PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

David L Kaplan

Publications and source records attributed to David L Kaplan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Matrix-mediated retention of in vitro osteogenic differentiation potential and in vivo bone-forming capacity by human adult bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells during ex vivo expansion.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent an attractive cell source for tissue engineering applications, since they are readily isolated from adult bone marrow and have the ability to differentiate along multiple mesenchymal lineages, including osteogenic. Currently, utilization of MSCs for bone tissue engineering is limited because of the attenuation of their osteogenic differentiation potential and in vivo bone-forming capacity following ex vivo expansion on conventional tissue culture plastic (TCP). Previously, we demonstrated that a denatured type I collagen (DC) matrix promotes the maintenance of MSC in vitro osteogenic differentiation potential during ex vivo expansion in contrast to TCP. In this study, we further demonstrate that the maintenance of MSC osteogenic differentiation potential is primarily due to the ability of DC matrix to influence the retention of early passage osteogenic functions in late passage (LP) cells during ex vivo expansion, in contrast to solely enhancing attenuated LP cellular functions during osteogenic differentiation. Serum-associated factors played a significant role in influencing the retention of MSC osteogenic differentiation potential during expansion on the DC matrix. Significantly, the results show that although LP cells expanded ex vivo on TCP highly attentuate their in vivo bone-forming capacity, the expansion of MSCs on DC matrix preserves this ability as determined by histological, histomorphometric, and bone mineral density evaluations of MSC-seeded hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate scaffolds following an 8-week implantation period within a heterotopic muscle pouch model. These findings provide further insight into the importance of matrix-mediated effects on MSC function and selective factors important in this process.

Adult Stem Cells↗

Silk microspheres for encapsulation and controlled release.

A method was developed to prepare silk fibroin microspheres using lipid vesicles as templates to efficiently load protein drugs in active form for controlled release. The lipid was subsequently removed by methanol or sodium chloride treatments, resulting in silk microspheres consisting of beta-sheet structure and about 2 mum in diameter. NaCl treated microspheres had smoother surfaces compared to the methanol treatments based on SEM analysis, and both types of microspheres had a mixture of multilamellar and unilamellar structures. A model protein drug, horseradish peroxidase, was encapsulated in the microspheres. Freeze-thaw cycles during preparation led to higher loading of the peroxidase due to improved mixing between the silk and drug, while without this process the drug and silk remained in separate layers or domains in microspheres. This partitioning was determined with fluorescein-labeled silk and rhodamine-labeled dextran. Small molecules such as the enzyme substrate 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine, Mw=240 Da, and its oxidized product freely diffused through the MeOH- and NaCl-processed silk microspheres so that enzyme loading and activity could be determined. Enzyme activity was retained during processing and in the final microspheres. The enzyme release profile depended on the NaCl-process used in microsphere preparation. The physically cross-linked beta-sheet structure of silk fibroin and the residual lipids in the microspheres played important roles in controlling enzyme release profiles. The silk microspheres have the potential for diverse applications where controlled protein release from biocompatible, mechanically tough, and slowly biodegradable carriers is desirable.

Delayed-Action Preparations↗

Control of in vitro tissue-engineered bone-like structures using human mesenchymal stem cells and porous silk scaffolds.

Natural bone consists of cortical and trabecular morphologies, the latter having variable pore sizes. This study aims at engineering different bone-like structures using scaffolds with small pores (112-224 microm) in diameter on one side and large pores (400-500 microm) on the other, while keeping scaffold porosities constant among groups. We hypothesized that tissue engineered bone-like structure resulting from silk fibroin (SF) implants is pre-determined by the scaffolds' geometry. To test this hypothesis, SF scaffolds with different pore diameters were prepared and seeded with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). As compared to static seeding, dynamic cell seeding in spinner flasks resulted in equal cell viability and proliferation, and better cell distribution throughout the scaffold as visualized by histology and confocal microscopy, and was, therefore, selected for subsequent differentiation studies. Differentiation of hMSC in osteogenic cell culture medium in spinner flasks for 3 and 5 weeks resulted in increased alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposition when compared to control medium. Micro-computed tomography (microCT) detailed the pore structures of the newly formed tissue and suggested that the structure of tissue-engineered bone was controlled by the underlying scaffold geometry.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Mechanisms of silk fibroin sol-gel transitions.

