Chondrogenic differentiation of adult mesenchymal stem cells and embryonic cells in collagen scaffolds

Many cell types and cellular microenvironments have been explored for articular cartilage tissue engineering. We compared the potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and P19 embryonic carcinoma cells (ECCs), a pluripotent derivative of embryonic stem cells (ESCs), for cartilage histogenesis in porous collagen scaffolds in vitro. We found that while both MSCs and ECCs express α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), only MSCs exhibit condensation and contraction necessary for cartilage histogenesis. Furthermore, histology confirmed that only MSCs exhibited sulfated glycosaminoglycans and collagen type II formation after 14 days in culture. We conclude that MSCs appear to be superior over ECCs for cartilage regeneration under particular culture conditions. The α-SMA-expressing ECCs may not have contracted due to the absence of actin unit polymerization or the absence of myosin molecules. Our observations may explain the absence of a contractile scar in fetal wound healing.     

Multidifferentiation potential of mesenchymal stem cells in three-dimensional collagen gel cultures

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have a great therapeutic potential resulting from their ability to differentiate into multiple tissues when cultured under specific conditions. However, it has not been clearly demonstrated whether or not MSCs exhibit a multidifferentiation potential in three-dimensional collagen gel cultures. This study was conducted to explore the multidifferentiation potential of MSCs cultured in three-dimensional collagen gels. Human MSCs were cultured in 0.3% collagen gel for 20 days in chondrogenic differentiation medium (CDM), and for 14 days in osteogenic differentiation medium (ODM). Increases in GAG deposits, intensity of toluidine blue staining, and mRNA expressions of chondrogenic markers (type II collagen and type X collagen) were found in human MSCs cultured in the collagen gel maintained in CDM. Positive staining for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and alizarin red, and increases in mRNA expressions of osteogenic markers (type I collagen, bone sialoprotein and ALP) were noted in the MSCs maintained in ODM. These findings emphasize that human MSCs have an ability to differentiate into both bone and cartilaginous tissues in three-dimensional collagen gel cultures, indicating potential clinical applications of MSC transplant therapy with collagen gel as a scaffold for bone or cartilage regeneration in complicated tissue defects.     

Inhibition of ERK promotes collagen gel compaction and fibrillogenesis to amplify the osteogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells in three-dimensional collagen I culture

Tissue morphogenesis remains one of the least understood problems in cell and developmental biology. There is a disconnect between the mechanisms that apply to two-dimensional (2D) cultures and those seen in vivo. Three-dimensional (3D) culture presents a complex stimulus triggering cellular responses that are only partially understood. We compared 2D and 3D cultures of human mesenchymal stem cells in the presence of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor, PD98059, to determine the role of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) in collagen-induced differentiation. 3D collagen I culture enhanced and accelerated the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). Contrary to 2D results, the addition of PD98059 induced a significant amplification of osteogenic gene expression and matrix mineralization in 3D cultures. The inhibition of ERK altered cell-mediated compaction, proliferation, and resulted in the development of distinct tissue microstructure. Therefore, we suggest that the ability to reorganize collagen in 3D is an important step in ERK-mediated osteogenic differentiation. This work aims to propose a correlation between osteogenic differentiation and hMSC-directed collagen I remodeling. We present a potential mechanistic link (ERK) through which the three dimensionality of an engineered tissue acts to differentially induce and maintain cellular phenotype during tissue development.     

Fibroblast contractility and growth in plastic compressed collagen gel scaffolds with microstructures correlated with hydraulic permeability

