Analysis of N-cadherin function in limb mesenchymal chondrogenesis in vitro.

During embryonic limb development, cartilage formation is presaged by a crucial mesenchymal cell condensation phase. N-Cadherin, a Ca2+ -dependent cell-cell adhesion molecule, is expressed in embryonic chick limb buds in a spatiotemporal pattern suggestive of its involvement during cellular condensation; functional blocking of N-cadherin homotypic binding, by using a neutralizing monoclonal antibody, results in perturbed chondrogenesis in vitro and in vivo. In high-density micromass cultures of embryonic limb mesenchymal cells, N-cadherin expression level is high during days 1 and 2, coincident with active cellular condensation, and decreases upon overt chondrogenic differentiation from day 3 on. In this study, we have used a transfection approach to evaluate the effects of gain- and loss-of-function expression of N-cadherin constructs on mesenchymal condensation and chondrogenesis in vitro. Chick limb mesenchymal cells were transfected by electroporation with recombinant expression plasmids encoding wild-type or two mutant extracellular/cytoplasmic deletion forms of N-cadherin. Expression of the transfected N-cadherin forms showed a transient profile, being high on days 1-2 of culture, and decreasing by day 3, fortuitously coincident with the temporal profile of endogenous N-cadherin gene expression. Examined by means of peanut agglutinin (PNA) staining for condensing precartilage mesenchymal cells, cultures overexpressing wild-type N-cadherin showed enhanced cellular condensation on culture days 2 and 3, whereas expression of the deletion mutant forms (extracellular/cytoplasmic) of N-cadherin resulted in a decrease in PNA staining, suggesting that a complete N-cadherin protein is required for normal cellular condensation to occur. Subsequent chondrogenesis was also affected. Cultures overexpressing the wild-type N-cadherin protein showed enhanced chondrogenesis, indicated by increased production of cartilage matrix (sulfated proteoglycans, collagen type II, and cartilage proteoglycan link protein), as well as increased cartilage nodule number and size of individual nodules, compared with control cultures and cultures transfected with either of the two mutant N-cadherin constructs. These results demonstrate that complete N-cadherin function, at the levels of both extracellular homotypic binding and cytoplasmic linkage to the cytoskeleton by means of the catenin complex, is required for chondrogenesis by mediating functional mesenchymal cell condensation.     

N-cadherin is not essential for limb mesenchymal chondrogenesis.

The cell adhesion molecule N-cadherin is implicated in many morphogenetic processes, including mesenchyme condensation during limb development. To further understand N-cadherin function, we characterized a new N-cadherin allele containing the lacZ reporter gene under the regulation of the mouse N-cadherin promoter. The reporter gene recapitulates the expression pattern of the N-cadherin gene, including expression in heart, neural tube, and somites. In addition, strong expression was observed in areas of active cellular condensation, a prerequisite for chondrogenic differentiation, including the developing mandible, vertebrae, and limbs. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that limb buds can form in N-cadherin-null embryos expressing a cardiac-specific cadherin transgene, however, these partially rescued embryos do not survive long enough to observe limb development. To overcome the embryonic lethality, we used an organ culture system to examine limb development ex vivo. We demonstrate that N-cadherin-deficient limb buds were capable of mesenchymal condensation and chondrogenesis, resulting in skeletal structures. In contrast to previous studies in chicken using N-cadherin-perturbing antibodies, our organ culture studies with mouse tissue demonstrate that N-cadherin is not essential for limb mesenchymal chondrogenesis. We postulate that another cell adhesion molecule, possibly cadherin-11, is responsible for chondrogenesis in the N-cadherin-deficient limb.     

In vitro model of mesenchymal condensation during chondrogenic development

Mesenchymal condensation is a pre-requisite of chondrogenesis during embryonic development. The current understanding of chondrogenesis is limited in terms of chondrogenic condensation mechanisms. In particular, the role of matrix stiffness on homotypic cell–cell interactions leading to the establishment of distinct aggregated chondrogenic morphology from mesenchymal cells is unclear. An in vitro biomaterials-based model to assess the interactions of matrix stiffness on chondrogensis is described herein, where by sensing subtle variation in morphology and stiffness of nanofibrous silk protein matrixes human mesenchymal stem cells migrated and assumed aggregated morphologies, mimicking early stage chondrogenesis. This simple in vitro model system has potential to play a significant role to gain insight into underlying mechanisms of mesenchymal condensation steps during chondrogenesis, integrating concepts of developmental biology, biomaterials and tissue engineering.     

