Nanomaterials and Stem Cell Differentiation Potential: An Overview of Biological Aspects and Biomedical Efficacy.

Nanoparticles (NPs), due to their medical applications, are widely used. Accordingly, the use of mesenchymal stem cells is one of the most important alternatives in the tissue engineering field. NPs play effective roles in stem cells proliferation and differentiation. The combination of NPs and tissue regeneration by stem cells has created a new therapeutic approach towards humanity. Of note, the physicochemical properties of NPs determine their biological function. Interestingly, various mechanisms such as modulation of signaling pathways and generation of reactive oxygen species, are involved in NPs-induced cellular proliferation and differentiation. This review summarized the types of nanomaterials effective on stem cell differentiation, the physicochemical features, biomedical application of these materials and the relationship between nanomaterials and environment.

Silver nanoparticles induce the cardiomyogenic differentiation of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells via telomere length extension.

Finding new strategies for the treatment of heart failures using stem cells has attracted a lot of attention. Meanwhile, nanotechnology-based approaches to regenerative medicine hypothesize a possible combination of stem cells and nanotechnology in the treatment of diseases. This study aims to investigate the in vitro effect of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) on the cardiomyogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) through detection of cardiac markers. For this purpose, MSCs were isolated from bone marrow resident and differentiated to the cardiac cells using a dedicated medium with Ag-NPs. Also, the cardiomyogenic differentiation of BM-MSCs was confirmed using immunocytochemistry. Then, real-time PCR and western blotting assay were used for measuring absolute telomere length (TL) measurement, and gene and protein assessment of the cells, respectively. It was found that 2.5 µg/mL Ag-NPs caused elongation of the telomeres and altered VEGF, C-TnI, VWF, SMA, GATA-4, TERT, and cyclin D protein and gene expression in the cardiomyogenically differentiated BM-MSCs. Also, there was a significant increase in the protein and gene expression of Wnt3 and ß-catenin as main components of pathways. We concluded that Ag-NPs could change the in vitro expression of cardiac markers of BM-MSCs via the Wnt3/ß-catenin signaling pathway.