Scaffold microstructure is hypothesized to influence physical and mechanical properties of collagen gels, as well as cell function within the matrix. Plastic compression under increasing load was conducted to produce scaffolds with increasing collagen fibrillar densities ranging from 0.3 to above 4.1 wt % with corresponding hydraulic permeability (k) values that ranged from 1.05 to 0.03 μm2, as determined using the Happel model. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that increasing the level of collagen gel compression yielded a concomitant reduction in pore size distribution and a slight increase in average fibril bundle diameter. Decreasing k delayed the onset of contraction and significantly reduced both the total extent and the maximum rate of contraction induced by NIH3T3 fibroblasts seeded at a density of either 6.0 x 10? or 1.5 x 10? cells mL?1. At the higher cell density, however, the effect of k reduction on collagen gel contraction was overcome by an accelerated onset of contraction which led to an increase in both the total extent and the maximum rate of contraction. AlamarBlue? measurements indicated that the metabolic activity of fibroblasts within collagen gels increased as k decreased. Moreover, increasing seeded cell density from 2.0 x 10? to 1.5 x 10? cells mL?1 significantly increased NIH3T3 proliferation. In conclusion, fibroblast-matrix interactions can be optimized by defining the microstructural properties of collagen scaffolds through k adjustment which in turn, is dependent on the cell seeding density.     

力生长因子促进骨髓间充质干细胞向成骨细胞的分化

BACKGROUND:Mechano growth factor has the potential to activate muscle satellite cells and promote myogenic cell growth, and has dual roles in maintaining bone mass and repairing bone defects. OBJECTIVE:To explore the mechanism underlying osteogenic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells promoted by the mechano growth factor. METHODS:The best concentration and time of mechano growth factor to promote osteogenic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were detected by MTT. The mRNA and protein expressions of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin were detected by qPCR and western blot, respectively. The phosphorylation level of AKT and mTOR were detected by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The best concentration and time of mechano growth factor was 45 μg/L and 5 days for promoting the osteogenic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. The expressions of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin at mRNA and protein levels were highest after 4-hour intervention with 45 μg/L mechano growth factor, and meanwhile, the phosphorylation levels of mTOR and AKT were also highest. These findings indicate that the mechano growth factor can promote the differentiation of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts via PI3K/AKT pathway, and its best concentration and time are 45 μg/L and 4 hours, respectively.     

Non-viral endostatin plasmid transfection of mesenchymal stem cells via collagen scaffolds

Angiogenesis is critical in the early stage of reparative processes and tissue regeneration, but the persistence of a vascular network may interfere with later transformation/maturation in naturally avascular tissues such as articular cartilage. Our supposition is that the timed delivery of an anti-angiogenic factor in cartilage tissue engineering may facilitate the formation of hyaline cartilage by inducing the regression of vascularization. To this end our overall goal is to prepare an off-the-shelf scaffold containing the gene for a potent anti-angiogenic factor. The objective of this study was to investigate the use of a type I/III collagen scaffold for the non-viral transfection of marrow stromal cells (MSCs, also referred to as mesenchymal stem cells) with the plasmid encoding endostatin. Caprine MSCs were transfected by the naked plasmid alone and plasmid incorporated into a cationic lipid complex in three experiments: 1) cells were transfected in monolayer; 2) monolayer-transfected cells were grown in a collagen sponge-like scaffold; and 3) non-transfected cells were grown in a collagen scaffold containing the naked plasmid and endostatin lipoplex. Independent variables were the passage number of the cells and the plasmid loading. The amount of endostatin released by the cells into the medium was measured using an ELISA. The results demonstrated the overexpression of endostatin by MSCs growing in the endostatin lipoplex-supplemented collagen scaffolds. Endostatin released by the cell-seeded scaffolds reached a peak of 13 ng/ml for scaffolds incorporating as little as 20 μg of plasmid, at the 3-day collection period ending 5 days post-seeding. The accumulated endostatin synthesis over a 2-week period began to achieve what may be a therapeutic level. MSCs transfected with the endostatin gene in monolayer continued to express the gene when grown in the collagen scaffolds. The results demonstrate the promise of the non-viral delivery of the gene for this potent anti-angiogenic protein to MSCs via a collagen scaffold.     

