同种异体和异种来源骨髓间充质干细胞诱导成软骨修复喉软骨缺损

BACKGROUND: Because chondrocytes have no regeneration ability, to select suitable seed cells is the primary problem to repair cartilage defects. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of allogeneic versus heterologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in repairing laryngeal cartilage defects after chondrogenic induction. METHODS: BMSCs from human and rabbits were isolated and cultured. Passage 3 cells were cultured in chondrogenic induction medium containing transforming transforming growth factor beta 1 and bone morphogenetic protein, and then were dropped onto a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold. Thirty New Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned into three groups: blank control group, human BMSCs group, rabbit BMSCs group. Animal models of laryngeal cartilage defects were made in the three groups. After modeling, saline-soaked PLGA scaffold, PLAG scaffold with human BMSCs or with rabbit BMSCs were implanted respectively into the rabbits in the normal blank, human BMSCs and rabbit BMSCs groups. The expression of type II collagen in the larynx and its surrounding tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The animals in each group breathed normally with no presence of wheezing, and their eating and activity were good. Moreover, there was no purulency or infection in the three groups. At 4 and 8 weeks after operation, the positive rates of type II collagen in the two BMSCs groups were significantly higher than that in the blank control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between two BMSCs groups (P > 0.05). These results show that both allogeneic and heterologous BMSCs have good therapeutic effects on the repair of laryngeal cartilage defects in rabbits.      

An in vitro study of collagen hydrogel to induce the chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells

It is controversial whether a biomaterial itself, rather than addition of any exogenous growth factor, could induce mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to differentiate into chondrogenic lineage, further to regenerate cartilage. Previous studies have shown that collagen-based hydrogel could induce MSCs to differentiate into chondrocytes in vivo but the in vitro studies only have a few reports. The evidence that biomaterials could induce chondrogenesis is not adequate. In this study, we tried to address whether type I collagen hydrogel has chondro-inductive capability in vitro and how this scaffold induces MSCs to generate cartilage tissue without exogenous growth factors in the culture medium. We encapsulated neonatal rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in type I collagen hydrogel homogeneously or implanted cell aggregates in hydrogel, and cultured them in nonchondrogenic inductive media. After at least 28 days culture, cells in the homogeneous group were tending to chondrogenic differentiation while cell density was high, and cells in the aggregate group have almost gone through chondrogenesis and formed neo-cartilage tissue with abundant specific extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. These results indicate collagen hydrogel has inherent inductivity for the chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs, and the optimum specification and tissue formation were accompanied with local high cell density. This research suggests a feasible strategy to induce the chondro differentiation of BMSCs independent of exogenous growth factors, which may greatly contribute to clinical cartilage regeneration. ? 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A 100A: 2717-2725, 2012.     

共沉默miR-221-3p/222-3p表达抑制骨髓间充质干细胞增殖及促成软骨分化

背景：基于干细胞的组织工程技术作为治疗骨关节损伤修复的有效手段,具有广泛的应用前景。研究表明miRNA在调控干细胞向软骨分化过程中具有重要的作用。 目的：探讨共感染慢病毒介导的反义miR-221-3p/222-3p(microRNA-221-3p,microRNA-222-3p)对人骨髓间充质干细胞成软骨分化的作用,为临床软骨损伤修复提供新的策略。 方法：利用miRNA基因芯片技术筛选转化生长因子β3诱导人骨髓间充质干细胞成软骨分化过程中不同阶段表达差异的miRNA,并利用荧光实时定量PCR(RT-qPCR)验证;构建慢病毒人反义miR-221-3p/222-3p载体(Lv-miR-221-3p-inhibition,Lv-miR-222-3p-inhibition)并共转染人骨髓间充质干细胞,空载体组(Lv-GFP)以及未转染组作为对照。利用CCK-8法检测沉默miR-221-3p/222-3p 6 d后细胞的增殖情况;通过番红O染色法、免疫组织化学方法以及RT-PCR验证各组软骨诱导21 d后软骨分化相关标志物的表达。 结果与结论：构建的Lv-miRNA-221-3p/222-3p inhibition 共转染人骨髓间充质干细胞,成功沉默了细胞中的miR-221-3p/222-3p表达水平;miRNA基因芯片与RT-qPCR验证结果显示miR-221-3p/222-3p在软骨分化后期表达明显降低;转染组与未转染组以及空载体组相比：①细胞增殖明显受到抑制。②番红Ｏ染色以及免疫组织化学显示软骨分化特征标志物硫酸软骨素以及Ⅱ型胶原表达增强。③RT-qPCR也证实硫酸软骨素以及Ⅱ型胶原的mRNA表达也明显上调。结果显示沉默人骨髓间充质干细胞miRNA-221-3p/222-3p,抑制了细胞增殖并促进了成软骨分化。  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     