Sulf1 expression pattern and its role in cartilage and joint development.

A very dynamic and localised spatiotemporal expression pattern of Sulf1 was observed in axial structures and different regions of developing quail somites that included myotomal and sclerotomal regions at specific levels. Sulf1 expression was also observed in not only the scapular and pelvic girdle forming regions of the quail limb that connect the appendicular skeleton to the body trunk but also the cartilage templates of the appendicular skeleton. The highest expression level of Sulf1 was observed in condensing mesenchyme, during the early differentiation stage of chondrogenesis, and highly dynamic expression was observed in the perichondrial and joint-forming regions. Overexpression of Sulf1 in quail micromass cultures enhanced aggregation and differentiation of prechondrocytes into chondrogenic lineage supporting its role in mesenchymal condensation and early differentiation of cartilaginous elements. The exposure of digital explants to high levels of Sulf1 expression in vitro led to increased growth of the original 1st phalange but complete inhibition of joint formation and generation of any further phalanges. Sulf1 thus plays a key role during multiple stages of cartilage development and joint formation.     

Engineering cell matrix interactions in assembled polyelectrolyte fiber hydrogels for mesenchymal stem cell chondrogenesis

Cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions are important events in directing stem cell chondrogenesis, which can be promoted in matrix microenvironments presenting appropriate ligands. In this study, interfacial polyelectrolyte complexation (IPC) based hydrogels were employed, wherein the unique formation of submicron size fibers facilitated spatial orientation of ligands within such hydrogels. The influence of aligned, collagen type I (Col I) presentation in IPC hydrogel on chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) was investigated. Early morphological dynamics, onset of N-cadherin/β-catenin mediated chondrogenic induction and differentiation were compared between MSCs encapsulated in IPC-Col I and IPC-control (without Col I) hydrogels, and a conventional Col I hydrogel. MSCs in IPC-Col I hydrogel aligned and packed uniformly, resulting in enhanced cell–cell interactions and cellular condensation, facilitating superior chondrogenesis and the generation of mature hyaline neocartilage, with notable downregulation of fibrocartilaginous marker. Inhibition study using function blocking β1-integrin antibodies reversed the aforementioned outcomes, indicating the importance of coupling integrin mediated cell–matrix interactions and N-cadherin/β-catenin mediated downstream signaling events. This study demonstrated the significance of oriented ligand presentation for MSC chondrogenesis, and the importance of facilitating an orderly sequence of differentiation events, initiated by proximal interactions between MSCs and the extracellular matrix for robust neocartilage formation.     

Versican Knock‐Down Compromises Chondrogenesis in the Embryonic Chick Limb

Mesenchymal cell aggregation is critical for cartilage formation in the vertebrate limb. The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a critical role in governing cell behavior and cell phenotype in this tissue, and the hyalectin versican is highly expressed in the ECM of precartilage mesenchymal cells and developing synovial joints. Although several in vitro studies have been conducted in an attempt to address versican's role during limb mesenchymal condensation, factors such as differences in cell density in culture, variations between chondrogenic cell lines, and the inability to prolong the viability of limb explants have led to conflicting data, mandating an in vivo analysis. By using a morpholino directed strategy in ovo, we performed knock‐down of versican expression in the presumptive ulnar region of the developing chick wing at time points critical to skeletogenesis. These data indicate that in ovo misexpression of versican compromised mesenchymal condensation with resulting ulnar cartilages reduced in length distally by an average of 53% relative to contralateral control limbs. In select versican morphants the olecranon process was also reduced in size proximally and failed to cup the humerus, likely impairing joint morphogenesis. This study represents the first report assessing the role of versican in the developing chick limb in ovo, further demonstrating the importance of versican proteoglycan expression during chondrogenesis and extending previous findings to suggest a role for versican during synovial joint development. Anat Rec, 291:19–27, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