Silk fibroin sol-gel transitions were studied by monitoring the process under various physicochemical conditions with optical spectroscopy at 550 nm. The secondary structural change of the fibroin from a disordered state in solution to a beta-sheet-rich conformation in the gel state was assessed by FTIR and CD over a range of fibroin concentrations, temperatures, and pH values. The structural changes were correlated to the degree of gelation based on changes in optical density at 550 nm. No detectable changes in the protein secondary structure (FTIR, CD) were found up to about 15% gelation (at 550 nm), indicating that these early stages of gelation are not accompanied by the formation of beta-sheets. Above 15%, the fraction of beta-sheet linearly increased with the degree of gelation. A pH dependency of gelation time was found with correlation to the predominant acidic side chains in the silk. Electrostatic interactions were related to the rate of gelation above neutral pH. The overall independencies of processing parameters including concentration, temperature, and pH on gel formation and protein structure can be related to primary sequence-specific features in the molecular organization of the fibroin protein. These findings clarify aspects of the self-assembly of this unique family of proteins as a route to gain control of material properties, as well as for new insight into the design of synthetic silk-biomimetic polymers with predictable solution and assembly properties.

Fibroins↗

Extracellular matrix remodeling--methods to quantify cell-matrix interactions.

Tissue turnover during wound healing, regeneration or integration of biomedical materials depends on the rate and extent of materials trafficking into and out of cells involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. To exploit these processes, we report the first model for matrix trafficking in which these issues are quantitatively assessed for cells grown on both native collagen (normal tissue) and denatured collagen (wound state) substrates. Human fibroblasts more rapidly remodeled denatured versus normal collagen type I to form new ECM. Fluxes to and from the cells from the collagen substrates and the formation of new ECM were quantified using radioactively labeled substrates. The model can be employed for the systematic and quantitative study of the impact of a broad range of physiological factors and disease states on tissue remodeling, integrating extracellular matrix structures and cell biology.

Cell Communication↗

Stem cell-based tissue engineering with silk biomaterials.

Silks are naturally occurring polymers that have been used clinically as sutures for centuries. When naturally extruded from insects or worms, silk is composed of a filament core protein, termed fibroin, and a glue-like coating consisting of sericin proteins. In recent years, silk fibroin has been increasingly studied for new biomedical applications due to the biocompatibility, slow degradability and remarkable mechanical properties of the material. In addition, the ability to now control molecular structure and morphology through versatile processability and surface modification options have expanded the utility for this protein in a range of biomaterial and tissue-engineering applications. Silk fibroin in various formats (films, fibers, nets, meshes, membranes, yarns, and sponges) has been shown to support stem cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation in vitro and promote tissue repair in vivo. In particular, stem cell-based tissue engineering using 3D silk fibroin scaffolds has expanded the use of silk-based biomaterials as promising scaffolds for engineering a range of skeletal tissues like bone, ligament, and cartilage, as well as connective tissues like skin. To date fibroin from Bombyx mori silkworm has been the dominant source for silk-based biomaterials studied. However, silk fibroins from spiders and those formed via genetic engineering or the modification of native silk fibroin sequence chemistries are beginning to provide new options to further expand the utility of silk fibroin-based materials for medical applications.

Animals↗

Osteogenesis by human mesenchymal stem cells cultured on silk biomaterials: comparison of adenovirus mediated gene transfer and protein delivery of BMP-2.

