Effect of NELL1 gene overexpression in iPSC-MSCs seeded on calcium phosphate cement

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a promising source of patient-specific stem cells with great regenerative potential. There has been no report on NEL-like protein 1 (NELL1) gene modification of iPSC-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iPSC-MSCs). The objectives of this study were to genetically modify iPSC-MSCs with NELL1 overexpression for bone engineering, and investigate the osteogenic differentiation of NELL1 gene-modified iPSC-MSCs seeded on Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-grafted calcium phosphate cement (CPC) scaffold. Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) gene level of NELL1-iPSC-MSCs was 2-fold that of RFP-iPSC-MSCs. Osteocalcin (OC) level of NELL1-iPSC-MSCs was 3.1-fold that of RFP-iPSC-MSCs. Mineral synthesis was also greatly increased in the NELL1-iPSC-MSCs (Figs. A, B). Therefore, human iPSCs are a promising cell source for bone tissue engineering. NELL1 gene modification of iPSC-MSCs has great potential to enhance bone regeneration. The RGD-grafted CPC scaffold is suitable for delivering the NELL1-iPSC-MSCs for orthopedic and craniofacial applications.817