兔脂肪干细胞在含有转化因子和转铁蛋白培养基中向软骨细胞的分化

背景：成软骨的种子细胞的选择是软骨组织工程研究中的关键因素。 目的：观察脂肪干细胞在含有转化因子和转铁蛋白诱导条件下向软骨细胞分化的能力。 方法：取新西兰大白兔颈背部脂肪组织,机械分离及酶消化法获得脂肪干细胞,显微镜下观察细胞黏附及生长情况;加入含有转化因子β1和转铁蛋白的诱导培养基培养2周后以免疫组化方法检测Ⅱ型胶原的表达。 结果与结论：从兔脂肪组织中分离出的干细胞原代培养时24 h贴壁,96 h后达80%融合;于软骨诱导培养基内向软骨诱导7 d后形成软骨结节,14 d后Ⅱ型胶原免疫组化阳性。结果初步表明兔脂肪干细胞经诱导后可以向软骨细胞分化。     

人软骨细胞培养上清诱导脐血间充质干细胞向软骨细胞分化

背景：人脐血间充质干细胞作为软骨缺损修复的种子细胞日益受到关注,现有常用诱导方法无论是应用诱导培养基还是诱导因子,因其价格昂贵、用量大等因素限制了实际应用。 目的：验证人软骨细胞培养上清诱导人脐血间充质干细胞向软骨细胞分化的可行性。 方法：利用密度梯度离心法和贴壁培养法分离新生儿脐血,获取并培养人脐血间充质干细胞,流式细胞仪鉴定细胞表面抗原。切取股骨头置换或全髋关节置换患者透明软骨组织,体外分离培养软骨细胞,利用其培养上清培养人脐血间充质干细胞,培养2周后观察细胞表型外观变化,免疫组化染色检测Ⅱ型胶原表达结果。 结果与结论：密度梯度离心法与贴壁培养法可以分离获取人脐血间充质干细胞,流式细胞仪鉴定表面标记CD90,CD105高表达,不表达CD34,CD45。软骨细胞培养上清诱导2周后,人脐血间充质干细胞向多角形、圆形转变,Ⅱ型胶原免疫组化检测表达阳性。提示软骨细胞培养上清可诱导人脐血间充质干细胞表达Ⅱ型胶原,向软骨细胞分化。     

滑膜间充质干细胞与软骨细胞三维条件下混合培养向软骨细胞的分化

背景：软骨细胞通过自分泌及旁分泌的作用可以为滑膜间充质干细胞向软骨细胞分化提供所需的生长因子及微环境,三维条件下更有利于细胞的黏附增殖与分化。目的：观察滑膜间充质干细胞与软骨细胞混合培养于壳聚糖/Ⅰ型胶原复合支架材料中向成软骨细胞分化的能力。方法：取SD大鼠滑膜组织及软骨组织,用酶消化法获得滑膜间充质干细胞及软骨细胞分别进行培养。取第3代滑膜间充质干细胞及第2代软骨细胞,将二者以1∶2的比例混合培养负载于壳聚糖/Ⅰ型胶原复合支架材料21 d,进行激光共聚焦扫描及免疫组织化学检测。结果与结论：培养72 h后,扫描电镜观察细胞黏附于支架材料表面,并可见细胞分泌大量基质成分。培养     21 d后,激光共聚焦扫描可见细胞在支架表面分布均匀,逐层扫描后细胞逐渐减少。免疫组织化学检测可见基质能被Ⅱ型胶原染色,细胞染色呈现棕黄色。结果表明壳聚糖/Ⅰ型胶原复合支架材料提供三维生长空间,利用软骨细胞分泌生长因子及细胞间的相互作用可以诱导滑膜间充质干细胞向软骨细胞分化。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：生物材料;骨生物材料; 口腔生物材料; 纳米材料; 缓释材料; 材料相容性;组织工程全文链接：     

