Widespread Changes in Transcriptome Profile of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Induced by Two-Dimensional (2D) Nanosilicates

Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, an ultrathin class of materials such as graphene, nanoclays, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), and transition metal oxides (TMOs), have emerged as a new generation of materials due to their unique properties relative to macroscale counterparts. However, little is known about the transcriptome dynamics following exposure to these nanomaterials. Here we investigate the interactions of 2D nanosilicates, a layered clay, with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) at the whole transcriptome level by high-throughput sequencing (RNA-seq). Analysis of cell-nanosilicate interactions by monitoring change in transcriptome profile uncovers key biophysical and biochemical cellular pathways triggered by nanosilicates. A widespread alteration of genes is observed due to nanosilicate exposure as more than 4,000 genes are differentially expressed. The change in mRNA expression levels reveal clathrin-mediated endocytosis of nanosilicates. Nanosilicate attachment to cell membrane and subsequent cellular internalization activate stress-responsive pathways such as mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), which subsequently directs hMSC differentiation towards osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages. This study provides transcriptomic insight on the role of surface-mediated cellular signaling triggered by nanomaterials and enables development of nanomaterials-based therapeutics for regenerative medicine. This approach in understanding nanomaterial-cell interactions, illustrates how change in transcriptomic profile can predict downstream effects following nanomaterial treatment. Examination of affect of 2D nanosilicates on hMSCs