ABSTRACT
Hypertrophic differentiation occurs during in vitro chondrogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), decreasing the quality of the cartilage construct. Previously we identified WNT pathway antagonists Dickkopf 1 homolog (DKK1) and frizzled-related protein (FRZB) as key factors in blocking hypertrophic differentiation of human MSCs (hMSCs). In this study, we investigated the role of endogenously expressed DKK1 and FRZB in chondrogenesis of hMSC and chondrocyte redifferentiation and in preventing cell hypertrophy using three relevant human cell based systems, isolated hMSCs, isolated primary human chondrocytes (hChs), and cocultures of hMSCs with hChs for which we specifically designed neutralizing nano-antibodies. We selected and tested variable domain of single chain heavy chain only antibodies (VHH) for their ability to neutralize the function of DKK1 or FRZB. In the presence of DKK1 and FRZB neutralizing VHH, glycosaminoglycan and collagen type II staining were significantly reduced in monocultured hMSCs and monocultured chondrocytes. Furthermore, in cocultures, cells in pellets showed hypertrophic differentiation. In conclusion, endogenous expression of the WNT antagonists DKK1 and FRZB is necessary for multiple steps during chondrogenesis: first DKK1 and FRZB are indispensable for the initial steps of chondrogenic differentiation of hMSCs, second they are necessary for chondrocyte redifferentiation, and finally in preventing hypertrophic differentiation of articular chondrocytes.
Subject(s)
Cell Culture Techniques/methods , Chondrocytes/metabolism , Chondrogenesis , Glycoproteins/metabolism , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism , Antibodies, Neutralizing/pharmacology , Biomarkers/metabolism , Cell Differentiation/drug effects , Cells, Cultured , Chondrocytes/cytology , Chondrocytes/drug effects , Chondrogenesis/drug effects , Coculture Techniques , Glycoproteins/immunology , Humans , Hypertrophy , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/immunology , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/drug effects , Middle Aged , Single-Domain Antibodies/immunology , Wnt Signaling Pathway/drug effectsABSTRACT
A supramolecular strategy is presented for the assembly of growth factors employing His6-tagged single-domain antibodies (VHH). A combination of orthogonal supramolecular interactions of ß-cyclodextrin (ßCD)-adamantyl (Ad) host-guest and N-nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA)-histidine (His) interactions was employed to generate reversible and homogeneous layers of growth factors. A single-domain antibody V(H)H fragment was identified to bind to the human bone morphogenetic protein-6 (hBMP6) growth factor and could be recombinantly expressed in E. coli. The V(H)H fragment was equipped with a C-terminal hexahistidine (His6) tether to facilitate the assembly on ßCD surfaces using a linker that contains an Ad group to bind to the ßCD receptors and an NTA moiety to interact with the His6-tag upon cocomplexation of Ni(2+) ions. After exploring the thermodynamic and kinetic stability of the V(H)H assemblies on ßCD surfaces using a variety of experimental techniques including microcontact printing (µCP), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), microscale thermophoresis (MST), and theoretical models for determining the thermodynamic behavior of the system, hBMP6 was assembled onto the V(H)H-functionalized surfaces. After analyzing the immobilized hBMP6 using immunostaining, the biological activity of hBMP6 was demonstrated in cell differentiation experiments. Early osteogenic differentiation was analyzed in terms of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of KS483-4C3 mouse progenitor cells, and the results indicated that the reversibly immobilized growth factors were functionally delivered to the cells. In conclusion, the supramolecular strategy used here offers the necessary affinity, reversibility, and temporal control to promote biological function of the growth factors that were delivered by this strategy.