两种培养体系条件下人脐带间充质干细胞向软骨细胞的分化

背景：无支架体外诱导间充质干细胞向软骨细胞分化的方法主要包括高密度微团培养、单层细胞培养、与软骨细胞体外共培养等,其中高密度微团培养和体外单层细胞培养因操作简便易行,诱导成功率高受到广泛关注。 目的：寻求一种更佳的无支架体外诱导人脐带间充质干细胞向软骨细胞分化的方法。 方法：组织块法分离人脐带间充质干细胞,流式细胞仪鉴定其表面标志。收集第3代人脐带间充质干细胞分别采用平面诱导培养和离心管聚集成团培养,使其向软骨细胞分化。 结果与结论：人脐带间充质干细胞的细胞表型CD105⁺/CD29⁺/CD44⁺/CD31^-/CD34^-/CD40^-CD45^-/HLA^-DR^-。未诱导的人脐带间充质干细胞表达微弱的软骨细胞标志物,经诱导后葡萄糖胺聚糖和Ⅱ型胶原表达量显著增加,其中聚集成团培养的表达量高于平面培养。实时定量PCR结果显示,诱导后细胞较诱导前均高表达葡萄糖胺聚糖、Ⅱ型胶原和SOX-9 mRNA,其中聚集成团培养的表达量高于平面培养。说明人脐带间充质干细胞在聚集成团培养体系中诱导更有利于其分化成软骨细胞。     

三维培养诱导人脂肪间充质干细胞微球的成软骨分化能力

背景：关节软骨损伤后修复结果不满意,需要新的手段,而脂肪间充质干细胞较适宜做种子细胞诱导软骨,然而怎么能够使诱导的软骨具有功能需要研究。 目的：采用三维培养体系诱导人脂肪间充质干细胞微球向软骨分化。 方法：无菌切取吸脂术后脂肪组织,分离培养人脂肪间充质干细胞,传至第3代进行流式细胞术分析,成骨成脂肪诱导等鉴定,同时也给予合适的培养条件用三维培养的方式向软骨细胞诱导,并行阿利辛蓝染色鉴定糖胺多糖的合成,苏木精-伊红染色进行组织学分析,免疫荧光检测Ⅱ型胶原表达,称质量测量软骨硬度。 结果与结论：分离的人脂肪间充质干细胞CD105,CD44,CD29均高表达,而 CD45,CD34低表达,并且成骨成脂诱导后细胞茜素红染色和油红O染色均为阳性。三维培养法诱导的软骨细胞可表达大量糖胺多糖及Ⅱ型胶原。结果证实,三维培养法诱导人脂肪间充质细胞向软骨分化后,具有软骨细胞的特性。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：干细胞;骨髓干细胞;造血干细胞;脂肪干细胞;肿瘤干细胞;胚胎干细胞;脐带脐血干细胞;干细胞诱导;干细胞分化;组织工程全文链接：     

小鼠间充质干细胞三系分化中SOX9与Ⅱ型胶原mRNA的定量

背景：研究表明,软骨中的主要成分Ⅱ型胶原的基因-Col2a1在软骨细胞中的表达与SOX9 的浓度呈剂量依赖正相关关系。 目的：通过成骨、成软骨、成脂肪诱导干细胞分化,分析3种分化过程及不同时期的SOX9与Ⅱ型胶原 mRNA含量的变化,探讨SOX9在不同时空分布的表达规律及与Ⅱ型胶原的相关关系。 方法：取4周龄昆明小鼠骨髓间充质细胞,体外培养得到间充质干细胞并传达至第3代,对间充质干细胞进行流式细胞仪鉴定细胞表型,共分3组每组设3个时间段,通过成骨、成软骨、成脂肪3种诱导培养液对3组细胞进行诱导,另设不进行诱导的细胞作为对照组。分别在诱导3,7,14 d后收集提取细胞的总RNA,通过RT-PCR进行SOX9与Ⅱ型胶原的mRNA定量检测,同时对诱导后的细胞进行染色、免疫荧光染色,观察其分化状态及相关统计分析。 结果与结论：第3代骨髓间充质干细胞生长良好,流式细胞仪鉴定细胞表型证实为干细胞,对诱导后细胞进行染色、免疫荧光染色结果证实细胞分化为骨、软骨、脂肪细胞。经RT-PCR检测,在3组诱导分化细胞中SOX9 mRNA含量由高到低分别是成软骨、成骨、成脂肪,Ⅱ型胶原 mRNA含量由高到低分别是成软骨、成脂肪、成骨。在成软骨分化中SOX9在3,7 d表达不断升高,14 d呈下降趋势。Ⅱ型胶原在3,7,14 d均逐渐升高。在成骨分化中SOX9 mRNA含量随着时间推移而增加,而Ⅱ型胶原则随着时间推移而不断降低。在成脂肪分化中SOX9 mRNA表达与对照组比较差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05);而Ⅱ型胶原的表达没有规律可循,时间点的延伸及检测未观察到。结果提示,SOX9在软骨分化中作用优于成骨、成脂肪组,且软骨分化中SOX9与Ⅱ型胶原存在相关性,可能在软骨分化的早期Ⅱ型胶原随着SOX9的变化而变化;且软骨分化和成骨分化过程中SOX9可能起到了一个互相协调促进平衡的关键作用。     

