Neural crest-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells enhance cranial allograft integration

  • Juliane D. Glaeser
  • , Phillip Behrens
  • , Tina Stefanovic
  • , Khosrowdad Salehi
  • , Angela Papalamprou
  • , Wafa Tawackoli
  • , Melodie F. Metzger
  • , Samuel Eberlein
  • , Trevor Nelson
  • , Yasaman Arabi
  • , Kevin Kim
  • , Robert H. Baloh
  • , Shiran Ben-David
  • , Doron Cohn-Schwartz
  • , Robert Ryu
  • , Hyun W. Bae
  • , Zulma Gazit
  • , Dmitriy Sheyn*
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Replacement of lost cranial bone (partly mesodermal and partly neural crest-derived) is challenging and includes the use of nonviable allografts. To revitalize allografts, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (mesoderm-derived BM-MSCs) have been used with limited success. We hypothesize that coating of allografts with induced neural crest cell-mesenchymal progenitor cells (iNCC-MPCs) improves implant-to-bone integration in mouse cranial defects. Human induced pluripotent stem cells were reprogramed from dermal fibroblasts, differentiated to iNCCs and then to iNCC-MPCs. BM-MSCs were used as reference. Cells were labeled with luciferase (Luc2) and characterized for MSC consensus markers expression, differentiation, and risk of cellular transformation. A calvarial defect was created in non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) mice and allografts were implanted, with or without cell coating. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI), microcomputed tomography (μCT), histology, immunofluorescence, and biomechanical tests were performed. Characterization of iNCC-MPC-Luc2 vs BM-MSC-Luc2 showed no difference in MSC markers expression and differentiation in vitro. In vivo, BLI indicated survival of both cell types for at least 8 weeks. At week 8, μCT analysis showed enhanced structural parameters in the iNCC-MPC-Luc2 group and increased bone volume in the BM-MSC-Luc2 group compared to controls. Histology demonstrated improved integration of iNCC-MPC-Luc2 allografts compared to BM-MSC-Luc2 group and controls. Human osteocalcin and collagen type 1 were detected at the allograft-host interphase in cell-seeded groups. The iNCC-MPC-Luc2 group also demonstrated improved biomechanical properties compared to BM-MSC-Luc2 implants and cell-free controls. Our results show an improved integration of iNCC-MPC-Luc2-coated allografts compared to BM-MSC-Luc2 and controls, suggesting the use of iNCC-MPCs as potential cell source for cranial bone repair.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)797-809
Number of pages13
JournalStem cells translational medicine
Volume10
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2021
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 The Authors. STEM CELLS TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of AlphaMed Press

Keywords

  • MSC
  • allograft
  • bone healing
  • cranial repair
  • neural crest cells

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