Page 139 - Physico-Chemical Niche Conditions for Bone Cells

kPa) [22]. Importantly, viscosity, regardless of matrix stiffness, also influences cell responses [21,24]. The mobile ligand presentation on SLBs presents the cells with a viscous component [21]. The combination of viscosity and stiffness (i.e., viscoelasticity) changes the cell response [21]. The viscoelasticity of SLBs might resemble the natural environment of osteoprogenitors (osteoid), indicating that SLBs may be a suitable substrate to stimulate osteogenic differentiation of osteoprogenitors.
Application of RGD-functionalized supported lipid bilayers as coating for biomaterials requires that osteoprogenitors, like MSCs, adhere, proliferate, and differentiate on these substrates. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether differences exist in adhesion, focal adhesion formation, morphology, proliferation, and osteogenic potential of pre- osteoblasts cultured on RGD-functionalized SLBs compared to unfunctionalized SLBs and serum attracting poly-L-lysine (PLL), which is a commonly used pre-osteoblast
culture substrate [8,25].
This study realized for the first time pre-osteoblast adhesion and enhanced differentiation on RGD-functionalized SLBs, which could point to a new horizon in the management of bone regeneration using biomaterials. These results, together with the possibility to adjust SLB fluidity and to incorporate additional proteins that can optimize cellular function, for example, growth factors, cytokines, and/or antibacterial agents, as well as SLBs nonfouling nature make SLBs highly promising as substrate to develop innovative biomimetic coatings for biomaterials in bone regeneration. To the best of our knowledge, this is a novel approach to enhance osteoblast differentiation on biomaterials for improved bone regeneration and seamless biomaterial integration into the bone.
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