The growth and differentiation of mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells cultured on aligned collagen matrices

Cell-matrix interactions are paramount for the successful repair and regeneration of damaged and diseased tissue. Since many tissues have an anisotropic architecture, it has been proposed that aligned extracellular matrix (ECM) structures in particular could guide and support the differentiation of resident mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells (MSCs). We therefore created aligned collagen type I structures using a microfluidic set-up with the aim to assess their impact on MSC growth and differentiation. In addition, we refined our aligned collagen matrices by incorporating the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) heparin to demonstrate the versatility of the applied methodology to study multiple ECM components in a single system. Our reconstituted, aligned ECM structures maintained and allowed multilineage (osteogenic/adipogenic/chondrogenic) differentiation of MSCs. Most noticeable was the observation that during osteogenesis, aligned collagen substrates choreographed ordered matrix mineralization. Likewise, myotube assembly of C2C12 cells was profoundly influenced by aligned topographic features resulting in enhanced myotube organization and length. Our results shed light on the regulation of MSCs through directional ECM structures and demonstrate the versatility of these cell culture platforms for guiding the morphogenesis of tissue types with anisotropic structures.     

基底膜基质/壳聚糖诱导骨髓间充质干细胞成软骨分化

背景：课题组前期研究发现基底膜基质能够定向诱导骨髓间充质干细胞向软骨方向分化,但其力学性能与实际应用有较大差距,还需要进一步研究。 目的：制备兼具适宜力学性能和优异生物相容性的壳聚糖/基底膜基质水凝胶支架用于软骨修复。 方法：以京尼平为交联剂,将壳聚糖溶液与基底膜基质按2︰1,1︰1,1︰3比例混合制成水凝胶,接种大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞,培养14 d。经材料力学测试、细胞增殖、活细胞染色、酶联免疫吸附测试以及阿尔新蓝染色等方法评价材料诱导细胞成软骨分化能力。 结果与结论：在基底膜基质内添加壳聚糖后,材料力学性能从0.48 kPa上升到1.78 kPa。标志性蛋白分泌结果显示,纯壳聚糖组早期诱导成软骨活性高于其他组,但后期诱导能力减弱,而含基底膜基质各组在后期能够保持较好的诱导活性,其中壳聚糖/基底膜基质=1︰1组材料具有一定的力学强度,且Ⅱ型胶原和Ⅹ型胶原的表达量在14 d较其他组高。结果表明实验制备的壳聚糖/基底膜基质水凝胶具有良好的力学性能,并能够促进骨髓间充质干细胞向软骨方向分化,可用于软骨组织工程研究。 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：     

胰岛素促进脐带间充质干细胞成骨分化的作用

BACKGROUND: How to effectively and rapidly induce the osteogenic differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells is the focus of the current stem cell research. Increasing evidence has demonstrated some growth factors, such as bone morphogenetic protein-2, have important effects on the transdifferentiation of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts in vitro. However, widespread use of growth factors is limited because of high cost. Insulin is widely used in the cell culture and induction, but there is no report about the effect of insulin on the osteogenic differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of insulin on osteogenic differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells and to explore the feasibility of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in the treatment of diabetic delayed fracture healing. METHODS: The passage 3 human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were inoculated in two flasks, denoted as experimental group and control group. The insulin (10-7 mmol/L) was added to the experimental group but not to the control group. The proliferative capacity of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells was evaluated by cell count kit-8 and alkaline phosphatase activity. The osteogenic differentiation capacity of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells was evaluated by measuring the protein and mRNA expressions of type I collagen as well as osteocalcin mRNA level. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After 1-2 weeks of induction, compared with the control group, insulin could significantly increase the number of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in the experimental group, the activity of alkaline phosphatase and expressions of type I collagen osteocalcin mRNA (P < 0.05). These data indicate that insulin can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.       

Neurotrophin-induced differentiation of human embryonic stem cells on three-dimensional polymeric scaffolds

Human embryonic stem (hES) cells have the potential to form various cell types, including neural cells for the treatment of diseases such as Parkinson's, spinal cord injury, and glaucoma. Here, we have investigated the neuronal differentiation of hES cells on three-dimensional scaffolds fabricated from degradable poly(alpha-hydroxy esters) including poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and poly(L-lactic acid). When cultured in vitro, neural rosette-like structures developed throughout the scaffolds with differentiation dependent on factors in the medium (e.g., retinoic acid [RA], nerve growth factor [NGF], and neurotrophin 3 [NT-3]) and the differentiation stage of the cells. Specifically, enhanced numbers of neural structures and staining of nestin (a marker of neural precursors) and beta(III)-tubulin (indicative of neural differentiation) were observed with hES cell-seeded polymer scaffolds when cultured with both NGF and NT-3 when compared with control medium. In addition, vascular structures were found throughout the engineered tissues when cultured with the neurotrophins, but not in the presence of RA.     

