TY - JOUR
T1 - Tendon-derived biomimetic surface topographies induce phenotypic maintenance of tenocytes in vitro
AU - Dede Eren, Aysegul
AU - Vasilevich, Aliaksey
AU - Eren, E Deniz
AU - Sudarsanam, Phanikrishna
AU - Tuvshindorj, Urandelger
AU - de Boer, Jan
AU - Foolen, Jasper
PY - 2021/8/1
Y1 - 2021/8/1
N2 - The tenocyte niche contains biochemical and biophysical signals that are needed for tendon homeostasis. The tenocyte phenotype is correlated with cell shape in vivo and in vitro, and shape-modifying cues are needed for tenocyte phenotypical maintenance. Indeed, cell shape changes from elongated to spread when cultured on a flat surface, and rat tenocytes lose the expression of phenotypical markers throughout five passages. We hypothesized that tendon gene expression can be preserved by culturing cells in the native tendon shape. To this end, we reproduced the tendon topographical landscape into tissue culture polystyrene, using imprinting technology. We confirmed that the imprints forced the cells into a more elongated shape, which correlated with the level of Scleraxis expression. When we cultured the tenocytes for seven days on flat surfaces and tendon imprints, we observed a decline in tenogenic marker expression on flat but not on imprints. This research demonstrates that native tendon topography is an important factor contributing to the tenocyte phenotype. Tendon imprints therefore provide a powerful platform to explore the effect of instructive cues originating from native tendon topography on guiding cell shape, phenotype and function of tendon-related cells.
AB - The tenocyte niche contains biochemical and biophysical signals that are needed for tendon homeostasis. The tenocyte phenotype is correlated with cell shape in vivo and in vitro, and shape-modifying cues are needed for tenocyte phenotypical maintenance. Indeed, cell shape changes from elongated to spread when cultured on a flat surface, and rat tenocytes lose the expression of phenotypical markers throughout five passages. We hypothesized that tendon gene expression can be preserved by culturing cells in the native tendon shape. To this end, we reproduced the tendon topographical landscape into tissue culture polystyrene, using imprinting technology. We confirmed that the imprints forced the cells into a more elongated shape, which correlated with the level of Scleraxis expression. When we cultured the tenocytes for seven days on flat surfaces and tendon imprints, we observed a decline in tenogenic marker expression on flat but not on imprints. This research demonstrates that native tendon topography is an important factor contributing to the tenocyte phenotype. Tendon imprints therefore provide a powerful platform to explore the effect of instructive cues originating from native tendon topography on guiding cell shape, phenotype and function of tendon-related cells.
KW - dedifferentiation
KW - redifferentiation
KW - soft embossing
KW - surface topography
KW - tendon
KW - tenocytes
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85112868478&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1089/ten.TEA.2020.0249
DO - 10.1089/ten.TEA.2020.0249
M3 - Article
C2 - 33045937
VL - 27
SP - 1023
EP - 1036
JO - Tissue engineering. Part A
JF - Tissue engineering. Part A
SN - 1937-3341
IS - 15-16
ER -