Bone tissue engineering, gene therapy based on human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and silk fibroin biomaterials were combined to study the impact of viral transfection on MSC osteogenic performance in vitro. MSCs were transduced with adenovirus containing a human BMP-2 (Ad-BMP-2) gene at clinically reasonable viral concentrations and cultured for 4 weeks. Controls with nontransfected MSCs, but exposed to exogenous BMP-2 concentrations on an analogous time profile as that secreted by the Ad-BMP-2 group, were compared. Both the Ad-BMP-2 MSC group and the exogenous protein BMP-2 group strongly expressed osteopontin and bone sialoprotein. Cells secreted a matrix that underwent mineralization on the silk fibroin scaffolds, forming clusters of osseous material, as determined by micro-computed tomography. The expression of osteogenic marker proteins and alkaline phosphatase was significantly higher in the Ad-BMP-2 MSC group than in the exogenous protein BMP-2 group, and no significant differences in mineralization were observed in two of the three MSC sources tested. The results demonstrate that transfection resulted in higher levels of expression of osteogenic marker genes, no change in proliferation rate and did not impact the capacity of the cells to calcify tissues on these protein scaffolds. These findings suggest additional options to control differentiation where exogenous additions of growth factors or morphogens can be replaced with transfected MSCs.

Adenoviridae↗

Novel nanocomposites from spider silk-silica fusion (chimeric) proteins.

Silica skeletal architectures in diatoms are characterized by remarkable morphological and nanostructural details. Silk proteins from spiders and silkworms form strong and intricate self-assembling fibrous biomaterials in nature. We combined the features of silk with biosilica through the design, synthesis, and characterization of a novel family of chimeric proteins for subsequent use in model materials forming reactions. The domains from the major ampullate spidroin 1 (MaSp1) protein of Nephila clavipes spider dragline silk provide control over structural and morphological details because it can be self-assembled through diverse processing methods including film casting and fiber electrospinning. Biosilica nanostructures in diatoms are formed in aqueous ambient conditions at neutral pH and low temperatures. The R5 peptide derived from the silaffin protein of Cylindrotheca fusiformis induces and regulates silica precipitation in the chimeric protein designs under similar ambient conditions. Whereas mineralization reactions performed in the presence of R5 peptide alone form silica particles with a size distribution of 0.5-10 microm in diameter, reactions performed in the presence of the new fusion proteins generate nanocomposite materials containing silica particles with a narrower size distribution of 0.5-2 microm in diameter. Furthermore, we demonstrate that composite morphology and structure could be regulated by controlling processing conditions to produce films and fibers. These results suggest that the chimeric protein provides new options for processing and control over silica particle sizes, important benefits for biomedical and specialty materials, particularly in light of the all aqueous processing and the nanocomposite features of these new materials.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The support of adenosine release from adenosine kinase deficient ES cells by silk substrates.

Adenosine kinase deficient (Adk-/-) embryonic stem cells (ESCs) encapsulated in synthetic polymers have previously been shown to provide therapeutic adenosine release and transient seizure suppression in epileptic rats. Here we explored the utility of biopolymer-substrates to promote long-term adenosine release from Adk-/- ESCs. Three different substrates were studied: (1) type I collagen (Col-1), (2) silk-fibroin (SF), and (3) poly(L-ornithine) (PO) coated tissue culture plastic. Adk-/- or wild type (wt) ESC-derived glial precursor cells were seeded on the substrates and cultured either in proliferation medium containing growth factors or in differentiation medium devoid of growth factors. In proliferation medium cell proliferation was higher and metabolic activity lower on Col-1 and PO substrates as compared to SF. Cells from both genotypes readily differentiated into astrocytes after growth factor removal on all substrates. Adk-/- cells cultured on biopolymers released significantly more adenosine than their wt counterparts at all developmental stages. Adenosine release was similar on SF and PO substrates and the amounts released from Adk-/- cells (>20 ng/ml) were considered to be of therapeutic relevance. Taken together, these results suggest that silk matrices are particularly suitable biomaterials for ESC encapsulation and for the design of adenosine releasing bioincubators for the treatment of epilepsy.

Adenosine↗

Cartilage tissue engineering with silk scaffolds and human articular chondrocytes.