骨髓间充质干细胞向软骨细胞的分化

背景：以骨髓间充质干细胞构建组织工程气管尚缺乏理想的特异性表面标志物,对其鉴定主要依赖细胞形态学、细胞表型及诱导分化的功能进行分析。 目的：体外分离培养、鉴定兔骨髓间充质干细胞,观察在特定条件下向气管软骨细胞分化的潜能。 方法：无菌环境取兔骨髓,经全骨髓贴壁筛选法分离培养细胞至第2代,流式细胞术鉴定第1、第2代细胞表面抗原CD44、CD45的表达。无菌环境取气管,经酶消化法分离培养气管软骨细胞,甲苯胺蓝染色鉴定软骨细胞蛋白聚糖的合成。在使用转化生长因子β1的基础上,将骨髓间充质干细胞与气管软骨细胞通过Transwell小室非接触式共培养,倒置显微镜观察细胞形态,甲苯胺蓝染色鉴定蛋白聚糖的合成,荧光实时定量PCR鉴定Ⅱ型胶原和蛋白聚糖 mRNA的表达。 结果与结论：分离、培养的细胞呈长梭形、不规则形聚集生长,传代后细胞生长速度明显增快,呈鱼群状聚集生长。第1代有96.97%的细胞表达CD44、13.72%的细胞表达CD45,第2代有99.11%的细胞表达CD44、8.54%的细胞表达CD45。气管软骨细胞甲苯胺蓝染色阳性。在诱导后,骨髓间充质干细胞形态逐渐由长梭形变为三角形或不规则形,表达软骨细胞特异性Ⅱ型胶原和蛋白聚糖 mRNA基因,甲苯胺蓝染色示阳性。结果表明全骨髓贴壁筛选法可成功分离培养骨髓间充质干细胞,第2代纯度较高,且在特定诱导条件下具有分化为气管软骨细胞的潜能。     

甲状腺素诱导人脐血间充质干细胞向软骨细胞分化中的作用

背景：研究发现共培养可诱导人源干细胞向特定细胞分化,但如何获得更多的组织工程所需的种子细胞是研究中的难题。 目的：探讨不同浓度甲状腺素在人脐血间充质干细胞向兔软骨细胞分化中的作用。 方法：将人脐血间充质干细胞与兔软骨细胞按照2∶1比例共培养,并用含有不同浓度甲状腺素(0,0.01,0.1,1,10 μmol/L)的培养基分组刺激,共培养14 d后分别观察各组细胞形态,并提取细胞RNA和蛋白质,Real-time PCR检测聚集蛋白多糖mRNA及Ⅱ型胶原mRNA表达量,Western blotting技术检测Ⅱ型胶原及聚集蛋白多糖蛋白表达水平。 结果与结论：加入0.01,0.1,1,10 μmol/L的甲状腺素干预后,聚集蛋白多糖、Ⅱ型胶原mRNA和蛋白的表达水平均随甲状腺素浓度增加而增强,与单纯共培养组比较差异有显著性意义(P < 0.05)。实验证明高浓度甲状腺素可增强人脐血间充质干细胞与兔软骨细胞共培养后向软骨细胞分化的能力。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：干细胞;骨髓干细胞;造血干细胞;脂肪干细胞;肿瘤干细胞;胚胎干细胞;脐带脐血干细胞;干细胞诱导;干细胞分化;组织工程全文链接：     

