In vitro and in vivo co‐culture of chondrocytes and bone marrow stem cells in photocrosslinked PCL–PEG–PCL hydrogels enhances cartilage formation |
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| Authors: | Shu‐Rui Yang Tsai‐Yu Lin Sydney Peng Yu‐Shiang Peng Ming‐Huei Cheng I‐Ming Chu |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan, Republic of China;2. Division of Reconstructive Microsurgery, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan, Republic of China;3. Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Taiwan, Republic of China |
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| Abstract: | ![]()
Chondrocytes (CH) and bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) are sources that can be used in cartilage tissue engineering. Co‐culture of CHs and BMSCs is a promising strategy for promoting chondrogenic differentiation. In this study, articular CHs and BMSCs were encapsulated in PCL–PEG–PCL photocrosslinked hydrogels for 4 weeks. Various ratios of CH:BMSC co‐cultures were investigated to identify the optimal ratio for cartilage formation. The results thus obtained revealed that co‐culturing CHs and BMSCs in hydrogels provides an appropriate in vitro microenvironment for chondrogenic differentiation and cartilage matrix production. Co‐culture with a 1:4 CH:BMSC ratio significantly increased the synthesis of GAGs and collagen. In vivo cartilage regeneration was evaluated using a co‐culture system in rabbit models. The co‐culture system exhibited a hyaline chondrocyte phenotype with excellent regeneration, resembling the morphology of native cartilage. This finding suggests that the co‐culture of these two cell types promotes cartilage regeneration and that the system, including the hydrogel scaffold, has potential in cartilage tissue engineering. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
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| Keywords: | co‐culture hydrogels cartilage autologous cell tissue engineering bone marrow stem cells |
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