Chondroinduction of mouse mesenchymal stem cells in three-dimensional highly porous matrix scaffolds

Porous polyvinyl formal (PVF) resin and poly(lactide-caprolactone) [P(LA/CL)] sponges were examined as three-dimensional matrices for chondroinduction of cultured bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Approximately 5 x 10(5) mouse MSCs were seeded in porous PVF resin or P(LA/CL) sponges and were cultured for up to 1 month in serum-free high-glucose Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing 10 ng/mL transforming growth factor-beta3 and 100 nM dexamethasone for chondroinduction. After the 1-month culture period, the PVF resin and P(LA/CL) sponges contained approximately twice the amount of glycosaminoglycans compared with the control pellet. Safranin-O staining of PVF and P(LA/CL) after 1 month of culture revealed a cartilage-like extracellular matrix containing glycosaminoglycans and collagen. When implanted into nude mice, PVF and P(LA/CL) seeded with MSCs were found to be both biocompatible and chondroinductive. These highly porous scaffolds can maintain a large number of cells in a three-dimensional structure. Both are potentially promising for the chondroinduction of bone marrow MSCs for research and clinical applications.     

纤维蛋白凝胶促进大鼠间充质干细胞的成骨分化

背景：纤维蛋白是一种天然的可生物降解、组织相容性好的高分子材料,是一种能促进细胞和外源性生长因子释放的载体,其中血纤维蛋白稳定因子ⅩⅢ已证明有利于未分化的间充质干细胞在高度交联的凝胶支架内迁移,并且促进这些细胞的增殖与分化能力。 目的：观察大鼠间充质干细胞在纤维蛋白凝胶内的行为。 方法：无菌条件下分离大鼠胎肢细胞获得间充质干细胞,取第3代细胞分别接种于0,5,10,20 g/L纤维蛋白凝胶内,用倒置相差显微镜和激光扫描共聚焦显微镜分析细胞在凝胶内的形态学变化; 酶标仪和Von Kossa染色分析碱性磷酸酶活性和钙盐沉积。 结果与结论：5 g/L低浓度纤维蛋白凝胶有利于细胞形态的发生,20 g/L高浓度凝胶有利于细胞的成骨分化。20 g/L纤维蛋白凝胶碱性磷酸酶活性高于对照组,10和20 g/L浓度纤维蛋白凝胶矿化结节出现在21至28 d,而对照组无矿化结节出现。提示大鼠间充质干细胞的形态与成骨分化依赖于纤维蛋白凝胶浓度,提示纤维蛋白凝胶有助于间充质干细胞的成骨分化。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：     

中药促进间充质干细胞的增殖与分化

背景：间充质干细胞是再生医学研究的热点,中药干预间充质干细胞为再生医学的研究注入了新的活力。 目的：回顾与总结近年来间充质干细胞研究过程中加入中药干预的研究,旨在进一步探索中医药与间充质干细胞研究的结合点和发展趋势。 方法：以“中药”或“中草药”和“间充质干细胞”为检索词,检索CNKI数据库,以 “traditional Chinese medicine”或“herbal medicine”或“Botanical Drugs”和“mesenchymal stem cells” 为检索词检索Pubmed医学数据库。 结果与结论：检索到符合纳入标准的文献共35篇。结果显示许多中药及复方对间充质干细胞增殖与分化有促进作用,具有安全、易于在临床推广使用等特点。而且中药在间充质干细胞体内存活等方面具有重大潜力。     

Collagen I gel promotes homogenous osteogenic differentiation of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells in serum-derived albumin scaffold