骨髓间充质干细胞复合多肽凝胶及成软骨生成因子修复兔关节软骨缺损

背景：多肽水凝胶因为其具有良好的可塑型性,能够与损伤部位很好的无缝隙结合,所以采用该材料作为支架是骨、软骨组织工程中一种可行的探索。 目的：骨髓间充质干细胞联合新型可注射多肽凝胶及成软骨生成因子修复兔关节软骨缺损,观察其修复效果。 方法：首先分离培养兔骨髓间充质干细胞,兔左侧膝关节处制备直径5 mm,深3 mm的全层骨-软骨缺损模型;右侧造模后空置作为对照。实验分为3组,单纯自组装多肽凝胶移植组,自组装多肽凝胶+成软骨因子组和自组装多肽凝胶+成软骨因子+骨髓间充质干细胞组。采用的成软骨因子包括转化生长因子β1,地塞米松和胰岛素样生长因子1,三者混合后加入到自组装多肽凝胶或骨髓间充质干细胞中。于处理后12周时处死动物行大体及组织学观察、X射线摄片、免疫组织化学法进行组织学评分评估修复情况。 结果与结论：单纯自组装多肽凝胶移植在12周后显示出非常好的修复效果,可见番红O染色,Ⅱ型胶原蛋白免疫组织化学染色强度以及组织学评分明显高于其他组(P < 0.05)。自组装多肽凝胶+成软骨因子组修复效果较好,与自组装多肽凝胶组相似,但其修复区域蛋白聚糖表达比对照组明显升高(P < 0.01)。自组装多肽凝胶+成软骨因子+骨髓间充质干细胞组修复效果不佳,12周未能完全修复缺损区域,与单纯自组装多肽凝胶组比较骨赘的形成有所增加。结果表明,单纯自组装多肽凝胶能够在原位修复骨软骨缺损并促进软骨修复,提示以自组装多肽凝胶支架移植有望提高目前修复软骨缺损的效果。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：     

Glucocorticoids promote chondrogenic differentiation of adult human mesenchymal stem cells by enhancing expression of cartilage extracellular matrix genes

In the adult human, mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) resident in the bone marrow retain the capacity to proliferate and differentiate along multiple connective tissue lineages, including cartilage. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are required for chondrogenic differentiation of hMSCs in vitro; however, the exact role of GCs in this process is not known. In this study, we examined the effects of dexamethasone (DEX) on chondrogenic differentiation of hMSCs in the presence or absence of DEX, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), or DEX plus TGF-beta. GC treatment upregulated gene expression of cartilage matrix components aggrecan, dermatopontin, and collagen type XI; enhanced TGF-beta-mediated upregulation of collagen type II and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein; and increased aggrecan and collagen type II production as well as cartilage matrix-sulfated proteoglycans as assessed by immunohistochemistry and alcian blue staining. Inclusion of an antagonist of GCs inhibited expression of chondrogenic differentiation markers, suggesting that the GC effects during chondrogenesis are mediated by the GC receptor (GR). Steady levels of the major active form of GR, GRalpha, were detected in both undifferentiated and differentiating hMSCs, whereas the dominant-negative isoform GRbeta, present at low levels in undifferentiated hMSCs, was downregulated during chondrogenesis. In the presence of DEX and TGF-beta, expression of a collagen type II gene promoter luciferase reporter construct in hMSCs was upregulated. However, coexpression of GRbeta dramatically inhibited promoter activity, suggesting that GRalpha is required for GC-mediated modulation of chondrogenesis and that GCs may play an important role in the maintenance of cartilage homeostasis.     

