Increase in gap-junctional intercellular communications (GJIC) of normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) on surfaces coated with high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (HMW HA)

Adhesion, phenotypic expression, and biosynthetic capacity of corneal keratocytes on surfaces coated with hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights

In ophthalmology, hyaluronic acid (HA) is an important extracellular matrix (ECM) component and is appropriate for use in generating a microenvironment for cell cultivation. The aim of this work was to evaluate the rabbit corneal keratocyte (RCK) growth in response to HA coatings under serum-free conditions. After modification with HA of varying molecular weights (MWs: 35-1500kDa), the surfaces were characterized by atomic force microscopy and contact angle measurements, and were used for cell culture studies. Our data indicated that the substrates coated with higher negatively charged HA become rougher and are more hydrophilic, resulting in the decrease of cell adhesion and cell-matrix interaction. This early cellular event was likely responsible for the determination of keratocyte configuration. Additionally, for the growth of RCKs on dry HA coatings with surface roughness of 1.1-1.7 nm, a strong cell-cell interaction was observed, which may facilitate the formation of multicellular spheroid aggregates and maintenance of mitotically quiescent state. At each culture time point from 1 to 5 days, a better biosynthetic capacity associated with a higher prevalence of elevated ECM production was found for the cells in a spherical configuration. Irrespective of polysaccharide MW of surface coatings, the RCKs presented good viability without hypoxia-induced death. As compared with a monolayer of adherent keratocytes on tissue culture polystyrene plates and low MW HA-modified samples, the cell spheroids (76-110 μm in diameter) showed significantly higher expressions of keratocan and lumican and lower expressions of biglycan, similar to those of keratocytes in vivo. Moreover, the expression levels of corneal crystallin aldehyde dehydrogenase (7-9-fold increase) and nestin (10-16-fold increase) were greater in larger-sized spheroids, indicating higher ability to maintain cellular transparency and self-renewal potential. It is concluded that the cultured RCKs on surfaces coated with HA of different MWs can sense ECM cues, and the multicellular spheroids may potentially be used for corneal stromal tissue engineering applications.

Biocompatibility of chemically cross-linked gelatin hydrogels for ophthalmic use

Biocompatibility is a major requirement for the development of functional biomaterials for ophthalmic applications. In this study, we investigated the effect of cross-linker functionality on ocular biocompatibility of chemically modified gelatin hydrogels. The test materials were cross-linked with glutaraldehyde (GTA) or 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC), and were analyzed using in vitro and in vivo assays. Primary rat iris pigment epithelial cultures were incubated with various gelatin discs for 2 days, and the cellular responses were monitored by cell proliferation, viability, and pro-inflammatory gene and cytokine expression. The results demonstrated that the cells exposed to EDC cross-linked gelatins had relatively lower lactate dehydrogenase activity, cytotoxicity, and interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels than did those to GTA treated samples. In addition, the gelatin implants were inserted in the anterior chamber of rabbit eyes for 12 weeks and characterized by clinical observations and scanning electron microscopy studies. The EDC cross-linked gelatin hydrogels exhibited good biocompatibility and were well tolerated without causing toxicity and adverse effects. However, a significant inflammatory reaction was elicited by the presence of GTA treated materials. It was noted that, despite its biocompatibility, the potential application of non-cross-linked gelatin for local delivery of cell and drug therapeutics would be limited due to rapid dissolution in aqueous environments. In conclusion, these findings suggest ocular cell/tissue response to changes in cross-linker properties. In comparison to GTA treatment, the EDC cross-linking is more suitable for preparation of chemically modified gelatin hydrogels for ophthalmic use.

