The role of transglutaminase 2 and osteopontin in matrix protein supplemented microencapsulation of marrow stromal cells

Previous studies reported that matrix protein supplementation (fibronectin/fibrinogen, FN/FG) of agarose gel microcapsules enhances survival and target tissue retention of syngeneic rat marrow stromal cells (MSCs). We hypothesized that additional supplementation of microcapsules with osteopontin (OPN) and transglutaminase 2 (TG2) would enhance cell survival, while stabilizing the provisional matrix. Using monomeric OPN or OPN polymerized with TG2, we examined human MSC adhesion, morphology, focal contact formation and apoptosis. Polymeric OPN with TG2 induced greater adhesion than monomeric OPN (84.5 ± 10.7 vs. 44.3 ± 10.0 cells/field), and also significantly enhanced focal contact formation (351.5 ± 21.2 vs. 45.6 ± 17.6 focal contact sites/cell) and cell spreading (2.7 × 103 ± 0.20 × 103 μm2 vs. 1.2 × 103 ± 0.26 × 102 μm2) while preserving MSC pluripotency. Microcapsules supplemented with FN/FG, polymeric OPN and TG2 demonstrated significantly less apoptotic cells than FN/FG microcapsules (14.0 ± 2.34% vs. 28.2 ± 3.22%). Reduced apoptosis was attributed to matrix stabilization by TG2 and the synergistic activity of matrix proteins. It is anticipated that this enhanced survival will maximize the therapeutic potential of MSCs.