Nanocomposite Hydrogels as Platform for Cells Growth, Proliferation, and Chemotaxis

• Published in: Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) Vol. 12; no. 35; pp. 4881 - 4893
• Main Authors: Fiorini, Federica, Prasetyanto, Eko Adi, Taraballi, Francesca, Pandolfi, Laura, Monroy, Francisco, López-Montero, Iván, Tasciotti, Ennio, De Cola, Luisa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.09.2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Animals; Biocompatibility; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Bone Marrow Cells - cytology; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Chemokine CXCL12 - pharmacology; chemotaxis; Chemotaxis - drug effects; hydrogel; Hydrogels; Hydrogels - chemistry; In vitro testing; in vivo implant; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells - cytology; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells - drug effects; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells - metabolism; mesoporous particles; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Nanocomposites; Nanocomposites - chemistry; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanoparticles - ultrastructure; Nanotechnology; Porosity; Rheology; Scaffolds; Silicon Dioxide - chemistry; Stem cells; Surgical implants; in vivo implant; hydrogel; nanocomposites; chemotaxis; mesoporous particles
• ISSN: 1613-6810; 1613-6829
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.201601017

The challenge of mimicking the extracellular matrix with artificial scaffolds that are able to reduce immunoresponse is still unmet. Recent findings have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) infiltrating into the implanted scaffold have effects on the implant integration by improving the healing process. Toward this aim, a novel polyamidoamine‐based nanocomposite hydrogel is synthesized, cross‐linked with porous nanomaterials (i.e., mesoporous silica nanoparticles), able to release chemokine proteins. A comprehensive viscoelasticity study confirms that the hydrogel provides optimal structural support for MSC infiltration and proliferation. The efficiency of this hydrogel, containing the chemoattractant stromal cell‐derived factor 1α (SDF‐1α), in promoting MSC migration in vitro is demonstrated. Finally, subcutaneous implantation of SDF‐1α‐releasing hydrogels in mice results in a modulation of the inflammatory reaction. Overall, the proposed SDF‐1α‐nanocomposite hydrogel proves to have potential for applications in tissue engineering. A nanocomposite hydrogel able to induce in vitro chemotaxis of stem cells is reported. Its biocompatibility and low inflammatory response have been tested in vivo, demonstrating the potentiality of the material as an artificial implant.