体外诱导人骨髓间充质干细胞分化为软骨细胞的研究

目的：探讨胰岛素样生长因子-Ⅰ（IGF-Ⅰ）和软骨细胞培养液体外诱导骨髓间充质干细胞（MSCs）向软骨细胞分化的可能性。方法：采用Percoll分离液分离培养人胚MSCs，体外扩增，用流式细胞仪测定MSCs的CD44、CD71、CD34、CD45表达；在第4代MSCs中加入的条件培养基进行诱导，根据条件培养基的不同分为4组：①IGF-Ⅰ组：培养基中加入100ng／mL IGF-Ⅰ；②软骨细胞培养液组：加入软骨细胞培养液；③联合诱导组：培养液中加入100ng／mL IGF-Ⅰ和软骨细胞培养液；④对照组：培养基中不加入IGF-Ⅰ和软骨细胞培养液。采用倒置显微镜观察、Ⅱ型胶原免疫组化、细胞内蛋白多糖（PG）含量测定等方法判断诱导细胞的形态变化和表达软骨基质的能力。结果：体外培养的MSCs呈现成纤维细胞样形态，流式细胞仪检测结果显示，MSCs阳性表达CD44，阴性表达CD34，CD45；IGF-Ⅰ和软骨细胞培养液联合诱导15d后，MSCs开始呈现软骨细胞的形态特点，Ⅱ型胶原免疫组化呈阳性，而未诱导的MSCs组呈阴性；联合诱导组细胞内PG含量为8．92μg／ml，显著高于IGF-Ⅰ组、软骨细胞培养液组和对照组，但低于正常软骨细胞（P〈0．01）。结论：IGF-Ⅰ和软骨细胞培养液能诱导MSCs向软骨细胞分化。     

小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞生物学特性和体外诱导分化

目的研究小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞的生物学性状和多系分化潜能。方法取Balb／c小鼠骨髓单个核细胞在低糖的培养液中培养出贴壁生长的细胞,进行形态学观察、细胞周期和免疫表型分析;在不同的因子作用下诱导向成骨细胞、软骨细胞,脂肪细胞分化,并检测诱导后细胞相应的基因表达。结果小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞贴壁生长后形态较均一,增殖能力随着传代逐渐增强,但从第8代后增殖能力明显减退。细胞表达CD29,CD38,CD44,CD106等标记,但CD34和H-2k表达阴性。在不同的诱导培养体系里间充质干细胞能分化为成骨细胞、软骨细胞和脂肪细胞,相应的骨钙蛋白基因,Ⅱ型胶原基因,脂蛋白脂酶基因表达都明显增强。结论从小鼠骨髓可以分离培养出间充质干细胞,在体外有效扩增和诱导分化。表明可以以小鼠为模型研究间充质干细胞在组织工程、细胞移植、基因治疗等领域的运用。     

三维环境下软骨细胞诱导滑膜间充质干细胞向软骨样细胞的分化

BACKGROUND: The co-culture of chondrocytes and synovial mesenchymal stem cells can induce the cartilage differentiation of synovial mesenchymal stem cells in vitro, but the cell differentiation induced by co-culture in vivo is rarely reported. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the chondrogenic differentiation of synovial mesenchymal stem cells co-cultured with chondrocytes on the chitosan/type I collagen composite scaffolds after being transplanted into the subcutaneous layer of Sprague-Dawley rats. METHODS: The synovial mesenchymal stem cells and chondrocytes harvested from the synovial membrane and articular cartilage of Sprague-Dawley rats were obtained by enzyme digestion method and cultured respectively. Passage 3 synovial mesenchymal stem cells and passage 2 chondrocytes, which were divided into four groups: group A (chondrocytes alone), group B (synovial mesenchymal stem cells alone), group C (ratio of synovial mesenchymal stem cells:chondrocytes=1:2) and group D (scaffold material without cells), were cultured on chitosan/type I collagen composite scaffolds and transplanted into the subcutaneous layer of rats followed by morphological observation and immunohistochemical staining at 4 and 8 weeks.   . RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After 4 and 8 weeks, the discoid-like scaffold was visible. The immunohistochemical staining of type II collagen and the toluidine blue staining of aggrecan were significantly positive in groups A and C. These results show that the co-culture of synovial mesenchymal stem cells and chondrocytes on the scaffold in vivo can form cartilage-like tissues.      

Adenovirus-mediated expression of growth and differentiation factor-5 promotes chondrogenesis of adipose stem cells

The repair of articular cartilage injuries is impeded by the avascular and non-innervated nature of cartilage. Transplantation of autologous chondrocytes has a limited ability to augment the repair process due to the highly differentiated state of chondrocytes and the risks of donor-site morbidity. Mesenchymal stem cells can undergo chondrogenesis in the presence of growth factors for cartilage defect repair. Growth and differentiation factor-5 (GDF5) plays an important role in chondrogenesis. In this study, we examined the effects of GDF5 on chondrogenesis of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and evaluate the chondrogenic potentials of GDF5 genetically engineered ADSCs using an in vitro pellet culture model. Rat ADSCs were grown as pellet cultures and treated with chondrogenic media (CM). Induction of GDF5 by an adenovirus (Ad-GDF5) was compared with exogenous supplementation of GDF5 (100 ng/ml) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1; 10 ng/ml). The ADSCs underwent chondrogenic differentiation in response to GDF5 exposure as demonstrated by production of proteoglycan, and up-regulation of collagen II and aggrecan at the protein and mRNA level. The chondrogenic potential of a one-time infection with Ad-GDF5 was weaker than exogenous GDF5, but equal to that of TGF-β1. Stimulation with growth factors or CM alone induced transient expression of the mRNA for collagen X, indicating a need for optimization of the CM. Our findings indicate that GDF5 is a potent inducer of chondrogenesis in ADSCs, and that ADSCs genetically engineered to express prochondrogenic growth factors, such as GDF5, may be a promising therapeutic cell source for cartilage tissue engineering.     