Repair of bone defects is a difficult clinical problem for reconstructive surgeons. Bone tissue engineering using an appropriate scaffold with cells is a new therapy for the repair of bone defects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro osteogenesis of canine adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (Ad-MSCs) cultured in a combination of collagen I gel and a porous serum-derived albumin scaffold. A serum-derived albumin scaffold was prepared with canine serum by cross-linking and freeze-drying procedures. Ad-MSCs were seeded into serum-derived albumin scaffolds with or without collagen I gel, and were exposed to osteogenic differentiation conditions in vitro. After 28?days of in vitro culture, the distribution and osteogenic differentiation of Ad-MSCs cultured in the scaffold were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, histology, immunohistochemistry, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, and calcium colorimetric assay. Ad-MSCs showed more homogeneous distribution and osteogenic differentiation in the scaffold with collagen I gel than without collagen I gel. ALP activity and extracellular matrix mineralization in the construct with type I collagen were significantly higher than in the construct without type I collagen (p?<?0.05). In conclusion, the combination of collagen I gel and the serum-derived albumin scaffold enhanced osteogenic differentiation and homogenous distribution of Ad-MSCs.     

Controlling the fibroblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells via the combination of fibrous scaffolds and connective tissue growth factor

Controlled differentiation of multi-potent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into vocal fold-specific, fibroblast-like cells in vitro is an attractive strategy for vocal fold repair and regeneration. The goal of the current study was to define experimental parameters that can be used to control the initial fibroblastic differentiation of MSCs in vitro. To this end, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and micro-structured, fibrous scaffolds based on poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) and poly(?-caprolactone) (PCL) were used to create a three-dimensional, connective tissue-like microenvironment. MSCs readily attached to and elongated along the microfibers, adopting a spindle-shaped morphology during the initial 3 days of preculture in an MSC maintenance medium. The cell-laden scaffolds were subsequently cultivated in a conditioned medium containing CTGF and ascorbic acids for up to 21 days. Cell morphology, proliferation, and differentiation were analyzed collectively by quantitative PCR analyses, and biochemical and immunocytochemical assays. F-actin staining showed that MSCs maintained their fibroblastic morphology during the 3 weeks of culture. The addition of CTGF to the constructs resulted in an enhanced cell proliferation, elevated expression of fibroblast-specific protein-1, and decreased expression of mesenchymal surface epitopes without markedly triggering chondrogenesis, osteogenesis, adipogenesis, or apoptosis. At the mRNA level, CTGF supplement resulted in a decreased expression of collagen I and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1, but an increased expression of decorin and hyaluronic acid synthesase 3. At the protein level, collagen I, collagen III, sulfated glycosaminoglycan, and elastin productivity was higher in the conditioned PGS-PCL culture than in the normal culture. These findings collectively demonstrate that the fibrous mesh, when combined with defined biochemical cues, is capable of fostering MSC fibroblastic differentiation in vitro.     

Chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells in three-dimensional alginate gels

We characterized the temporal changes in chondrogenic genes and developed a staging scheme for in vitro chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in three-dimensional (3D) alginate gels. A time-dependent accumulation of glycosaminoglycans, aggrecan, and type II collagen was observed in chondrogenic but not in basal constructs over 24 days. qRT-PCR demonstrated a largely characteristic temporal pattern of chondrogenic markers and provided a basis for staging the cellular phenotype into four stages. Stage I (days 0-6) was defined by collagen types I and VI, Sox 4, and BMP-2 showing peak expression levels. In stage II (days 6-12), gene expression for cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, HAPLN1, collagen type XI, and Sox 9 reached peak levels, while gene expression of matrilin 3, Ihh, Homeobox 7, chondroadherin, and WNT 11 peaked at stage III (days 12-18). Finally, cells in stage IV (days 18-24) attained peak levels of aggrecan; collagen IX, II, and X; osteocalcin; fibromodulin; PTHrP; and alkaline phosphatase. Gene profiles at stages III and IV were analogous to those in juvenile articular and adult nucleus pulposus chondrocytes. Gene ontology analyses also demonstrated a specific expression pattern of several putative novel marker genes. These data provide comprehensive insights on chondrogenesis of hMSCs in 3D gels. The derivation of this staging scheme may aid in defining maximally responsive time points for mechanobiological modulation of constructs to produce optimally engineered tissues.     

