Ursolic acid incorporated nanofibers improves chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. (12th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gohari, Zahra; Baghaei, Ahmadali; Mahboudi, Hossein; Hashemi, Javad; Rahmati, Mohammad; Islami, Maryam; Mansouri, Vahid
• Is Part Of: Polymers for advanced technologies. Volume 33:Number 12(2022)
• Page Start: 3988
• Page End: 3996
• Publication Date: 2022-08-12
• Subjects: cartilage tissue‐engineering -- electrospun nanofibers -- mesenchymal stem cells -- Ursolic acid; Polymers -- Periodicals; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1002/pat.5830
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1042-7147

Abstract

Abstract: Cartilage injuries and osteoarthritis are among the most common problems of the elderly in the world, and common treatments are limited to relieving pain. Today, tissue‐engineering is one of the most important hopes of finding a cure to overcome these problems. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the potential impact of Ursolic acid (UA) blended with electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds fabricated by polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly(L‐lactic acid) (PLLA) on the chondrogenesis capacity of the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Characterization results of the scaffolds revealed that the hydrophilicity and biocompatibility of the PCL‐PLLA nanofibers increased significantly and therefore MSCs attachment and proliferation improved in comparison with empty nanofibers. In addition, differentiation evaluation was also indicated that the expression level of chondrogenic‐related genes was increased significantly in MSCs differentiated on the PCL‐PLLA‐UA nanofibers compared to the differentiated cells on the PCL‐PLLA nanofibers. Alcian blue staining was also revealed that glycosaminoglycans production was amplified significantly in the cells differentiated on the PCL‐PLLA‐UA nanofibers. Fibronectin protein expression that is an important pre‐cartilage condensation marker was also increased in MSCs differentiated on the UA containing scaffold. In summary, the results indicated a significant improvement in the chondrogenic differentiation potential of the MSCs when differentiated on the PCL‐PLLA‐UA nanofibers. It can be concluded that this cell‐scaffold combination can be suggested as potential candidate for cartilage tissue‐engineering applications.