Inorganic Biomaterials Shape the Transcriptome Profile to Induce Endochondral Differentiation

We investigate cellular responses to traditional bioactive mineral-based nanomaterials, such as hydroxyapatite (nHA), whitlockite (nWH), silicon-dioxide (nSiO2), and the emerging synthetic 2D nanosilicates (nSi), on human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Specifically, using next-generation transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq), we uncover key signaling pathways and transcriptome dynamics due to exposure to these inorganic nanomaterials. Whole-transcriptome sequencing identified a stabilized skeletal progenitor state in stem cells treated with nanosilicates that suggests endochondral differentiation of hMSCs, resulting in increased deposition of matrix mineralization compared with control or other treatment groups. Overall design: Examination of effect of inorganic nanomaterials nSi, nWH, nHA, and nSiO2 on hMSC fate