The influence of three-dimensional nanofibrous scaffolds on the osteogenic differentiation of embryonic stem cells

Embryonic stem cells represent a potentially unlimited cell source for tissue engineering applications. However, in order to be used for such applications, embryonic stem cells' differentiation must be controlled to only the desired lineages. In this study, we examine the effects of nanofibrous architecture and biochemical cues on the osteogenic differentiation of embryonic stem cells compared to the more traditional architecture without the nanofibrous features in two dimensions (thin matrix or flat films) and three dimensions (scaffolds) in vitro. After three weeks of culture the nanofibrous thin matrices were capable of supporting mRNA expression of osteogenic differentiation markers in embryonic stem cells without osteogenic supplements, while solid films required osteogenic supplements and growth factors to achieve mRNA expression of osteogenic differentiation markers. Nanofibrous scaffolds substantially enhanced mRNA expression of osteogenic differentiation markers compared to solid-walled scaffolds, nanofibrous thin matrices or solid films. After 4 weeks of culture, nanofibrous scaffolds were found to contain 3 times more calcium and stronger osteocalcin stain throughout the scaffolds than the solid-walled scaffolds. Overall, the nanofibrous architecture enhanced the osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of embryonic stem cells compared to the solid-walled architecture in both two and three-dimensional cultures.     

脱细胞随机肌腱支架促进骨髓间充质干细胞骨向分化

目的:探究随机肌腱细胞外基质(ECM)支架对骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSCs)活力和分化的影响。方法:从Sprague-Dawley大鼠股骨和胫骨中提取BMSCs,体外培养,观察细胞形态,并利用流式细胞术鉴定细胞干性。采用1%Triton X-100和DNase/RNase混合液对鼠尾肌腱进行脱细胞处理,利用HE染色和DNA含量测定考察肌腱组织中细胞核残余情况。制备胶原纤维随机排列的肌腱ECM支架,培养BMSCs,以孔板中生长的细胞为对照组,利用Live/Dead染色和CCK8法考察细胞的活力和形态;利用RT-qPCR检测肌腱标志物I型胶原蛋白(Col I)、肌腱特异转录因子scleraxis(SCX)及成骨标志物碱性磷酸酶(ALP)和Runt相关转录因子2(RUNX2)的表达水平。结果:HE染色结果显示,经过脱细胞处理后肌腱组织内无细胞残余,且DNA含量从(481. 7±15. 8)μg/g显著性降至(31. 0±3. 8)μg/g(P<0. 05),脱细胞处理成功。7 d时,种植在支架上的BMSCs的活力较对照组显著增强(P<0. 05);14 d时,种植在支架上的BMSC...     

Chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells in collagen type I hydrogels

The chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in a collagen type I hydrogel, which is in clinical use for matrix-based autologous chondrocyte transplantation (ACT), was investigated. Collagen hydrogels with 2.5 x 10(5) MSCs/mL were fabricated and cultured for 3 weeks in a serum-free, defined, chondrogenic differentiation medium containing 10 ng/mL TGF-beta1 or 100 ng/mL BMP-2. Histochemistry revealed morphologically distinct, chondrocyte-like cells, surrounded by a sulfated proteoglycan-rich extracellular matrix in the TGF-beta1 and BMP-2 treated group, with more elongated cells seen in the BMP-2 treated group. Immunohistochemistry detected collagen type II (Col II) in the TGF-beta1 and BMP-2 treated group. Collagen type X (Col X) staining was positive in the TGF-beta1 but only very weak in the BMP-2 treated group. RT-PCR analyses revealed a specific chondrogenic differentiation with the expression of the cartilage specific marker genes Col II, Col X, and aggrecan (AGN) in the TGF-beta1 and the BMP-2 treated group, with earlier expression of these marker genes in the TGF-beta1 treated group. Interestingly, MSC-gels cultured in DMEM with 10% FBS (control) indicated few isolated chondrocyte-like cells but no expression of Col II or Col X could be detected. The results show, that MSCs cultured in a collagen type I hydrogel are able to undergo a distinct chondrogenic differentiation pathway, similar to that described for MSCs cultured in high-density pellet cultures. These findings are valuable in terms of ex vivo predifferentiation or in situ differentiation of MSCs in collagen hydrogels for articular cartilage repair.