Lee Ji-Eun, Hwa Somyeong, Lee Hee-Ra, Kim Ju-Hwan, Lee Hyun-Jin, Park Jun-Beom
Department of Periodontics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea.
Department of Periodontics, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul 08308, Republic of Korea.
Medicina (Kaunas). 2024 Dec 23;60(12):2108. doi: 10.3390/medicina60122108.
: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a protein which stimulates the formation of new blood vessels, playing a crucial role in processes such as wound healing and tumor growth. : This study investigated the effects of VEGF on cell viability and osteogenic differentiation in mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) spheroids. Stem cell spheroids were fabricated using concave microwells and cultured with VEGF at concentrations of 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 ng/mL. Morphological assessments were conducted on days 1, 3, 5, and 7, while cell viability was evaluated using the LIVE/DEAD assay and Cell Counting Kit-8. Alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and calcium deposition were measured to assess osteogenic differentiation, and qPCR was used to analyze osteogenic marker expression. : The spheroids maintained their shape across all VEGF concentrations, with the largest diameter being at 0.01 ng/mL on day 1, which decreased over time. Cell viability was highest at 0.01 ng/mL VEGF, while calcium deposition peaked at 0.1 ng/mL. Osteogenic markers, including RUNX2, osteocalcin, and COL1A1, showed significant upregulation at 1 ng/mL VEGF. : These results suggest that VEGF enhances early osteogenic differentiation in MSC spheroids, indicating its potential for bone repair and tissue regeneration. VEGF could be applied in clinical settings for bone healing, fracture repair, and regenerative dentistry treatments.
血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）是一种刺激新血管形成的蛋白质，在伤口愈合和肿瘤生长等过程中起关键作用。本研究调查了VEGF对间充质干细胞（MSC）球体中细胞活力和成骨分化的影响。使用凹形微孔制造干细胞球体，并分别用浓度为0、0.01、0.1、1和10 ng/mL的VEGF进行培养。在第1、3、5和7天进行形态学评估，同时使用活/死细胞检测试剂盒和细胞计数试剂盒-8评估细胞活力。测量碱性磷酸酶活性（ALP）和钙沉积以评估成骨分化，并使用qPCR分析成骨标志物表达。所有VEGF浓度下的球体均保持其形状，第1天直径最大为0.01 ng/mL，随后随时间减小。细胞活力在VEGF浓度为0.01 ng/mL时最高，而钙沉积在0.1 ng/mL时达到峰值。包括RUNX2、骨钙素和COL1A1在内的成骨标志物在VEGF浓度为1 ng/mL时显著上调。这些结果表明，VEGF可增强MSC球体中的早期成骨分化，显示出其在骨修复和组织再生方面的潜力。VEGF可应用于骨愈合、骨折修复和再生牙科治疗的临床环境中。
