The Effect of Addition of Calcium Phosphate Particles to Hydrogel-Based Composite Materials on Stiffness and Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells toward Osteogenesis

The stiffness of a hydrogel has a significant role on the mechanical stability of a scaffold. However, the stiffness of pure hydrogels can be tuned only within a limited range. Herein, it is hypothesized that the range of hydrogel stiffness can be greatly increased by the addition of calcium phosphate particles and that such composites promote the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Beta-tricalcium phosphate (-TCP) particles are incorporated at concentrations of 0.5 and 5 mg mL(-1) into various agarose and agarose-collagen blends. These composites are characterized with respect to stiffness, viscosity, degradation, cell morphology, viability, and osteogenesis. The osteogenic hMSCs in less stiff composites with 0.5 mg mL(-1) -TCP show the highest alkaline phosphatase expression compared to blends without -TCP and stiffer composites with 5 mg mL(-1) -TCP. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction also shows higher expression of ALP, RUNX2, and collagen I by hMSCs in less stiff composites with 0.5 mg mL(-1) -TCP compared to blends without -TCP and stiffer composite blends. It is concluded that by addition of calcium phosphate to specific hydrogels the stiffness can be tuned in a desired range and thus the osteogenic differentiation of embedded hMSCs can be better controlled and adjusted compared to pure hydrogels.