Mesenchymal Stem Cell Plasticity: What Role Do Culture Conditions and Substrates Play in Shaping Biomechanical Signatures?

Cell functionality, driven by remarkable plasticity, is strongly influenced by mechanical forces that regulate mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) fate. This study explores the biomechanical properties of jaw periosteal cells (JPCs) and induced mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs) under different culture conditio...

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Main Authors: Marina Danalache, Lena Karin Gaa, Charline Burgun, Felix Umrath, Andreas Naros, Dorothea Alexander
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Bioengineering
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/11/12/1282
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author Marina Danalache
Lena Karin Gaa
Charline Burgun
Felix Umrath
Andreas Naros
Dorothea Alexander
author_facet Marina Danalache
Lena Karin Gaa
Charline Burgun
Felix Umrath
Andreas Naros
Dorothea Alexander
author_sort Marina Danalache
collection DOAJ
description Cell functionality, driven by remarkable plasticity, is strongly influenced by mechanical forces that regulate mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) fate. This study explores the biomechanical properties of jaw periosteal cells (JPCs) and induced mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs) under different culture conditions. We cultured both JPCs and iMSCs (n = 3) under normoxic and hypoxic environments, with and without osteogenic differentiation, and on laminin- or gelatin-coated substrates. Using atomic force microscopy, we measured cellular elasticity and Young’s modulus of calcium phosphate precipitates (CaPPs) formed under osteogenic conditions. Correlation analyses between cellular stiffness, quantity of CaPP deposition, and stiffness of formed CaPPs were evaluated. The results showed that iMSCs, despite their softer cellular consistency, tended to form CaPPs of higher elastic moduli than osteogenically differentiated JPCs. Particularly under normoxic conditions, JPCs formed stronger CaPPs with lower cellular stiffness profiles. Conversely, iMSCs cultivated under hypoxic conditions on laminin-coated surfaces produced stronger CaPPs while maintaining lower cellular stiffness. We conclude that JPCs and iMSCs display distinct biomechanical responses to culture conditions. While JPCs increase cellular stiffness during osteogenic differentiation, in particular under hypoxic conditions, iMSCs exhibit a decrease in stiffness, indicating a higher resistance to lower oxygen levels. In both cell types, a lower cellular stiffness profile correlates with enhanced mineralization, indicating that this biomechanical fingerprint serves as a critical marker for osteogenic differentiation.
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spelling doaj-art-9faf1cf7409f4e8180151a59799c074e2025-08-20T02:56:05ZengMDPI AGBioengineering2306-53542024-12-011112128210.3390/bioengineering11121282Mesenchymal Stem Cell Plasticity: What Role Do Culture Conditions and Substrates Play in Shaping Biomechanical Signatures?Marina Danalache0Lena Karin Gaa1Charline Burgun2Felix Umrath3Andreas Naros4Dorothea Alexander5Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, 72072 Tübingen, GermanyDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, GermanyDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, GermanyDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, GermanyDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, GermanyDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, GermanyCell functionality, driven by remarkable plasticity, is strongly influenced by mechanical forces that regulate mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) fate. This study explores the biomechanical properties of jaw periosteal cells (JPCs) and induced mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs) under different culture conditions. We cultured both JPCs and iMSCs (n = 3) under normoxic and hypoxic environments, with and without osteogenic differentiation, and on laminin- or gelatin-coated substrates. Using atomic force microscopy, we measured cellular elasticity and Young’s modulus of calcium phosphate precipitates (CaPPs) formed under osteogenic conditions. Correlation analyses between cellular stiffness, quantity of CaPP deposition, and stiffness of formed CaPPs were evaluated. The results showed that iMSCs, despite their softer cellular consistency, tended to form CaPPs of higher elastic moduli than osteogenically differentiated JPCs. Particularly under normoxic conditions, JPCs formed stronger CaPPs with lower cellular stiffness profiles. Conversely, iMSCs cultivated under hypoxic conditions on laminin-coated surfaces produced stronger CaPPs while maintaining lower cellular stiffness. We conclude that JPCs and iMSCs display distinct biomechanical responses to culture conditions. While JPCs increase cellular stiffness during osteogenic differentiation, in particular under hypoxic conditions, iMSCs exhibit a decrease in stiffness, indicating a higher resistance to lower oxygen levels. In both cell types, a lower cellular stiffness profile correlates with enhanced mineralization, indicating that this biomechanical fingerprint serves as a critical marker for osteogenic differentiation.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/11/12/1282mesenchymal stem cellsculture conditionmechanobiologylaminin and gelatin coatingscalcium phosphate precipitatesatomic force microscopy
spellingShingle Marina Danalache
Lena Karin Gaa
Charline Burgun
Felix Umrath
Andreas Naros
Dorothea Alexander
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Plasticity: What Role Do Culture Conditions and Substrates Play in Shaping Biomechanical Signatures?
Bioengineering
mesenchymal stem cells
culture condition
mechanobiology
laminin and gelatin coatings
calcium phosphate precipitates
atomic force microscopy
title Mesenchymal Stem Cell Plasticity: What Role Do Culture Conditions and Substrates Play in Shaping Biomechanical Signatures?
title_full Mesenchymal Stem Cell Plasticity: What Role Do Culture Conditions and Substrates Play in Shaping Biomechanical Signatures?
title_fullStr Mesenchymal Stem Cell Plasticity: What Role Do Culture Conditions and Substrates Play in Shaping Biomechanical Signatures?
title_full_unstemmed Mesenchymal Stem Cell Plasticity: What Role Do Culture Conditions and Substrates Play in Shaping Biomechanical Signatures?
title_short Mesenchymal Stem Cell Plasticity: What Role Do Culture Conditions and Substrates Play in Shaping Biomechanical Signatures?
title_sort mesenchymal stem cell plasticity what role do culture conditions and substrates play in shaping biomechanical signatures
topic mesenchymal stem cells
culture condition
mechanobiology
laminin and gelatin coatings
calcium phosphate precipitates
atomic force microscopy
url https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/11/12/1282
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