Matrix stiffness and oxigen tension modulate epigenetic conversion of mouse dermal fibroblasts into insulin producing cells.

In vivo, cells are surrounded by a three-dimensional (3-D) organization of supporting matrix, neighboring cells and a gradient of chemical and mechanical signals (Antoni, et al. , 2015). However, the present understanding of many biological processes is mainly based on two-dimensional (2-D) systems that typically provides a static environment. In the present study, we tested two different 3-D culture systems and apply them to the epigenetic conversion of mouse dermal fibroblasts into insulin producing-cells (Pennarossa, et al. , 2013; Brevini, et al ., 2015), combining also the use of two oxygen tensions. In particular, cells were differentiated using the Polytetrafluoroethylene micro-bioreactor (PTFE) and the Polyacrylamide (PAA) gels with different stiffness (1 kPa; 4 kPa), maintained either in the standard 20% or in the more physiological 5% oxygen tensions. Standard differentiation performed on plastic substrates was assessed as a control. Cell morphology (Fig.1A), insulin expression and release were analyzed to evaluate the role of both stiffness and oxygen tension in the process. The results obtained showed that 1 kPa PAA gel and PTFE system induced a significantly higher insulin expression and release than plastic and 4 kPa PAA gel, especially in low oxygen condition (Fig.1B). Furthermore, comparing the efficiency of the two systems tested, 1 kPa PAA gel ensured a higher insulin transcription than PTFE (Fig.1C). Recent studies show the direct influence of substrates on lineage commitment and cell differentiation (Engler, et al ., 2006; Evans, et al ., 2009). The evidence here presented confirm that the use of an appropriate stiffness (similar to the pancreatic tissue), combined with a physiological oxygen tension, promote β-cell differentiation, with beneficial effects on cell functional activity and insulin release. The present results highlight the importance of 3-D cell rearrangement and oxigen tension to promote in vitro epigenetic conversion of mouse fibroblasts into insulin-producing cells.