Calcium-microRNA Complexes Functionalized Nanotubular Implant Surface for Highly Efficient Transfection and Enhanced Osteogenesis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Wen Song, Chuanxu Yang, Dang Quang Svend Le, Yumei Zhang, Jørgen Kjems

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperJournal articleResearchpeer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Controlling mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation by RNA interference (RNAi) is a promising approach for next-generation regenerative medicine. However, efficient delivery of RNAi therapeutics is still a limiting factor. In this study, we have developed a simple, biocompatible, and highly effective delivery method of small RNA therapeutics into human MSCs (hMSCs) from an implant surface by calcium ions. First, we demonstrated that simple Ca/siRNA targeting green fluorescent protein (GFP) nanocomplexes were able to efficiently silence GFP in GFP-expressing hMSCs with adequate Ca 2+ concentration (>5 mM). In addition, a single transfection could obtain a long-lasting silencing effect for more than 2 weeks. All three of the main endocytosis pathways (clathrin- and caveolin-mediated endocytosis and macropinocytosis) were involved in the internalization of the Ca/siRNA complexes by MSCs, and macropinocytosis plays the most dominant role. Furthermore, the Ca/siRNA complexes could be efficiently loaded onto the titanium implant surface when pretreated with anodization to create a nanotube (NT) layer. Because of the hydrophilic property of the NT surface, the Ca/siRNA was quickly loaded (less than 4 h) with high efficiency (nearly 100%), forming an even amorphous coating. The Ca/siRNA-coated NT surface showed an initial burst release of 80% of the siRNA complexes over 2 h, which is adequate to achieve robust gene silencing of attached hMSCs. To demonstrate the therapeutic potential of our Ca/siRNA coating technology, Ca/antimiR-138 complexes were loaded on to the NT surface, which strongly enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs. In conclusion, our findings suggest that Ca 2+ is an effective and biocompatible carrier to deliver small RNA therapeutics into hMSCs, both in solution and from functionalized surfaces, which provides a novel approach to control the MSC differentiation and tissue regeneration.

Original languageEnglish
JournalA C S Applied Materials and Interfaces
Volume10
Issue9
Pages (from-to)7756-7764
Number of pages9
ISSN1944-8244
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Mar 2018

Keywords

  • Journal Article

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