the presence of osteogenic supplements (L-ascorbic acid, glycerophosphate, and dexamethasone, p<0.05). These results suggest that the attachment, proliferation, and differentiation in cultured hBMSC can be modulated by the HAp/BC nanocomposite scaffold properties. In summary, we have developed a scaffold that displays in vitro biocompatibility, which may have potential use for bone tissue engineering.