Osteogenic Differentiation and Ectopic Bone Formation of Canine Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Injectable Thermo-Responsive Polymer Hydrogel

This study describes an injectable, thermo-responsive hyaluronic acid-g-chitosan-g-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (HA-CPN) copolymer for bone tissue engineering. The wettability, temperature-dependent change of water content, and volume of HA-CPN hydrogel were measured, together with its biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo. The dried hydrogel morphology shows a three-dimensional, porous structure with interconnected pores. Canine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (cBMSCs) were encapsulated in HA-CPN hydrogel and osteoinduction was assessed by comparing samples with different osteogenic differentiation induction times but with the same total cell culture time. Cell proliferation and time-dependent osteogenic differentiation, evident from secretion of extracellular matrix and formation of mineral deposits, were observed. The cells showed better proliferation in HA-CPN hydrogel than on tissue culture polystyrene after osteo-induced for 21 days and higher alkaline phosphatase activity regardless of osteo-induction times. Mineralization extent of cBMSCs in HA-CPN followed by Alizarin red stains showed positive stained nodules after osteo-induced longer than 7 days. The cells/hydrogel construct also showed increased mechanical strength and elasticity after osteogenic differentiation, and the increase could be correlated with osteo-induction time. In vivo studies confirmed the biocompatibility and bioresorption of the HA-CPN hydrogel and ectopic bone formation when the hydrogel was used as a cell carrier for osteo-induced cBMSCs and implanted in nude mice subcutaneously. Taken together, the results indicate the feasibility and efficacy of HA-CPN hydrogel as an injectable bone tissue engineering scaffold with cBMSCs.