Conclusions
Conditioning hiPSC-VSMCs embedded in scaffolds with TNF-α improves cellular viability and increases the secretion of paracrine factors necessary for wound healing mechanisms such as migration.
Methods
hiPSC-VSMCs were dual-plated in a 2D environment. TNF-α was introduced to one plate. Following incubation, cells from each plate were divided and added to type-I collagen scaffolds. TNF-α was introduced to two sets of scaffolds, one from each 2D plate. Following incubation, scaffolds were harvested for their media, tested for cell survivability, cytotoxicity, and imaged. Intra-media VEGF and bFGF levels were evaluated using ELISA testing.
Results
hiPSC-VSMCs exposed to TNF-α during collagen scaffold proliferation and preconditioning showed an increase in cell viability and less cytotoxicity compared to non-exposed cells and solely-preconditioned cells. Significant increases in bFGF expression were found in pre-conditioned cell groups with further increases found in cells subsequently exposed during intra-scaffold conditioning. A significant increase in VEGF expression was found in cell groups exposed during both pre-conditioning and intra-scaffold conditioning. Fibroblasts treated with any conditioned media demonstrated increased migration potential. Conclusions: Conditioning hiPSC-VSMCs embedded in scaffolds with TNF-α improves cellular viability and increases the secretion of paracrine factors necessary for wound healing mechanisms such as migration.
Supplementary Information
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12195-023-00764-0.