Effects of Graphene Quantum Dots on the Osteogenic Differentiation of Stem Cells from Human Endometrial

Background and aim: Cell-therapy is an important science because of using to treatment of critical-sized bone defects. Recent studies in this field suggest that human endometrial derived stem cells can be a great source. On the other hand, graphene and its derivatives, mainly graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have recently attracted much attention as effective factors in differentiating stem cells towards osteoblastic lineage. So the aim of this study is evaluation of the effect of adding GQDs to standard osteogenic medium and the effect it has on the differentiation of endometrial stem cells. Methods: The present research was an experimental study carried out in the cell culture research laboratory of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz in 2019.  After the cell isolation by collagenase enzyme and purifying endometrial stem cells extracted from uterus tissue, the cells in two groups including the control group that the cells was cultured in standard osteogenic medium while the cells of the experimental group were cultured in the same medium with the addition of graphene quantum dots at a concentration of 50 μg mL-1.Then the data was evaluated using alizarin red staining, the activity of alkaline phosphatase, and qRT-PCR method for gene expression.  Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Results: In here for the first time, the results of the interaction between GQDs and endometrial derived stem cells were showed in in vitro condition and confirmed that the presence of GQDs in the osteogenic medium can lead to significant incrassation in osteogenic differentiation efficiency of endometrial cells. Indeed, alkaline phosphatase activity and formation of calcium nodules (that are given more intensity by alizarin red) were significantly increased more in the experimental group compared with the control group which indicates earlier and better activation of osteogenesis in the experimental group. These results were confirmed with the significant up-regulation of phenotypically related osteogenic genes (Runx2, osteopontin, and osteocalcin) which were measured using a qRT-PCR technique. Conclusion:  These results show that using a standard osteogenic medium with addition of graphene quantum dots in conjunction with endometrium derived stem cell can have potential use in the field of osteoblast differentiation with a significant efficiency increase and cell-therapy.