Differentiation Capacity of Human Chondrocytes Embedded in Alginate Matrix

Healing capacity of cartilage is low. Thus, cartilage defects do not regenerate as hyaline but mostly as fibrous cartilage which is a major drawback since this tissue is not well adapted to the mechanical loading within the joint. During in vitro cultivation in monolayers, chondrocytes proliferate and de-differentiate to fibroblasts. In three-dimensional cell cultures, de-differentiated chondrocytes could re-differentiate toward the chondrogenic lineage and re-express the chondrogenic phenotype. The objective of this study was to characterize the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) potential of human chondrocytes isolated from articular cartilage. Furthermore, the differentiation capacity of human chondrocytes in three-dimensional cell cultures was analyzed to target differentiation direction into hyaline cartilage. After isolation and cultivation of chondrogenic cells, the expression of the MSC-associated markers: cluster of differentiation (CD)166, CD44, CD105, and CD29 was performed by flow cytometry. The differentiation capacity of human chondrocytes was analyzed in alginate matrix cultured in Dulbecco’s modified eagle medium with (chondrogenic stimulation) and without (control) chondrogenic growth factors. Additionally, the expression of collagen type II, aggrecan, and glycosaminoglycans was determined. Cultivated chondrocytes showed an enhanced expression of the MSC-associated markers with increasing passages. After chondrogenic stimulation in alginate matrix, the chondrocytes revealed a significant increase of cell number compared with unstimulated cells. Further, a higher synthesis rate of glycosaminoglycans and a positive collagen type II and aggrecan immunostaining was detected in stimulated alginate beads. Human chondrocytes showed plasticity whilst cells were encapsulated in alginate and stimulated by growth factors. Stimulated cells demonstrated characteristics of chondrogenic re-differentiation due to collagen type II and aggrecan synthesis.     

Differentiation capacity of human chondrocytes embedded in alginate matrix

Healing capacity of cartilage is low. Thus, cartilage defects do not regenerate as hyaline but mostly as fibrous cartilage which is a major drawback since this tissue is not well adapted to the mechanical loading within the joint. During in vitro cultivation in monolayers, chondrocytes proliferate and de-differentiate to fibroblasts. In three-dimensional cell cultures, de-differentiated chondrocytes could re-differentiate toward the chondrogenic lineage and re-express the chondrogenic phenotype. The objective of this study was to characterize the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) potential of human chondrocytes isolated from articular cartilage. Furthermore, the differentiation capacity of human chondrocytes in three-dimensional cell cultures was analyzed to target differentiation direction into hyaline cartilage. After isolation and cultivation of chondrogenic cells, the expression of the MSC-associated markers: cluster of differentiation (CD)166, CD44, CD105, and CD29 was performed by flow cytometry. The differentiation capacity of human chondrocytes was analyzed in alginate matrix cultured in Dulbecco?s modified eagle medium with (chondrogenic stimulation) and without (control) chondrogenic growth factors. Additionally, the expression of collagen type II, aggrecan, and glycosaminoglycans was determined. Cultivated chondrocytes showed an enhanced expression of the MSC-associated markers with increasing passages. After chondrogenic stimulation in alginate matrix, the chondrocytes revealed a significant increase of cell number compared with unstimulated cells. Further, a higher synthesis rate of glycosaminoglycans and a positive collagen type II and aggrecan immunostaining was detected in stimulated alginate beads. Human chondrocytes showed plasticity whilst cells were encapsulated in alginate and stimulated by growth factors. Stimulated cells demonstrated characteristics of chondrogenic re-differentiation due to collagen type II and aggrecan synthesis.     

