Non-viral bone morphogenetic protein 2 transfection of rat dental pulp stem cells using calcium phosphate nanoparticles as carriers

Tissue Eng Part A. 2008 Jan;14(1):71-81. doi: 10.1089/ten.a.2007.0102.

Abstract

Calcium phosphate nanoparticles have shown potential as non-viral vectors for gene delivery. The aim of this study was to induce bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp)2 transfection in rat dental pulp stem cells using calcium phosphate nanoparticles as a gene vector and then to evaluate the efficiency and bioactivity of the transfection. We also intended to investigate the behavior of transfected cells when seeded on 3-dimensional titanium fiber mesh scaffolds. Nanoparticles of calcium phosphate encapsulating plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) (plasmid enhanced green fluorescent protein-BMP2) were prepared. Then, STRO-1-selected rat dental pulp stem cells were transfected using these nanoparticles. Transfection and bioactivity of the secreted BMP2 were examined. Thereafter, the transfected cells were cultured on a fibrous titanium mesh. The cultures were investigated using scanning electron microscipy and evaluated for cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium content. Finally, real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed for odontogenesis-related gene expression. The results showed that the size of the DNA-loaded particles was approximately 100 nm in diameter. Nanoparticles could protect the DNA encapsulated inside from external DNase and release the loaded DNA in a low-acid environment (pH 3.0). In vitro, nanoparticle transfection was shown to be effective and to accelerate or promote the odontogenic differentiation of rat dental pulp stem cells when cultured in the 3-dimensional scaffolds. Based on our results, plasmid DNA-loaded calcium phosphate nanoparticles appear to be an effective non-viral vector for gene delivery and functioned well for odontogenic differentiation through Bmp2 transfection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaline Phosphatase / biosynthesis
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Surface / biosynthesis
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / genetics
  • Calcium Phosphates*
  • Cell Differentiation* / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dental Pulp / metabolism*
  • Dental Pulp / ultrastructure
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Nanoparticles*
  • Odontogenesis* / genetics
  • Rats
  • Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Stem Cells / ultrastructure
  • Titanium
  • Transfection*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / biosynthesis*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics

Substances

  • Antigens, Surface
  • BMP2 protein, human
  • Bmp2 protein, rat
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
  • Calcium Phosphates
  • STRO-1 antigen, rat
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • calcium phosphate
  • Titanium
  • Alkaline Phosphatase