骨髓间充质干细胞向软骨细胞分化过程中miR130α的表达

目的诱导骨髓间充质干细胞向软骨细胞分化,初步探索miR130a在骨髓间充质干细胞向软骨细胞分化过程中的调控作用。方法体外TGF-β1诱导骨髓间充质干细胞向软骨细胞分化,免疫荧光法和免疫组化染色鉴定Ⅱ型胶原,阿辛兰染色鉴定氨基葡聚糖。用Real-time PCR法检测细胞miR130a的表达。结果骨髓间充质干细胞在TGF-β1诱导下可分化为软骨细胞。培养7 d后,诱导培养组细胞miR130a表达的水平显著低于培养前的水平(P<0.05)。结论骨髓间充质干细胞体外诱导可以分化为软骨细胞,在向软骨细胞分化的早期,miR130a表达降低伴随着软骨细胞的分化,提示与软骨形成的过程有关。     

The crosstalk between transforming growth factor-β1 and delta like-1 mediates early chondrogenesis during embryonic endochondral ossification

Delta like-1 (Dlk1)/preadipocyte factor-1 (Pref-1)/fetal antigen-1 (FA1) is a novel surface marker for embryonic chondroprogenitor cells undergoing lineage progression from proliferation to prehypertrophic stages. However, mechanisms mediating control of its expression during chondrogenesis are not known. Thus, we examined the effect of a number of signaling molecules and their inhibitors on Dlk1 expression during in vitro chondrogenic differentiation in mouse embryonic limb bud mesenchymal micromass cultures and mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) pellet cultures. Dlk1/Pref-1 was initially expressed during mesenchymal condensation and chondrocyte proliferation, in parallel with expression of Sox9 and Col2a1, and was downregulated upon the expression of Col10a1 by hypertrophic chondrocytes. Among a number of molecules that affected chondrogenesis, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced proliferation of chondroprogenitors was associated with decreased Dlk1 expression. This effect was abolished by TGF-β signaling inhibitor SB431542, suggesting regulation of Dlk1/FA1 by TGF-β1 signaling in chondrogenesis. TGF-β1-induced Smad phosphorylation and chondrogenesis were significantly increased in Dlk1(-/-) MEF, while they were blocked in Dlk1 overexpressing MEF, in comparison with wild-type MEF. Furthermore, overexpression of Dlk1 or addition of its secreted form FA1 dramatically inhibited TGF-β1-induced Smad reporter activity. In conclusion, our data identified Dlk1/FA1 as a downstream target of TGF-β1 signaling molecule that mediates its function in embryonic chondrogenesis. The crosstalk between TGF-β1 and Dlk1/FA1 was shown to promote early chondrogenesis during the embryonic endochondral ossification process.     

Smad signaling determines chondrogenic differentiation of bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells: inhibition of Smad1/5/8P prevents terminal differentiation and calcification

The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of Smad2/3 and Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation in transforming growth factor-beta-induced chondrogenic differentiation of bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to assess whether specific targeting of different Smad signaling pathways offers possibilities to prevent terminal differentiation and mineralization of chondrogenically differentiated BMSCs. Terminally differentiated chondrocytes produced in vitro by chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs or studied ex vivo during murine embryonic limb formation stained positive for both Smad2/3P and Smad1/5/8P. Hyaline-like cartilage produced in vitro by articular chondrocytes or studied in ex vivo articular cartilage samples that lacked expression for matrix metalloproteinase 13 and collagen X only expressed Smad2/3P. When either Smad2/3 or Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation was blocked in BMSC culture by addition of SB-505124 or dorsomorphin throughout culture, no collagen II expression was observed, indicating that both pathways are involved in early chondrogenesis. Distinct functions for these pathways were demonstrated when Smad signaling was blocked after the onset of chondrogenesis. Blocking Smad2/3P after the onset of chondrogenesis resulted in a halt in collagen II production. On the other hand, blocking Smad1/5/8P during this time period resulted in decreased expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13, collagen X, and alkaline phosphatase while allowing collagen II production. Moreover, blocking Smad1/5/8P prevented mineralization. This indicates that while Smad2/3P is important for continuation of collagen II deposition, Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation is associated with terminal differentiation and mineralization.     