Adult cartilage tissue has poor capability of self-repair, especially in case of severe cartilage damage due to trauma or age-related degeneration. Autologous cell-based tissue engineering using three-dimensional (3-D) porous scaffolds has provided an option for the repair of full thickness defects in adult cartilage tissue. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and chondrocytes are the two major cell sources for cartilage tissue engineering. Silk fibroin as a naturally occurring degradable fibrous protein with unique mechanical properties, excellent biocompatibility and process-ability has demonstrated strong potential for skeletal tissue engineering. The present study combined adult human chondrocytes (hCHs) with aqueous-derived porous silk fibroin scaffolds for in vitro cartilage tissue engineering. The results were compared with a previous study using the same scaffolds but using MSCs to generate the cartilage tissue outcomes. Culture-expanded hCHs attached to, proliferated and re-differentiated in the scaffolds in a serum-free, chemically defined medium containing TGF-beta1, based on cell morphology, levels of cartilage-related gene transcripts, and the presence of a cartilage-specific ECM. Cell density was critical for the redifferentiation of culture-expanded hCHs in the 3-D aqueous-derived silk fibroin scaffolds. The level of cartilage-related transcripts (AGC, Col-II, Sox 9 and Col-II/Col-I ratio) and the deposition of cartilage-specific ECM were significantly upregulated in constructs initiated with higher seeding density. The hCH-based constructs were significantly different than those formed from MSC-based constructs with respect to cell morphology, zonal structure and initial seeding density needed to successfully generate engineered cartilage-like tissue. These results suggest fundamental differences between stem cell-based (MSC) and primary cell-based (hCH) tissue engineering, as well as the importance of suitable scaffold features, in the optimization of cartilage-related outcomes in vitro. The present work diversifies cell sources in combination with silk fibroin-based tissue engineering applications. Together with our previous studies, the present results show great promise for engineered 3-D silk fibroin scaffolds in autologous cell-based skeletal tissue engineering.

Animals↗

Covalently immobilized enzyme gradients within three-dimensional porous scaffolds.

Horseradish peroxide (HRP) was covalently coupled to three-dimensional (3D) silk fibroin scaffolds using water-soluble carbodiimide. Stable, bilaterally symmetrical immobilized HRP gradient patterns were generated within 3D silk fibroin scaffolds using the principles of diffusion. Gradients of immobilized HRP activity were controlled using variables of volume and concentration of HRP solution activated by the carbodiimide. The method developed can be extended to immobilize a variety of proteins and small molecules on several types of porous, interconnected materials. This technique of patterning enzymes and proteins in a gradient manner offers new options in the field of chemotaxis, tissue engineering, and biosensors.

Animals↗

A debris disk around an isolated young neutron star.

Pulsars are rotating, magnetized neutron stars that are born in supernova explosions following the collapse of the cores of massive stars. If some of the explosion ejecta fails to escape, it may fall back onto the neutron star or it may possess sufficient angular momentum to form a disk. Such 'fallback' is both a general prediction of current supernova models and, if the material pushes the neutron star over its stability limit, a possible mode of black hole formation. Fallback disks could dramatically affect the early evolution of pulsars, yet there are few observational constraints on whether significant fallback occurs or even the actual existence of such disks. Here we report the discovery of mid-infrared emission from a cool disk around an isolated young X-ray pulsar. The disk does not power the pulsar's X-ray emission but is passively illuminated by these X-rays. The estimated mass of the disk is of the order of 10 Earth masses, and its lifetime (> or = 10(6) years) significantly exceeds the spin-down age of the pulsar, supporting a supernova fallback origin. The disk resembles protoplanetary disks seen around ordinary young stars, suggesting the possibility of planet formation around young neutron stars.

Journal Article↗

Expansion and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on a vitamin C functionalized polymer.