软基质力学特性对滑膜间充质干细胞向软骨细胞分化的干预作用

背景：课题组前期研究表明,较软的培养基质对大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞的形态及细胞骨架有明显的影响。 目的：探讨不同弹性模量的聚丙烯酰胺凝胶软基质对人滑膜间充质干细胞向软骨细胞分化的影响。 方法：无菌条件下获取骨关节炎患者滑膜组织,有限稀释法获得原代人滑膜间充质干细胞,流式细胞术进行细胞表面标记物鉴定,多向诱导分化实验进行功能鉴定。用丙烯酰胺和甲叉双丙烯酰胺制备0.4,6,30 kPa 3个弹性模量的聚丙烯酰胺凝胶软基质作为培养人滑膜间充质干细胞的基底,在转化生长因子β1存在的情况下分别培养7 d和14 d,RT-PCR方法检测软骨形成相关基因COL2A1、CRTAC1 mRNA的表达,以6孔细胞培养板作为对照组。 结果与结论：在不同弹性模量上生长的人滑膜间充质干细胞表现出不同的细胞形态;软基质的弹性模量及培养时间对人滑膜间充质干细胞成软骨基因COL2A1、CRTAC1的表达有交互作用：7 d时,CRTAC1 mRNA在6 kPa弹性模量聚丙烯酰胺凝胶上表达量最高(F=44.350,P=0.000);7 d时,COL2A1 mRNA在0.4 kPa弹性模量聚丙烯酰胺软基质上的表达量最高(F=6.384,P=0.005)。较低弹性模量的聚丙烯酰胺凝胶软基质比常规细胞培养板更具有促进滑膜间充质干细胞向软骨细胞分化的作用。 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      

Effect of nicotine on chondrogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in alginate bead culture

This study was carried out to explore environmental compound such as nicotine can cause adverse effect on chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Rat BMSCs were capsulated in alginate beads incubated with a chondrogenic differentiation medium and while chondrogenic differentiation of rat BMSCs were cultured for 4 weeks treated with nicotine at concentrations of 25, 50 and 100 μM. The effect of nicotine on BMSCs viability was tested using MTT assay. After chondrogenic differentiation, alginate beads sections were stained for glycosaminoglycan (GAG) with alcian blue and safranin-O. The mRNA expression of chondrogenesis related genes, including collagen type 2 alpha 1 (Col2A1), aggrecan, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were determined by RT-PCR. Nicotine did not affect viability of BMSCs at any indicated concentration. Continuous exposure to nicotine for 4 weeks resulted in significant decrease of the area stained with alcian blue and safranin-O in a concentration-dependent manner compared with the control (P<0.05). After 4 weeks in chondrogenic medium, nicotine dose-dependently decreased the expression of aggrecan, Col2A1 and IGF-1 genes in rat BMSCs chondrogenesis compared with the control (P<0.05). It turned out that nicotine suppresses chondrogenic differentiation potential of BMSCs, leading to a poorly differentiated cartilage.     

Induction of intervertebral disc-like cells from adult mesenchymal stem cells

The potential of adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to differentiate towards cartilage, bone, adipose tissue, or muscle is well established. However, the capacity of MSCs to differentiate towards intervertebral disc (IVD)-like cells is unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the molecular phenotype of human IVD cells and articular chondrocytes and to analyze whether mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate towards both cell types after transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta)-mediated induction in vitro. Bone marrow-derived MSCs were differentiated in spheroid culture towards the chondrogenic lineage in the presence of TGF beta(3) dexamethasone, and ascorbate. A customized cDNA-array comprising 45 cartilage-, bone-, and stem cell-relevant genes was used to quantify gene expression profiles. After TGF beta-mediated differentiation, MSC spheroids turned positive for collagen type II protein and expressed a large panel of genes characteristic for chondrocytes, including aggrecan, decorin, fibromodulin, and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, although at levels closer to IVD tissue than to hyaline articular cartilage. Like IVD tissue, the spheroids were strongly positive for collagen type I and osteopontin. MSC spheroids expressed more differentiation markers at higher levels than culture-expanded IVD cells and chondrocytes, which both dedifferentiated in monolayer culture. In conclusion, mesenchymal stem cells adopted a gene expression profile that resembled native IVD tissue more closely than native joint cartilage. Thus, these cells may represent an attractive source from which to obtain IVD-like cells, whereas modification of culture conditions is required to approach the molecular phenotype of chondrocytes in hyaline cartilage.     

