Macrophages activated by akermanite/alginate composite hydrogel stimulate migration of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Akermanite (Aker) has been widely used for bone regeneration through regulating osteogenesis of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Previously, we developed an injectable Aker/sodium alginate (Aker/SA) hydrogel to facilitate bone regeneration. However, the effect of this injectable hydrogel on the in vivo response, particularly the inflammatory response, has not been fully understood. Here, to elucidate the response following the implantable of Aker/SA hydrogel, we investigated the interaction among Aker/SA hydrogel, inflammatory cells and cells involved in bone regeneration (BMSCs). Specifically, we cultured macrophages (RAW 264.7 cell line) with the extract liquid of Aker/SA and assessed their phenotypic changes. Subsequently, BMSCs (2 × 105 cells per 24 well) were cultured with different conditioned media including that of Aker/SA hydrogel-activated macrophages to investigate their effect on cell migration. Finally, Aker/SA hydrogel was injected subcutaneously (1 × 106 cells ml-1) in rat to verify its effect in vivo. The in vitro results indicated that Aker/SA hydrogel activated macrophages towards M2 phenotype and stimulated macrophages to express anti-inflammatory factors. In addition, the conditioned medium collected from Aker-activated macrophages could accelerate the migration of BMSCs in 24 h. Consistent with the in vitro results, when the Aker/SA hydrogel was injected subcutaneously, more M2 macrophages could be observed than when the SA solution was injected after 7 d. Besides, when BMSCs were delivered via subcutaneous injection, more BMSCs were recruited by the Aker/SA hydrogel than the SA solution. All these results suggest that the Aker/SA hydrogel can modulate the immune environment at the implantation site and subsequently recruit BMSCs, which can be one of the mechanisms through which the Aker/SA hydrogel accelerates new bone formation.