In human body ascorbic acid plays an essential role in the synthesis and function of skeletal tissues and immune system factors. Ascorbic acid is also a major physiological antioxidant, repairing oxidatively damaged biomolecules, preventing the formation of excessive reactive oxygen species or scavenging these species. We recently reported the synthesis of ascorbic acid-functionalized polymers in which the antioxidant features of the pendant ascorbic acid groups was preserved. In the present work we demonstrate that ascorbic acid-functionalized poly(methyl methacrylate) (AA-PMMA) can modulate the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of early and late-passage bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The covalently coupled ascorbic acid impacted MSCs differently than when ascorbic acid was presented to the cells in soluble form. At optimal concentration, the covalently coupled ascorbic acid and soluble ascorbic acid synergistically promoted and retained the ability of MSCs to respond to osteogenic stimulation over extensive cell expansions in vitro. In the presence of soluble ascorbic acid, AA-PMMA films prepared at optimal concentrations (0.1 mg/ml in the present study) showed a significant promotive effect over other concentrations and tissue culture plastic (TCP) with respect to osteogenic differentiation of both EP (young) and LP (old) MSCs. These results suggest that the coupled ascorbic acid is acting mainly at the extracellular level and, at optimal concentrations, the immobilized extracellular ascorbic acid and soluble ascorbic acid synergistically promote osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. Importantly, the covalently coupled ascorbic acid on the films of optimal concentration was able to preserve the capacity of MSCs to undergo osteogenic differentiation in vitro. These results suggest an important role for functionalized biomaterials with antioxidant features in control of cell physiology and cell aging phenomena.

Aging↗

Electrospun silk-BMP-2 scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

Silk fibroin fiber scaffolds containing bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and/or nanoparticles of hydroxyapatite (nHAP) prepared via electrospinning were used for in vitro bone formation from human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). BMP-2 survived the aqueous-based electrospinnig process in bioactive form. hMSCs were cultured for up to 31 days under static conditions in osteogenic media on the scaffolds (silk/PEO/BMP-2, silk/PEO/nHAP, silk/PEO/nHAP/BMP-2) and controls (silk/PEO, silk/PEO extracted). Electrospun silk fibroin-based scaffolds supported hMSC growth and differentiation toward osteogenic outcomes. The scaffolds with the co-processed BMP-2 supported higher calcium deposition and enhanced transcript levels of bone-specific markers than in the controls, indicating that these nanofibrous electrospun silk scaffolds were an efficient delivery system for BMP-2. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the apatite formed on the silk fibroin/BMP-2 scaffolds had higher crystallinity than on the silk fibroin scaffold controls. In addition, nHAP particles were incorporated into the electrospun fibrous scaffolds during processing and improved bone formation. The coexistence of BMP-2 and nHAP in the electrospun silk fibroin fibers resulted in the highest calcium deposition and upregulation of BMP-2 transcript levels when compared with the other systems. The results suggest that electrospun silk-fibroin-based scaffolds are potential candidates for bone tissue engineering. Furthermore, the mild aqueous process required to spin the fibers offers an important option for delivery of labile cytokines and other components into the system.

Adult↗

Porous silk fibroin 3-D scaffolds for delivery of bone morphogenetic protein-2 in vitro and in vivo.

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) plays a key role in osteogenesis. Biomaterials used for the sustained delivery of BMP-2 in vivo have shown therapeutic benefits. In the present study, BMP-2 was loaded in porous silk fibroin scaffolds derived from silkworm cocoons (2.4 +/- 0.14 microg per scaffold). The release profile of BMP-2 under dynamic culture conditions (spinner flasks) showed that after 1 week in culture 25% of the initial BMP-2 was retained adsorbed to the scaffold; up to 4 weeks no additional BMP-2 was released. BMP-2 induced human bone marrow stromal cells (hMSCs) to undergo osteogenic differentiation when the seeded scaffolds were cultured in medium supplemented with osteogenic stimulants for 4 weeks, based on elevated alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium deposition, and transcript levels for bone sialoprotein, osteopontin, osteocalcin, BMP-2, and cbfa-1. Micro-computed tomography revealed densely deposited mineral at the center of the scaffolds. In contrast, hMSCs cultured in control scaffolds (no BMP-2) exhibited limited osteogenesis. When implanted in critical sized cranial defects in mice, scaffolds loaded with BMP-2 and seeded with hMSCs resulted in significant bone ingrowth. These results were qualitatively similar to scaffolds loaded with BMP-2 but no hMSCs or with BMP-2 and hMSCs but not pregrown into bone-like tissue. Bone-related outcomes were improved when compared with the scaffold controls implanted without BMP-2. These studies illustrate the potential use of slow degrading silk fibroin 3-D scaffolds loaded with BMP-2, in combination with hMSCs, in osteogenesis studies in vitro and in vivo, and provide a new range of material properties for these applications.