胰岛素样生长因子1对骨髓间充质干细胞软骨分化及基质金属蛋白酶表达的影响

背景：以往促进骨髓间充质干细胞软骨分化的研究,多将胰岛素样生长因子1作为辅助因子与其他细胞因子联合应用,而胰岛素样生长因子1单独应用能否促进骨髓间充质干细胞分泌软骨特异性胶原仍存在争议,其对骨髓间充质干细胞软骨分化及软骨胶原纤维稳定性的影响尚不清楚。 目的：观察胰岛素样生长因子1对骨髓间充质干细胞软骨分化以及基质金属蛋白酶表达的影响。 方法：构建含有胰岛素样生长因子1基因完整编码区的表达载体,稳定转染至大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞,设为胰岛素样生长因子1稳定转染组,同时设未转染组作对照。 结果与结论：MTT检测结果显示,实验成功筛选得到胰岛素样生长因子1稳定过表达的骨髓间充质干细胞,转染后4 d,细胞增殖能力显著增强(P < 0.05)。RT-PCR,Western blot法及免疫细胞化学检测结果显示,与未转染组相比,胰岛素样生长因子1稳定转染组细胞胰岛素样生长因子1,Ⅱ型胶原 mRNA和蛋白的表达水平均显著升高(P < 0.01),基质金属蛋白酶1,2,3 mRNA表达显著降低(P < 0.01)。结果证实,单独应用胰岛素样生长因子1能够有效促进骨髓间充质干细胞的增殖以及软骨分化,并维持软骨胶原纤维的稳定性。     

Chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiations of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on a nanofibrous scaffold with designed pore network

The utilization of 3D scaffolds and stem cells is a promising approach to solve the problem of bone and cartilage tissue shortage and to construct osteochondral (cartilage/bone composite) tissues. In this study, 3D highly porous nanofibrous (NF) poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) scaffolds fabricated using a phase separation technique were seeded with multi-potent human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and the constructs were induced along osteogenic and chondrogenic development routes in vitro. Histological analysis and calcium content quantification showed that NF scaffolds supported in vitro bone differentiation. SEM observation showed an altered shape for cells cultured on an NF matrix compared with those on smooth films. Consistent with the morphological change, the gene expression of early chondrogenic commitment marker Sox-9 was enhanced on the NF matrix. NF scaffolds were then used to support long-term in vitro 3D cartilaginous development. It was found that in the presence of TGF-β1, cartilage tissue developed on PLLA NF scaffolds, with the cartilage-specific gene expressed, glycosaminoglycan and type II collagen accumulated, and typical cartilage morphology formed. These findings suggest that NF scaffolds can support both bone and cartilage development and are excellent candidate scaffolds for osteochondral defect repair.     

成年比格犬骨髓间质干细胞体外软骨方向分化的实验研究

目的：体外诱导成年比格犬骨髓间质干细胞（BMSCs）定向分化为软骨细胞，探讨体外诱导成软骨的方法和条件。方法:比格犬股骨取骨髓10 mL，体外行原代和传代培养扩增，加入转化生长因子（TGF-β1），以高密度细胞团块培养，诱导BMSCs分化为软骨细胞。甲苯胺蓝染色检测软骨基质的分泌，免疫组织化学染色检测软骨特异性Ⅱ型胶原表达。结果:诱导的软骨样组织甲苯胺蓝染色阳性;Ⅱ型胶原免疫组织化学检测阳性。结论： 应用含TGF-β1的诱导液在体外可以诱导比格犬BMSC分化为软骨细胞，诱导的软骨细胞可作为软骨组织工程较理想的种子细胞。     

Chondrogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) scaffolds coated with PHA granule binding protein PhaP fused with RGD peptide

Hydrophobic polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) scaffolds made of a copolyester of 3-hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyhexanoate (PHBHHx) were coated with a fusion protein PHA granule binding protein PhaP fused with RGD peptide (PhaP-RGD). Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) were inoculated on/in the scaffolds for formation of articular cartilages derived from chondrogenic differentiation of hBMSCs for cartilage tissue engineering. PhaP-RGD coating led to more homogeneous spread of cells, better cell adhesion, proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation in the scaffolds compared with those of PhaP coated or uncoated scaffolds immerging in serum minus chondrogenic induction medium. In addition, more extracellular matrices were produced by the differentiated cells over a period of 14 days on/in the PhaP-RGD coated scaffolds evidenced by scanning electron microscopy imaging, enhanced expression of chondrocyte specific genes including SOX-9, aggrecan and type II collagen, suggesting the positive effect of RGD on extracellular matrix production. Furthermore, cartilage-specific extracellular substances sulphated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG) and total collagen content found on/in the PhaP-RGD coated scaffolds were significantly more compared with that produced by the control and PhaP only coated scaffolds. Homogeneously distributed chondrocytes-like cells forming cartilage-like matrices were observed on/in the PhaP-RGD coated scaffolds after 3 weeks. The results suggested that PhaP-RGD coated PHBHHx scaffold promoted chondrogenic differentiation of hBMSCs and could support cartilage tissue engineering.     

