Multi-lineage differentiation of hMSCs encapsulated in thermo-reversible hydrogel using a co-culture system with differentiated cells

The micro-environment is an important factor in the differentiation of cultured stem cells for the purpose of site specific transplantation. In an attempt to optimize differentiation conditions, co-culture systems composed of both stem cells and primary cells or cell lines were used in hydrogel with in vitro and in vivo systems. Stem cells encapsulated in hydrogel, under certain conditions, can undergo increased differentiation both in vitro and in vivo; therefore, reconstruction of transplanted stem cells in a hydrogel co-culture system is important for tissue regeneration. In order to construct such a co-culture system, we attempted to create a hydrogel scaffold which could induce neo-tissue growth from the recipient bed into the material. This material would enable encapsulation of stem cells in vitro after which they could be transferred to an in vivo system utilizing nude mice. In this case, the hydrogel was implanted in the subfascial space of nude mice and excised 4 weeks later. Cross-sections of the excised samples were stained with von Kossa or safranin-O and tubular formations into the gel were observed with and tested by doppler imaging. The data showed that the hydrogel markedly induced growth of osteogenic, chondrogenic, and vascular-rich tissue into the hydrogel by 4 weeks, which surpassed that after transplantation in a co-culture system. Further, a co-culture system with differentiated cells and stem cells potentially enhanced chondrogenesis, osteogenesis, and vascularization. These findings suggest that a co-culture system with hydrogel as scaffold material for neo-tissue formation is a useful tools for multi-lineage stem cell differentiation.