@article{WangXuLietal.2019,
  author    = {Wang, Weiwei and Xu, Xun and Li, Zhengdong and Kratz, Karl and Ma, Nan and Lendlein, Andreas},
  title     = {Modulating human mesenchymal stem cells using poly(n-butyl acrylate) networks in vitro with elasticity matching human arteries},
  series = {Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation : blood flow and vessels},
  volume    = {71},
  journal   = {Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation : blood flow and vessels},
  number    = {2},
  publisher = {IOS Press},
  address   = {Amsterdam},
  issn      = {1386-0291},
  doi       = {10.3233/CH-189418},
  pages     = {277 -- 289},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Non-swelling hydrophobic poly(n-butyl acrylate) network (cPnBA) is a candidate material for synthetic vascular grafts owing to its low toxicity and tailorable mechanical properties. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an attractive cell type for accelerating endothelialization because of their superior anti-thrombosis and immune modulatory function. Further, they can differentiate into smooth muscle cells or endothelial-like cells and secret pro-angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). MSCs are sensitive to the substrate mechanical properties, with the alteration of their major cellular behavior and functions as a response to substrate elasticity. Here, we cultured human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) on cPnBAs with different mechanical properties (cPnBA250, Young's modulus (E) = 250 kPa; cPnBA1100, E = 1100 kPa) matching the elasticity of native arteries, and investigated their cellular response to the materials including cell attachment, proliferation, viability, apoptosis, senescence and secretion. The cPnBA allowed high cell attachment and showed negligible cytotoxicity. F-actin assembly of hADSCs decreased on cPnBA films compared to classical tissue culture plate. The difference of cPnBA elasticity did not show dramatic effects on cell attachment, morphology, cytoskeleton assembly, apoptosis and senescence. Cells on cPnBA250, with lower proliferation rate, had significantly higher VEGF secretion activity. These results demonstrated that tuning polymer elasticity to regulate human stem cells might be a potential strategy for constructing stem cell-based artificial blood vessels.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{WangKratzBehletal.2015,
  author    = {Wang, Weiwei and Kratz, Karl and Behl, Marc and Yan, Wan and Liu, Yue and Xu, Xun and Baudis, Stefan and Li, Zhengdong and Kurtz, Andreas and Lendlein, Andreas and Ma, Nan},
  title     = {The interaction of adipose-derived human mesenchymal stem cells and polyether ether ketone},
  series = {Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation : blood flow and vessels},
  volume    = {61},
  journal   = {Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation : blood flow and vessels},
  number    = {2},
  publisher = {IOS Press},
  address   = {Amsterdam},
  issn      = {1386-0291},
  doi       = {10.3233/CH-152001},
  pages     = {301 -- 321},
  year      = {2015},
  abstract  = {Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) as a high-performance, thermoplastic implant material entered the field of medical applications due to its structural function and commercial availability. In bone tissue engineering, the combination of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with PEEK implants may accelerate the bone formation and promote the osseointegration between the implant and the adjacent bone tissue. In this concept the question how PEEK influences the behaviour and functions of MSCs is of great interest. Here the cellular response of human adipose-derived MSCs to PEEK was evaluated and compared to tissue culture plate (TCP) as the reference material. Viability and morphology of cells were not altered when cultured on the PEEK film. The cells on PEEK presented a high proliferation activity in spite of a relatively lower initial cell adhesion rate. There was no significant difference on cell apoptosis and senescence between the cells on PEEK and TCP. The inflammatory cytokines and VEGF secreted by the cells on these two surfaces were at similar levels. The cells on PEEK showed up-regulated BMP2 and down-regulated BMP4 and BMP6 gene expression, whereas no conspicuous differences were observed in the committed osteoblast markers (BGLAP, COL1A1 and Runx2). With osteoinduction the cells on PEEK and TCP exhibited a similar osteogenic differentiation potential. Our results demonstrate the biofunctionality of PEEK for human MSC cultivation and differentiation. Its clinical benefits in bone tissue engineering may be achieved by combining MSCs with PEEK implants. These data may also provide useful information for further modification of PEEK with chemical or physical methods to regulate the cellular processes of MSCs and to consequently improve the efficacy of MSC-PEEK based therapies.},
  language  = {en}
}