Human mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow display a better chondrogenic differentiation compared with other sources

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells capable of differentiation into several mesodermal lineages. These cells have been isolated from various tissues, such as adult bone marrow, placenta, and fetal tissues. The comparative potential of these cells originating from different tissues to differentiate into the chondrogenic lineage is still not fully defined. The aim of our study was to investigate the chondrogenic potential of MSCs isolated from different sources. MSCs from fetal and adult tissues were phenotypically characterized and examined for their differentiation capacity, based on morphological criteria and expression of extracellular matrix components. Our results show that both fetal and adult MSCs have chondrogenic potential under appropriate conditions. The capacity of bone marrow-derived MSCs to differentiate into chondrocytes was reduced on passaging of cells. MSCs of bone marrow origin, either fetal or adult, exhibit a better chondrogenesis than fetal lung- and placenta-derived MSCs, as demonstrated by the appearance of typical morphological features of cartilage, the intensity of toluidine blue staining, and the expression of collagen type II, IX, and X after culture under chondrogenic conditions. As MSCs represent an attractive tool for cartilage tissue repair strategies, our data suggest that bone marrow should be considered the preferred MSC source for these therapeutic approaches.     

Chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells induced by acellular cartilage sheets

Acellular cartilage sheets (ACSs) have been used as scaffolds for engineering cartilage with mature chondrocytes. In this study we investigated whether ACSs possess a chondrogenic induction activity that may benefit cartilage engineering with multipotent stem cells. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) isolated from newborn pigs were expanded in vitro and seeded on ACSs that were then stacked layer-by-layer to form BMSC-ACS constructs. Cells seeded on polyglycolic acid/polylactic acid (PGA/PLA) scaffolds served as a control. After 4 weeks of culture with or without additional chondrogenic factors, constructs were subcutaneously implanted into nude mice for another 4 weeks. Cartilage-like tissues were formed after 4 weeks of culture. However, formation of cartilage with a typical lacunar structure was only observed in induced groups. RT-PCR showed that aggrecan, COMP, type II collagen and Sox9 were expressed in all groups except the non-induced BMSC-PGA/PLA group. At 4 weeks post-implantation, cartilage formation was achieved in the induced BMSC-ACS group and partial cartilage formation was achieved in the non-induced BMSC-ACS group, confirmed by safranin O staining, toluidine blue staining and type II collagen immunostaining. In addition, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay demonstrated the presence of transforming growth factor-β1, insulin-like growth factor-1 and bone morphogenic protein-2 in ACSs. These results indicate that ACSs possess a chondrogenic induction activity that promotes BMSC differentiation.     

转化生长因子β3基因转染兔骨髓间充质干细胞诱导其向软骨表型的分化

背景：内源性诱导软骨分为就是通过一定的载体将目的基因整合入干细胞内,使其自行分泌诱导因子诱导自身进行分化。 目的：观察将转化生长因子β3通过腺相关病毒载体转染诱导兔骨髓间充质干细胞向软骨表型转化的能力。 方法：取体外培养的第3代骨髓间充质干细胞进行重组腺相关病毒转染,将转染后3,6,9,12 d细胞裂解提取蛋白进行酶联免疫检测目的蛋白转化生长因子β3的体外表达。RT-PCR,免疫印迹western blot分别从基因和蛋白水平上检测1,2周Ⅱ型胶原的表达,甲苯胺蓝染色检测1,2周蛋白多糖的表达。 结果与结论：重组腺相关病毒转染后,骨髓间充质干细胞可以较稳定的表达目的蛋白转化生长因子β3,并且转染成功的骨髓间充质干细胞较阴性对照组能够更好的向软骨表型转化。证实转化生长因子β3可以腺相关病毒为载体转染骨髓间充质干细胞并诱导其向软骨表型分化。     