A chondrogenic gene expression signature in mesenchymal stem cells is a classifier of conventional central chondrosarcoma

Phenotypic and molecular parallels between the development of chondrosarcoma and the differentiation of chondrocytes in normal growth plate suggest that chondrosarcoma may arise from mesenchymal precursor cells driven towards chondrogenesis. We hypothesized that a comparison between cartilaginous tumours and their possible physiological cells of origin, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), might have biological and clinical relevance. MSCs from eight donors were submitted to chondrogenic differentiation in spheroid cultures. Expression profiles of MSCs at days 0, 7, 14, 28 and 42 of chondrogenesis and of 18 chondrosarcomas with different histological grades were studied using a customized cDNA array. Hierarchical clustering of MSC gene expression during chondrogenesis allowed the classification of samples in a pre-chondrogenic and a chondrogenic cluster corresponding to the phenotypes of early and late differentiation stages. The 74 genes differentially expressed between the two clusters were defined as chondrogenesis-relevant genes. Gene expression profiles of chondrosarcoma were submitted to hierarchical clustering on the basis of these chondrogenesis-relevant genes. This analysis allowed clear distinction between grade I and grade III chondrosarcoma and separated grade II chondrosarcoma into two groups. All grade II chondrosarcomas with occurrence of metastasis were found together with the grade III chondrosarcomas in the pre-chondrogenic cluster. This analysis shows that a molecular approach based on the comparison of tumour samples to an in vitro model for chondrogenic differentiation allows a new classification of chondrosarcoma in two clusters. These data suggest that the identification of a pre-chondrogenic and a chondrogenic phenotype for chondrosarcoma by gene expression profiling could develop into a useful tool to predict the clinical behaviour of chondrosarcoma. Copyright (c) 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of culture conditions and bone morphogenetic protein 2 on extent of chondrogenesis from human embryonic stem cells

The study of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can provide invaluable insights into the development of numerous human cell and tissue types in vitro. In this study, we addressed the potential of hESCs to undergo chondrogenesis and demonstrated the potential of hESC-derived embryoid bodies (EBs) to undergo a well-defined full-span chondrogenesis from chondrogenic induction to hypertrophic maturation. We compared chondrogenic differentiation of hESCs through EB direct-plating outgrowth system and EB-derived high-density micromass systems under defined serumfree chondrogenic conditions and demonstrated that cell-to-cell contact and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) treatment enhanced chondrocyte differentiation, resulting in the formation of cartilaginous matrix rich in collagens and proteoglycans. Provision of a high-density three-dimensional (3D) microenvironment at the beginning of differentiation is critical in driving chondrogenesis because increasing EB seeding numbers in the EB-outgrowth system was unable to enhance chondrogenesis. Temporal order of chondrogenic differentiation and hypertrophic maturation indicated by the gene expression profiles of Col 1, Col 2, and Col 10, and the deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, proteoglycans, and collagen II and X demonstrated that the in vivo progression of chondrocyte maturation is recapitulated in the hESC-derived EB model system established in this study. Furthermore, we also showed that BMP2 can influence EB differentiation to multiple cell fates, including that of extraembryonic endodermal and mesenchymal lineages in the EB-outgrowth system, but was more committed to driving the chondrogenic cell fate in the EB micromass system. Overall, our findings provide a potential 3D model system using hESCs to delineate gene function in lineage commitment and restriction of chondrogenesis during embryonic cartilage development.     

