Aim
To determine whether fluid flow-induced shear stress affects the differentiation of bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) into osteogenic cells. Materials &
Conclusion
These data demonstrate that shear stress stimulates hMSCs towards an osteoblastic phenotype in the absence of chemical induction, suggesting that certain mechanical stresses may serve as an alternative to chemical stimulation of stem cell differentiation.
Methods
hMSCs cultured with or without osteogenic differentiation medium were exposed to fluid flow-induced shear stress and analyzed for alkaline phosphatase activity and expression of osteogenic genes.
Results
Immediately following shear stress, alkaline phosphatase activity in osteogenic medium was significantly increased. At days 4 and 8 of culture the mRNA expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 and osteopontin was significantly higher in hMSCs subjected to shear stress than those cultured in static conditions. However, hMSCs cultured in osteogenic differentiation medium were less responsive in gene expression of alkaline phosphatase and bone morphogenetic protein-2.