Nanoparticles for bone and cartilage growth
Human stem cells have great potential for use in clinical practice, as they can transform into various types of specialized cells, such as bone tissue and cartilage cells. The modern approach to obtaining specialized cells consists in influencing stem cells with selectively acting molecules known as growth factors. However, the introduction of growth factors into the body can cause undesirable side effects, including the growth of tumors.
Researchers at Texas A&M University, working under the leadership of Dr. Akhilesh Gaharwar, proposed replacing growth factors with a new class of two-dimensional (flat) silicate nanoparticles (nanosilicates) capable of directing stem cell differentiation in the direction of bone or cartilage tissue cells.
The process of absorption of nanosilicate particles by human stem cells. Red – nanosilicates, green – lysosomes.
Recently, two-dimensional nanomaterials, due to their small size and unique shape, have become increasingly popular in various industries, including energy, optics and regenerative engineering. They consist of highly organized atomic layers of minerals. The minerals used for their manufacture are contained in large quantities in the body and are important for the course of a number of vital functions.
The nanosilicate particles used by the authors are similar in shape to flaxseeds, but they are 10 million times smaller. To study their interaction with stem cells, the latest generation sequencing technology, known as RNA-seq, was used. It allows you to determine the presence and amount of RNA in a biological sample at any given moment, or, in other words, to get a "snapshot" of gene activity in a cell. For example, interactions between a cell and nanoparticles can lead to significant changes in cell behavior detected using this technique.
The study of changes occurring with adult stem cells under the action of nanosilicates revealed the triggering of signaling mechanisms involved in the regeneration of bone and cartilage tissues. This indicates the prospects of using these nanoparticles in the treatment of osteoarthritis, as well as other orthopedic pathologies. It is believed that cellular reactions are caused by the unique physical properties and chemical composition of nanoparticles, so the appearance of mineral-based nanoparticles opens up new prospects in the development of next-generation therapeutic approaches.
The process of differentiation of stem cells into bone and cartilage cells under the direct influence of nanosilicates.
According to the authors, the ability to adapt therapy to a specific tissue by changing the mineral composition of nanoparticles provides a huge potential in the field of regenerative engineering. They believe that this new direction of "mineralogy" can provide a promising alternative to the existing method of treating various diseases.
Article by James K. Carrow et al. Widespread changes in transcriptome profile of human mesenchymal stem cells induced by two-dimensional nanosilicates is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Evgenia Ryabtseva, portal "Eternal Youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on materials from Texas A&M University: Flaxseed-like particles can now grow bone, cartage tissues for humans.