A cost-effective and enhanced mesenchymal stem cell expansion platform with internal plasma-activated biofunctional interfaces

Anyu Zhang; Johnny Kuan Un Wong; Katazhyna Redzikultsava; Mark Baldry; Seyedeh KH. Alavi; Ziyu Wang; Eveline van Koten; Anthony Weiss; Marcela Bilek; Giselle C. Yeo; Behnam Akhavan

Materials Today Bio (Oct 2023)

A cost-effective and enhanced mesenchymal stem cell expansion platform with internal plasma-activated biofunctional interfaces

Anyu Zhang,
Johnny Kuan Un Wong,
Katazhyna Redzikultsava,
Mark Baldry,
Seyedeh KH. Alavi,
Ziyu Wang,
Eveline van Koten,
Anthony Weiss,
Marcela Bilek,
Giselle C. Yeo,
Behnam Akhavan

Affiliations

Anyu Zhang: School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; School of Physics, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Sydney Nano Institute, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Johnny Kuan Un Wong: Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Sydney Nano Institute, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Katazhyna Redzikultsava: School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; School of Physics, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Mark Baldry: School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; School of Physics, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Sydney Nano Institute, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Seyedeh KH. Alavi: School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; School of Physics, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Ziyu Wang: Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Eveline van Koten: School of Physics, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Anthony Weiss: Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Marcela Bilek: School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; School of Physics, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Sydney Nano Institute, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Giselle C. Yeo: Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Corresponding author. Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
Behnam Akhavan: School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; School of Physics, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Sydney Nano Institute, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; School of Engineering, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), Precision Medicine Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia; Corresponding author. School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 22
p. 100727

Abstract

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Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) used for clinical applications require in vitro expansion to achieve therapeutically relevant numbers. However, conventional planar cell expansion approaches using tissue culture vessels are inefficient, costly, and can trigger MSC phenotypic and functional decline. Here we present a one-step dry plasma process to modify the internal surfaces of three-dimensional (3D) printed, high surface area to volume ratio (high-SA:V) porous scaffolds as platforms for stem cell expansion. To address the long-lasting challenge of uniform plasma treatment within the micrometre-sized pores of scaffolds, we developed a packed bed plasma immersion ion implantation (PBPI3) technology by which plasma is ignited inside porous materials for homogeneous surface activation. COMSOL Multiphysics simulations support our experimental data and provide insights into the role of electrical field and pressure distribution in plasma ignition. Spatial surface characterisation inside scaffolds demonstrates the homogeneity of PBPI3 activation. The PBPI3 treatment induces radical-containing chemical structures that enable the covalent attachment of biomolecules via a simple, non-toxic, single-step incubation process. We showed that PBPI3-treated scaffolds biofunctionalised with fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) significantly promoted the expansion of MSCs, preserved cell phenotypic expression, and multipotency, while reducing the usage of costly growth factor supplements. This breakthrough PBPI3 technology can be applied to a wide range of 3D polymeric porous scaffolds, paving the way towards developing new biomimetic interfaces for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Published in Materials Today Bio

ISSN: 2590-0064 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General); Science: Biology (General)
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/materials-today-bio

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