Transcriptomic Changes toward Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on 3D‐Printed GelMA/CNC Hydrogel under Pulsatile Pressure Environment

Abstract

AbstractBiomimetic soft hydrogels used in bone tissue engineering frequently produce unsatisfactory outcomes. Here, it is investigated how human bone‐marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) differentiated into early osteoblasts on remarkably soft 3D hydrogel (70 ± 0.00049 Pa). Specifically, hBMSCs seeded onto cellulose nanocrystals incorporated methacrylate gelatin hydrogels are subjected to pulsatile pressure stimulation (PPS) of 5–20 kPa for 7 days. The PPS stimulates cellular processes such as mechanotransduction, cytoskeletal distribution, prohibition of oxidative stress, calcium homeostasis, osteogenic marker gene expression, and osteo‐specific cytokine secretions in hBMSCs on soft substrates. The involvement of Piezo 1 is the main ion channel involved in mechanotransduction. Additionally, RNA‐sequencing results reveal differential gene expression concerning osteogenic differentiation, bone mineralization, ion channel activity, and focal adhesion. These findings suggest a practical and highly scalable method for promoting stem cell commitment to osteogenesis on soft matrices for clinical reconstruction.