Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are currently being used as a promising tool for bone tissue engineering. The application of these stem cells to bone tissue engineering requires inducing in vitro differentiation of these cells to bone forming cells; osteoblasts. Retinoic acid (RA), a metabolite of vitamin A, is involved in many cell functions including osteogenic differentiation. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential role of retinoic acid as an inducer of osteogenic differentiation in human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUMSCs).This was done by exploring its applications in bone tissue engineering, specifically for the repair and regeneration of craniofacial bony defects. Stem cells were obtained from Sciencell (Carlsbad, CA) and cultured under appropriate conditions. Cells grown up to 70-80% confluency were treated with increasing doses of RA (0.5, 1 and 2μM). The gene expression of osteogenic markers was examined by RT-PCR. Alkaline phosphatase activity was determined at 1, 2 and 3 weeks intervals. Cell proliferation was significantly decreased in the cells exposed to RA at all concentrations. The expression of osteogenic marker genes was downregulated by RA in dose dependent manner. Lastly, matrix mineralization was not observed in hUMSCs, suggesting that RA does not support osteogenic differentiation of these cells.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Umadevi Kandalam, Dr. Paul Arena
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-13-2012 1:00 PM
End Date
4-13-2012 5:30 PM
Effect of Retinoic Acid on Osteogenesis of Human Umbilical-Cord Stem Cells
Alvin Sherman Library
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are currently being used as a promising tool for bone tissue engineering. The application of these stem cells to bone tissue engineering requires inducing in vitro differentiation of these cells to bone forming cells; osteoblasts. Retinoic acid (RA), a metabolite of vitamin A, is involved in many cell functions including osteogenic differentiation. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential role of retinoic acid as an inducer of osteogenic differentiation in human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUMSCs).This was done by exploring its applications in bone tissue engineering, specifically for the repair and regeneration of craniofacial bony defects. Stem cells were obtained from Sciencell (Carlsbad, CA) and cultured under appropriate conditions. Cells grown up to 70-80% confluency were treated with increasing doses of RA (0.5, 1 and 2μM). The gene expression of osteogenic markers was examined by RT-PCR. Alkaline phosphatase activity was determined at 1, 2 and 3 weeks intervals. Cell proliferation was significantly decreased in the cells exposed to RA at all concentrations. The expression of osteogenic marker genes was downregulated by RA in dose dependent manner. Lastly, matrix mineralization was not observed in hUMSCs, suggesting that RA does not support osteogenic differentiation of these cells.
