Accelerated differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells toward adipogenic lineage via suspension-based shear stimulation

Tissue regeneration using autologous adult human mesenchymal stem cells has become an attractive approach due to the reduced probability of transplant rejection. The ability to differentiate stem cells without a bioreactor or specific media would substantially contribute to the creation of more efficient biocompatible scaffolds incorporating the differentiated stem cells of the patient. In this study, we examined differentiating stem cells via shear stimulation in a suspension flow. We shear exposed undifferentiated stem cells in a suspension through syringes connected to biocompatible tubing with various lengths. The resulting stimulation was capable of differentiating the stem cells towards the adipogenic lineage. Specifically, the stem cells differentiated towards the adipogenic lineage as reflected by increased fold changes in expression of markers MAPK1 and CFL1 via qRTPCR. Further immunocytochemical staining with colorimetric Oil Red O confirmed adipogenic differentiation of the hMSCs. The data from qRTPCR and immunocytochemical staining indicated shear stimulation of hMSCs in a suspension flow differentiated these cells into adipocytes. We conclude that our system presents a platform that can be used to differentiate stem cells for use on implantable biocompatible scaffolds.