Fibronectin and type I collagen enhance meniscus-derived stem cell function through FAK-mediated signaling pathways

Meniscus-derived stem cells (MeSCs) are a type of mesenchymal stem cell that can be cultured in vitro but lack optimized protocols. This study aims to evaluate the effects of type I/II collagen (Col1A1 and Col2A1), fibronectin (FN), and laminin (LN) on MeSCs’ proliferation, mitochondrial function, migration, cell senescence, and gene expression. Therefore, human MeSCs from six donors were cultured in vitro with Col1A1, Col2A1, FN, and LN, as well as Col1A1 and FN combined with the FAK inhibitor. Cell proliferation was assessed by cell counting; activities of mitochondrial complexes I–V, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and ATP were assessed by colorimetric analysis; migration by wound-healing assays; senescence via β-galactosidase activity, gene expression by quantitative PCR, and protein expression and phosphorylation using ELISA. The results indicated that Col1A1 and FN reduced cell senescence and increased cell proliferation, mitochondrial complex (I, III, IV, and V) activity, Δψm, ATP levels, and migration rate by activating FAK-related pathways. Col2A1 suppressed the expression of stemness genes, whereas FN promoted their expression. The findings suggest that ECM proteins are regulated by FAK-related pathways in MeSCs. This study is a preliminary study to identify the effects and molecular mechanisms of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins on MeSCs.