Protein adsorption on derivatives of hyaluronic acid and subsequent cellular response

The modulation of biological interactions with artificial surfaces is a vital aspect of biomaterials research. Serum protein adsorption onto photoreactive hyaluronic acid (Hyal-N(3)) and its sulfated derivative (HyalS-N(3)) was analyzed to determine extent of protein interaction and protein conformation as well as subsequent cell adhesion. There were no significant (p < 0.01) differences in the amount of protein adsorbed to the two polymers; however, proteins were found to be more loosely bound on HyalS-N(3) compared with Hyal-N(3). Fibronectin was adsorbed onto HyalS-N(3) in such an orientation as to allow the availability of the cell binding region, while there was more restricted access to this region on fibronectin adsorbed onto Hyal-N(3). This was confirmed by reduced cell adhesion on fibronectin precoated Hyal-N(3) compared with fibronectin precoated HyalS-N(3). Minimal cell adhesion was observed on albumin and serum precoated Hyal-N(3). The quartz crystal microbalance confirmed that specific cell-surface interactions were experienced by cells interacting with the fibronectin precoated polymers and serum precoated HyalS-N(3).

Self-organization of the compositional gradient structure in hyaluronic acid and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) blend film

A compositional gradient structure in hyaluronic acid (HA) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PIPAAm) blend film was self-organized from a homogeneous aqueous solution in a plasma-treated polystyrene dish (PTPSD), and the formation mechanisms of the gradient structure were studied by casting the same solution on PTPSD and a non-treated polystyrene dish (NTPSD) under ambient and vacuum conditions. The formation of a compositional gradient structure in HA/PIPAAm blend film was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) mapping analysis and step-scan photoacoustic Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (PAS-FT-IR) measurements. The EDX mapping measurements for Na element revealed that the HA component gradually decreases from the dish-side to the air-side of the film cast on PTPSD, while for the film cast on NTPSD no such obvious change was observed on the cross-section. Further studies on the films prepared on PTPSD and NPTPSD under ambient and vacuum conditions demonstrated that the hydrophilic interaction and the solvent evaporation rate were the most significant factors leading to the formation of a compositional gradient structure in the HA/PIPAAm blend system.

Hyaluronan-dependent pericellular matrix

Hyaluronan is a multifunctional glycosaminoglycan that forms the structural basis of the pericellular matrix. Hyaluronan is extruded directly through the plasma membrane by one of three hyaluronan synthases and anchored to the cell surface by the synthase or cell surface receptors such as CD44 or RHAMM. Aggregating proteoglycans and other hyaluronan-binding proteins, contribute to the material and biological properties of the matrix and regulate cell and tissue function. The pericellular matrix plays multiple complex roles in cell adhesion/de-adhesion, and cell shape changes associated with proliferation and locomotion. Time-lapse studies show that pericellular matrix formation facilitates cell detachment and mitotic cell rounding. Hyaluronan crosslinking occurs through various proteins, such as tenascin, TSG-6, inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor, pentraxin and TSP-1. This creates higher order levels of structured hyaluronan that may regulate inflammation and other biological processes. Microvillous or filopodial membrane protrusions are created by active hyaluronan synthesis, and form the scaffold of hyaluronan coats in certain cells. The importance of the pericellular matrix in cellular mechanotransduction and the response to mechanical strain are also discussed.

Markedly different effects of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate-A on the differentiation of human articular chondrocytes in micromass and 3-D honeycomb rotation cultures

A source of morphologically and functionally available human cartilagenous tissue for implantation is required in the field of tissue engineering. To achieve this goal, we evaluated the effects of hyaluronic acid (HA-810 and 1680 kDa), and chondroitin sulfate (CS-A 16 and C-34 kDa) on human articular chondrocytes (HC) in micromass and rotation culture conditions. Cell proliferation was increased by CS-A 16 kDa under micromass and rotation cultures, while cell differentiation was increased under rotation but not micromass conditions. Proliferation and differentiation due to CS-C 34 kDa were very similar to the control under both culture conditions. With HA, cell proliferation was increased depending on the molecular weight under micromass and rotation conditions. In contrast, chondrocyte differentiation was enhanced under rotation conditions, but decreased under micromass conditions depending on the molecular weight of HA. In both culture conditions, aggrecan gene was continuously expressed. However, the collagen type II gene was more weakly expressed in rotation than the micromass culture conditions. Thus, the chemical structures of polysaccharides, and the culture condition, rotation or micromass, caused differences in chondrogenesis.

