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BMP7-Based Functionalized Self-Assembling Peptides Protect Nucleus Pulposus-Derived Stem Cells From Apoptosis In Vitro
- Source :
- Tissue Engineering: Part A; October 2016, Vol. 22 Issue: 19-20 p1218-1228, 11p
- Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- Tissue engineering has shown great success in the treatment of intervertebral disk degeneration (IVDD) in the past decade. However, the adverse and harsh microenvironment associated in the intervertebral disks remains a great obstacle for the survival of transplanted cells. Although increasing numbers of new materials have been created or modified to overcome this hurdle, a new effective strategy of biological therapy is still required. In this study, bone morphogenic protein 7 (BMP7)-based functionalized self-assembling peptides were developed by conjugating a bioactive motif from BMP-7 (RKPS) onto the C-terminal of the peptide RADARADARADARADA (RADA16-I) at a ratio of 1:1 to form a new RADARKPS peptide. Human nucleus pulposus-derived stem cells (NPDCs) were cultured in the presence of RADA-RKPS or RADA16-I in an apoptosis-promoting environment that was induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and cells were cultured with RADA16-I in normal medium that served as the control group. After 48 h of apoptosis induction, the viability, proliferation, apoptosis rate, and expression of apoptosis-related genes of NPDCs in the different groups were evaluated, and the differentiation of NPDCs toward nucleus pulposus-like cells was tested. The results showed that the RADA-RKPS peptide could significantly protect the survival and proliferation of NPDCs. In addition, the application of RADA-RKPS decreased the rate of cell apoptosis, as detected by TUNEL-positive staining. Furthermore, our in vitrostudy confirmed the apoptosis-protecting effects of RADA-RKPS peptides, which significantly reduced the BAX/BCL-2 ratio of NPDCs and upregulated the gene expression of collagen II a1, aggrecan, and Sox-9 after 48 h of apoptosis induction. Collectively, these lines of evidence suggest that RADA-RKPS peptides confer a protective effect to NPDCs in an apoptosis environment, suggesting their potential application in the development of new biological treatment strategies for IVDD.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19373341 and 1937335X
- Volume :
- 22
- Issue :
- 19-20
- Database :
- Supplemental Index
- Journal :
- Tissue Engineering: Part A
- Publication Type :
- Periodical
- Accession number :
- ejs40237854
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1089/ten.tea.2016.0230