Notch-inducing hydrogels reveal a perivascular switch of mesenchymal stem cell fate

Ulrich Blache, Queralt Vallmajo-Martin, Edward R. Horton, Julien Guerrero, Valentin Djonov, Arnaud Scherberich, Janine T. Erler, Ivan Martin, Jess G. Snedeker, Vincent Milleret, Martin Ehrbar*

*Corresponding author for this work
    22 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The fate of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the perivascular niche, as well as factors controlling their fate, is poorly understood. Here, we study MSCs in the perivascular microenvironment of endothelial capillaries by modifying a synthetic 3D biomimetic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-hydrogel system in vitro. We show that MSCs together with endothelial cells form micro-capillary networks specifically in soft PEG hydrogels. Transcriptome analysis of human MSCs isolated from engineered capillaries shows a prominent switch in extracellular matrix (ECM) production. We demonstrate that the ECM phenotypic switch of MSCs can be recapitulated in the absence of endothelial cells by functionalizing PEG hydrogels with the Notch-activator Jagged1. Moreover, transient culture of MSCs in Notch-inducing microenvironments reveals the reversibility of this ECM switch. These findings provide insight into the perivascular commitment of MSCs by use of engineered niche-mimicking synthetic hydrogels.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article numbere45964
    JournalEMBO Reports
    Volume19
    Issue number8
    Pages (from-to)1-14
    Number of pages14
    ISSN1469-221X
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2018

    Keywords

    • extracellular matrix
    • mesenchymal stem cell
    • Notch signaling
    • perivascular niche
    • synthetic hydrogel

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