Large-scale analysis of microRNA expression in osteoblastic cells grown on bioglasses

Abstract

Bone tissue engineering uses the combination of cells, biochemical factors and scaffolds to replace bone tissue and recover its biological functions. Among the biomaterials that have been employed as scaffolds, bioactive glasses emerge as a promising alternative, due to their ability to stimulate in vitro osteogenesis. This process may be regulated by post-transcriptional mechanisms involving the expression of microRNAs (miRs) that may control cell proliferation and differentiation, including in vitro osteoblastic differentiation and in vivo bone formation. In this context, the aim of this study is to compare the expression of miRs in osteoblastic cells grown on two bioglass formulations, Biosilicate and Biosilicate for scaffolds, using the microarray technique. Such analysis and comparison can contribute to the understanding of the intracellular mechanisms involved in the interaction between these biomaterials and bone tissue and, thus, to the development of new strategies to engineer bone tissue. The present study is a relevant supplement of the project entitled "Engenharia de tecidos: Efeito da associação entre células e bio-sca sobre o reparo de defeitos ósseos", supported by FAPESP as research project (2012/23879-5) and PhD scholarship (2012/23525-9). (AU)