CaMKII plays a part in the chondrogenesis of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Aims: The purpose of the study is to observe the functions of calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in the induced chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Methods: BMSCs was in vitro isolated and cultured for induced chondrogenesis. Western blot was used to ascertain the expression of CaMKII and phosphorylated CaMKII (PCaMKII, activatory CaMKII) in chondrogenic induced BMSCs. MTT method was utilized to observe the impact of CaMKII on the proliferation of BMSCs. The generation of cartilage matrix in BMSCs cells was detected by toluidine blue staining. The levels of cartilage marker genes COL2A1, Aggrecan and SOX9 in BMSCs were gained by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-QPCR). Finally, BMSCs proliferation, cartilage matrix generation and the changes of COL2A1, Aggrecan and SOX9 were surveyed after CaMKII being blocked by CaMKII inhibitor KN93. Results: Expression of CaMKII and PCaMKII could be found in chondrogenic induced BMSCs. CaMKII had no significant influence on BMSCs proliferation, but the toluidine blue staining was obviously lighter, indicating a significant decline in the expression of COL2A1, Aggrecan and SOX9. Conclusion: As one of the factors influencing the chondrogenic capacity of BMSCs, CaMKII does not impact on BMSCs proliferation, but it can inhibit the chondrogenic ability of BMSCs by influencing its differentiation.     

A comparison of the functionality and in vivo phenotypic stability of cartilaginous tissues engineered from different stem cell sources

Joint-derived stem cells are a promising alternative cell source for cartilage repair therapies that may overcome many of the problems associated with the use of primary chondrocytes (CCs). The objective of this study was to compare the in vitro functionality and in vivo phenotypic stability of cartilaginous tissues engineered using bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) and joint tissue-derived stem cells following encapsulation in agarose hydrogels. Culture-expanded BMSCs, fat pad-derived stem cells (FPSCs), and synovial membrane-derived stem cells (SDSCs) were encapsulated in agarose and maintained in a chondrogenic medium supplemented with transforming growth factor-β3. After 21 days of culture, constructs were either implanted subcutaneously into the back of nude mice for an additional 28 days or maintained for a similar period in vitro in either chondrogenic or hypertrophic media formulations. After 49 days of in vitro culture in chondrogenic media, SDSC constructs accumulated the highest levels of sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) (～2.8% w/w) and collagen (～1.8% w/w) and were mechanically stiffer than constructs engineered using other cell types. After subcutaneous implantation in nude mice, sGAG content significantly decreased for all stem cell-seeded constructs, while no significant change was observed in the control constructs engineered using primary CCs, indicating that the in vitro chondrocyte-like phenotype generated in all stem cell-seeded agarose constructs was transient. FPSCs and SDSCs appeared to undergo fibrous dedifferentiation or resorption, as evident from increased collagen type I staining and a dramatic loss in sGAG content. BMSCs followed a more endochondral pathway with increased type X collagen expression and mineralization of the engineered tissue. In conclusion, while joint tissue-derived stem cells possess a strong intrinsic chondrogenic capacity, further studies are needed to identify the factors that will lead to the generation of a more stable chondrogenic phenotype.     

Dermis isolated adult stem cells for cartilage tissue engineering

Adult stem cells from the dermal layer of skin are an attractive alternative to primary cells for meniscus engineering, as they may be easily obtained and used autologously. Recently, chondroinducible dermis cells from caprine skin have shown promising characteristics for cartilage tissue engineering. In this study, their multilineage differentiation capacity is determined, and methods of expanding and tissue engineering these cells are investigated. It was found that these cells could differentiate along adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic lineages, allowing them to be termed dermis isolated adult stem cells (DIAS cells). Focusing on cartilage tissue engineering, it was found that passaging these cells in chondrogenic medium and forming them into self-assembled tissue engineered constructs caused upregulation of collagen type II and COMP gene expression. Further investigation showed that applying transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) or bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) to DIAS constructs caused increased sulfated glycosaminoglycan content. Additionally, TGF-β1 treatment caused significant increases in compressive properties and construct contraction. In contrast, BMP-2 treatment resulted in the largest constructs, but did not increase compressive properties. These results show that DIAS cells can be easily manipulated for cartilage tissue engineering strategies, and may also be a useful cell source for other mesenchymal tissues.