hE-cadherin–Fc fusion protein coated surface enhances the adhesion and proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells

• We constructed a hE-cad–Fc fusion protein to modify hydrophobic materials.
• We characterized the hE-cad–Fc fusion protein on a polystyrene plate.
• The hE-cad–Fc matrix enhanced the adhesion and proliferation of hMSCs.
• We preliminarily studied the molecular mechanism.

A fusion protein consisting of human E-cadherin extracellular domain and the immunoglobulin G Fc region (hE-cadherin–Fc) was prepared and used as a cell–cell adhesion biomimicking matrix for the in vitro expansion of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) for use in regenerative medicine. The hE-cadherin–Fc was stably immobilized onto a polystyrene plate due to the hydrophobicity of the Fc domain, enhancing the surface wettability and topography of the plate. The hE-cadherin–Fc matrix markedly promoted the cell adhesion and proliferation of hMSCs compared with the tissue culture-treated plate (TC-PS) and the gelatin-coated plate. Furthermore, the expanded hMSCs on the hE-cadherin–Fc were positive for CD105, similar to those from the gelatin. Additionally, the expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin in the hMSCs was improved on the hE-cadherin–Fc matrix, suggesting that the interactions of the hE-cadherin–Fc matrix with the hMSCs were substitutes for the cell–cell adhesion junctions during the initial culture stage in the absence of intercellular interactions. The hE-cadherin–Fc was shown to be a promising artificial ECM for the in vitro expansion of hMSCs.

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