Adsorption↗

RGD-functionalized bioengineered spider dragline silk biomaterial.

Spider silk fibers have remarkable mechanical properties that suggest the component proteins could be useful biopolymers for fabricating biomaterial scaffolds for tissue formation. Two bioengineered protein variants from the consensus sequence of the major component of dragline silk from Nephila clavipes were cloned and expressed to include RGD cell-binding domains. The engineered silks were characterized by CD and FTIR and showed structural transitions from random coil to insoluble beta-sheet upon treatment with methanol. The recombinant proteins were processed into films and fibers and successfully used as biomaterial matrixes to culture human bone marrow stromal cells induced to differentiate into bone-like tissue upon addition of osteogenic stimulants. The recombinant spider silk and the recombinant spider silk with RGD encoded into the protein both supported enhanced the differentiation of human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to osteogenic outcomes when compared to tissue culture plastic. The recombinant spider silk protein without the RGD displayed enhanced bone related outcomes, measured by calcium deposition, when compared to the same protein with RGD. Based on comparisons to our prior studies with silkworm silks and RGD modifications, the current results illustrate the potential to bioengineer spider silk proteins into new biomaterial matrixes, while also highlighting the importance of subtle differences in silk sources and modes of presentation of RGD to cells in terms of tissue-specific outcomes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Biomaterial coatings by stepwise deposition of silk fibroin.

A completely aqueous, stepwise deposition process with Bombyx mori silk fibroin for the assembly of nanoscale thin film coatings is reported the first time. The focus of this work was to develop an understanding of the control of this deposition process and to characterize the films formed from a physicochemical perspective. The deposition process was monitored by UV spectrophotometry and research quartz crystal microbalance. Both absorbance and film thickness correlated linearly with the number of silk fibroin layers deposited, analogous to multilayered materials fabricated from conventional polyelectrolytes. The polymer adsorption process was stable and reproducible, with control of a single layer thickness ranging from a few to tens of nanometers, determined by the concentrations of silk fibroin, salt concentration in the dipping solution, and method of rinsing. The driving force for the assembly of silk fibroin onto the substrate was primarily hydrophobic interactions, while some electrostatic interactions were also involved. The difference with this approach from traditional polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer techniques is that an intervening drying step is used to control the structure and stability of the self-assembled silk fibroin. The assembled films were stable under physiological conditions and supported human bone marrow stem cell adhesion, growth, and differentiation. This approach offers new options to engineer biomaterial coatings as well as bulk materials with control of both interfacial properties conducive to specific cellular or tissue responses and the potential to entrap and deliver labile molecules or other components due to the all-aqueous process described.

Bone Marrow Cells↗

Triggered release of proteins from emulsan-alginate beads.

Emulsan/alginate beads were studied for protein adsorption and stability in the context of controlled release. The beads, 400 +/- 80 microm diameter with approximately 10% emulsan content, offer unusual opportunities for delivery of proteins due to the natural ability of emulsan to bind proteins, coupled with the selective biological activation features of this complex lipoheteropolysaccharide. The binding capacity of azo-bovine serum albumin by the emulsan/alginate beads was 0.637 +/- 0.004 vs. 0.170 +/- 0.007 microg/mg for beads formed from alginate alone. In additional protein adsorption experiments, the lipase and subtilisin maintained activity when adsorbed to the emulsan/alginate beads albeit with lower specific activity when compared to the enzyme free in solution. However, the half life of the adsorbed enzyme was significantly higher than the free forms. To explore functional utility of this system, two types of triggered release were studied in the context of these bead systems. First, azo-BSA as a model protein was physically bound to emulsan/alginate beads and then selectively released by triggering with subtilisin, a serine protease, which cleaves the azo dye, sulfanilic acid, from the bound protein. In absence of subtilisin no triggered release was observed. Second, azo-BSA as a prodrug model, was adsorbed to the emulsan/alginate beads and then release of the dye was demonstrated by lipase treatment which cleaves the fatty acid esters from the emulsan structure to release the bound protein. The results establish the versatility and utility of emulsan-based beads for protein binding and triggered release.

Acinetobacter↗