Adenovirus-mediated expression of growth and differentiation factor-5 promotes chondrogenesis of adipose stem cells

The repair of articular cartilage injuries is impeded by the avascular and non-innervated nature of cartilage. Transplantation of autologous chondrocytes has a limited ability to augment the repair process due to the highly differentiated state of chondrocytes and the risks of donor-site morbidity. Mesenchymal stem cells can undergo chondrogenesis in the presence of growth factors for cartilage defect repair. Growth and differentiation factor-5 (GDF5) plays an important role in chondrogenesis. In this study, we examined the effects of GDF5 on chondrogenesis of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and evaluate the chondrogenic potentials of GDF5 genetically engineered ADSCs using an in vitro pellet culture model. Rat ADSCs were grown as pellet cultures and treated with chondrogenic media (CM). Induction of GDF5 by an adenovirus (Ad-GDF5) was compared with exogenous supplementation of GDF5 (100 ng/ml) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta1; 10 ng/ml). The ADSCs underwent chondrogenic differentiation in response to GDF5 exposure as demonstrated by production of proteoglycan, and up-regulation of collagen II and aggrecan at the protein and mRNA level. The chondrogenic potential of a one-time infection with Ad-GDF5 was weaker than exogenous GDF5, but equal to that of TGF-beta1. Stimulation with growth factors or CM alone induced transient expression of the mRNA for collagen X, indicating a need for optimization of the CM. Our findings indicate that GDF5 is a potent inducer of chondrogenesis in ADSCs, and that ADSCs genetically engineered to express prochondrogenic growth factors, such as GDF5, may be a promising therapeutic cell source for cartilage tissue engineering.     

人脂肪来源间充质干细胞成骨及成软骨的潜能

背景：人脂肪来源间充质干细胞是种具有较强的体外增殖和多系分化能力的成体干细胞,可以从美容吸脂手术中获得,取材方便,原料来源丰富,在生物治疗应用方面蕴藏着巨大的价值。 目的：体外分离、培养人脂肪来源间充质干细胞,探讨其基本生物学特性及成骨成软骨的潜能。 方法：取美容吸脂获得的脂肪组织,采用Ⅱ型胶原酶消化法分离人脂肪来源间充质干细胞并进行体外培养;观察细胞形态、测定细胞周期、流式细胞仪鉴定细胞表面标志;取第3代细胞,分别加入成骨诱导培养基及成软骨诱导培养基行体外成骨及成软骨诱导。 结果与结论：体外培养人脂肪来源间充质干细胞呈纤维样形态,原代细胞24 h内贴壁,培养5~7 d 后开始形成细胞集落;经细胞周期检测显示G₀/G₁,S和G₂/M所占比例分别为(88±2)%,(12±2)%和0.03%。经流式细胞仪检测CD29和CD105呈阳性表达,CD34和CD45呈阴性表达。RT-PCR检测显示,人脂肪间充质干细胞经成骨诱导分化后细胞中骨桥蛋白mRNA呈阳性表达,经软骨诱导分化后细胞中Ⅱ型胶原mRNA呈阳性表达。结果证实,实验成功体外分离、培养人脂肪来源间充质干细胞,其具有向成骨细胞和软骨细胞分化的潜能。     

Characterization of human adipose-derived stem cells and expression of chondrogenic genes during induction of cartilage differentiation

OBJECTIVES:

Understanding the changes in chondrogenic gene expression that are involved in the differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells to chondrogenic cells is important prior to using this approach for cartilage repair. The aims of the study were to characterize human adipose-derived stem cells and to examine chondrogenic gene expression after one, two, and three weeks of induction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Human adipose-derived stem cells at passage 4 were evaluated by flow cytometry to examine the expression of surface markers. These adipose-derived stem cells were tested for adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation capacity. Ribonucleic acid was extracted from the cells for quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis to determine the expression levels of chondrogenic genes after chondrogenic induction.

RESULTS:

Human adipose-derived stem cells were strongly positive for the mesenchymal markers CD90, CD73, CD44, CD9, and histocompatibility antigen and successfully differentiated into adipogenic and osteogenic lineages. The human adipose-derived stem cells aggregated and formed a dense matrix after chondrogenic induction. The expression of chondrogenic genes (collagen type II, aggrecan core protein, collagen type XI, COMP, and ELASTIN) was significantly higher after the first week of induction. However, a significantly elevated expression of collagen type X was observed after three weeks of chondrogenic induction.

CONCLUSION:

Human adipose-derived stem cells retain stem cell characteristics after expansion in culture to passage 4 and serve as a feasible source of cells for cartilage regeneration. Chondrogenesis in human adipose-derived stem cells was most prominent after one week of chondrogenic induction.