Mesenchymal stem cell response to growth factor treatment and low oxygen tension in 3-dimensional construct environment

Introduction: cell-based tissue engineering strategies using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) may help to augment tendon healing. To further investigate the in-vitro behavior of this cell population, we investigated low oxygen culture levels, and growth factor supplementation and their effect on expression of tendon extracellular proteins and cell proliferation. Materials and methods: bone marrow aspirate (BMA) was harvested during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Characterized hMSCs derived from BMA were incorporated into 3-dimensional tissue engineered constructs (TECs). TECs were analyzed by frozen sections with immunohistochemistry for cell density, collagen I and collagen III expression. Results: growth factor stimulation and low oxygen increased cell density within TECs. Low oxygen and addition of growth factors to culture media demonstrated an increase in collagen I and III expression, both in ambient oxygen conditions and low oxygen conditions. Conclusion: low oxygen and TGFβ3 demonstrated a positive effect on cell number, and type I and III collagen expression in 3D culture environment