Graphene supports <i>in vitro</i> proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of goat adult mesenchymal stem cells: potential for bone tissue engineering

TLDR

Current bone‑loss treatments rely on grafts, metal alloys, and ceramics, yet they face inherent challenges that leave an adequate replacement therapy unmet, while graphitic materials are known to be cytocompatible and support cell adhesion and proliferation. The study evaluates whether graphene, a biocompatible inert nanomaterial, can serve as a nanoscaffold that promotes proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of goat adult mesenchymal stem cells. The authors compared cell proliferation and differentiation on standard polystyrene tissue culture plates versus graphene‑coated plates. Cells seeded on oxidized graphene films differentiated osteogenically in serum‑containing medium without added glucocorticoids or growth factors, supporting graphene’s role as an osteoinducer and a vehicle for goat mesenchymal stem cells in bone tissue engineering. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract

Abstract Current treatments for bone loss injuries involve autologous and allogenic bone grafts, metal alloys and ceramics. Although these therapies have proved useful, they suffer from inherent challenges, and hence, an adequate bone replacement therapy has not yet been found. We hypothesize that graphene may be a useful nanoscaffold for mesenchymal stem cells and will promote proliferation and differentiation into bone progenitor cells. In this study, we evaluate graphene, a biocompatible inert nanomaterial, for its effect on in vitro growth and differentiation of goat adult mesenchymal stem cells. Cell proliferation and differentiation are compared between polystyrene‐coated tissue culture plates and graphene‐coated plates. Graphitic materials are cytocompatible and support cell adhesion and proliferation. Importantly, cells seeded on to oxidized graphene films undergo osteogenic differentiation in fetal bovine serum‐containing medium without the addition of any glucocorticoid or specific growth factors. These findings support graphene's potential to act as an osteoinducer and a vehicle to deliver mesenchymal stem cells, and suggest that the combination of graphene and goat mesenchymal stem cells provides a promising construct for bone tissue engineering. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.