Hyaluronic acid production and CD44 expression in cultured dermal fibroblasts of patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with and without chronic ulcers on the lower extremity

It is well known that hyaluronic acid and its principal receptor, CD44, are implicated in the regulation of the tissue repair process, but their role in the formation of chronic diabetic ulcers has not been studied. Hyaluronic acid metabolism and CD44 expression are regulated by lactate, where their increased production is considered to affect the properties of fibroblasts in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The aim of our work was to investigate the possible role of hyaluronic acid and CD44, and their regulation by lactate, in the abnormal wound healing of diabetes. Fibroblasts were derived from uninjured skin from four non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients with ulcers and four without ulcers; and from four healthy age-matched volunteers. We observed that diabetic fibroblasts of both groups produced more L-lactate ( approximately 30%) and incorporated more (3)H-glucosamine into the medium hyaluronic acid ( approximately 28%) than controls. Fibroblasts of the diabetic group with ulcers, unlike those of the group without ulcers, showed significant increases in the high molecular weight hyaluronic acid accumulation in the pericellular matrix (30.5%, p < 0.01) and CD44 expression (27.0%, p < 0.05). Exogenous L-lactate dose-dependently, and equally for all fibroblasts lines, stimulated the accumulation of medium hyaluronic acid (3.7-fold) and CD44 expression (1.5-fold). However, fibroblasts from diabetic patients with ulcers were more (1.4-fold) sensitive to L-lactate in terms of CD44 expression, and responded to L-lactate by the increased accumulation of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid in the pericellular matrix (32.1%, p < 0.01). We propose that specific properties of fibroblasts from diabetic patients with ulcers may be involved in the increased susceptibility of these patients to chronic ulceration.

Effects of multipurpose solutions (MPS) for hydrogel contact lenses on gap-junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in rabbit corneal keratocytes

To ensure the effects of multipurpose solutions (MPS) for hydrogel contact lenses on the cornea, the inhibitory activity of three types of MPS on corneal cells has been evaluated with the use of scrape loading and dye transfer assay (SLDT assay) and Western blotting on rabbit corneal keratocytes (RC4). In SLDT assay, MPS-A and poloxamine showed dose-dependent inhibitory activity, suggesting the inhibitory action of MPS-A and poloxamine to gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in the tested cells. Moreover, after treatment with MPS-A, the GJIC was initially inhibited within 4 h, and thereafter gradually turned to an approximately 60% level of the initial value. When MPS-A was removed from the incubation media after exposure of the cells, the recovery of GJIC was time dependent and returned to approximately initial levels at 8 h. Complete recovery was established after approximately 24 h. These findings suggested that the inhibitory action of MPS-A on corneal keratocytes was reversible. This inhibition was accompanied by a decrease in the quantity of connexin-43, which is a major protein constituting the gap junctional channel of these cells, and its change in the phosphorylation state. Taken together, it was suggested that MPS-A interacts with connexin-43, inducing an inhibitory action on GJIC.

Increase in gap junctional intercellular communication by high molecular weight hyaluronic acid associated with fibroblast growth factor 2 and keratinocyte growth factor production in normal human dermal fibroblasts

The effects of different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid (HA), a major component of extracellular matrix, on gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF cells) were investigated. NHDF cells were cultured for 4 days with different molecular weights of HA and then the extent of GJIC was assessed by the scrape-loading dye transfer method, using Lucifer yellow. The area of dye transfer was greater in the dishes coated with HA than in those to which HA was added. Thus, NHDF cells cultured on surfaces coated with high molecular weight (HMW) HA (MW, 800 kDa) showed greatly enhanced GJIC. Furthermore, another aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different molecular weights of HA on the production of FGF-2 and KGF, because both are important cytokines produced by NHDF cells. When FGF-2 and KGF cultured levels of cell extracts and media were determined by ELISA, both levels were significantly enhanced when cells were grown on plates coated with HMW HA. This finding indicated that the function of gap junction channels in NHDF cells grown on plates coated with HMW HA may promote the biosynthesis of growth factors such as FGF-2 and KGF.