Electroporation-mediated transfer of SOX trio genes (SOX-5, SOX-6, and SOX-9) to enhance the chondrogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the SOX trio genes (SOX-5, SOX-6, and SOX-9) have a lower level of expression during the chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) compared with chondrocytes and that the electroporation-mediated gene transfer of SOX trio promotes chondrogenesis from human MSCs. An in vitro pellet culture was carried out using MSCs or chondrocytes at passage 3 and analyzed after 7 and 21 days. Then, MSCs were transfected with SOX trio genes and analyzed for the expression of chondrogenic markers after 21 days of in vitro culture. Without transforming growth factor-β1, the untransfected MSCs had a lower level of SOX trio gene and protein expression than chondrocytes. However, the level of SOX-9 gene expression increased in MSCs when treated with transforming growth factor-β1. GAG level significantly increased 7-fold in MSCs co-transfected with SOX trio, which was corroborated by Safranin-O staining. SOX trio co-transfection significantly increased COL2A1 gene and protein and decreased COL10A1 protein in MSCs. It is concluded that the SOX trio have a significantly lower expression in human MSCs than in chondrocytes and that the electroporation-mediated co-transfection of SOX trio enhances chondrogenesis and suppresses hypertrophy of human MSCs.     

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.     

Influence of retinol on human chondrocytes in agarose culture

Vitamin A and its congeners, collectively called retinoids, are known to have teratogenic potential and have induced craniofacial and limb malformations in numerous animal species. More importantly, retinoids are recognized as teratogenic to fetuses of pregnant women who have taken such preparations for dermatologic disorders. Information gathered from the study of animal models suggests that retinoids interfere with cartilage differentiation. If chondrogenesis in limb development is disturbed it may contribute to limb reductions and malformations. In vitro studies using various animal systems have shown that cartilage matrix macromolecules are altered to resemble those secreted by mesenchymal cells. The response of human chondrocytes to retinoids in vitro is not known. Culture of human chondrocytes in agarose maintains the cartilage phenotype and therefore serves as a model system to evaluate the influence of retinoids directly on human chondrogenesis. The studies presented in this paper were done to determine if the expression of specific matrix macromolecules of human chondrocytes in agarose culture is altered by retinol treatment. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated enhanced labeling of type I collagen while type II collagen labeling was reduced in cultures treated with retinol. In addition, morphometric analyses indicated a decrease in the size and number of chondrogenic clusters and that individual cells synthesized less alcian blue matrix when compared to parallel control cultures. The size of the proteoglycan monomers, glycosaminoglycan side chains as well as the disaccharide composition were not affected. However, there was a reduction in the quantity of proteoglycan monomers produced.     

Influence of retinol on human chondrocytes in agarose culture.

Vitamin A and its congeners, collectively called retinoids, are known to have teratogenic potential and have induced craniofacial and limb malformations in numerous animal species. More importantly, retinoids are recognized as teratogenic to fetuses of pregnant women who have taken such preparations for dermatologic disorders. Information gathered from the study of animal models suggests that retinoids interfere with cartilage differentiation. If chondrogenesis in limb development is disturbed it may contribute to limb reductions and malformations. In vitro studies using various animal systems have shown that cartilage matrix macromolecules are altered to resemble those secreted by mesenchymal cells. The response of human chondrocytes to retinoids in vitro is not known. Culture of human chondrocytes in agarose maintains the cartilage phenotype and therefore serves as a model system to evaluate the influence of retinoids directly on human chondrogenesis. The studies presented in this paper were done to determine if the expression of specific matrix macromolecules of human chondrocytes in agarose culture is altered by retinol treatment. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated enhanced labeling of type I collagen while type II collagen labeling was reduced in cultures treated with retinol. In addition, morphometric analyses indicated a decrease in the size and number of chondrogenic clusters and that individual cells synthesized less alcian blue matrix when compared to parallel control cultures. The size of the proteoglycan monomers, glycosaminoglycan side chains as well as the disaccharide composition were not affected. However, there was a reduction in the quantity of proteoglycan monomers produced.     

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.     

TGFbeta2 acts as an "activator" molecule in reaction-diffusion model and is involved in cell sorting phenomenon in mouse limb micromass culture.

It was previously speculated that TGFbeta acts as an "activator"-molecule in chondrogenic pattern formation in the limb micromass culture system, but its precise role and relationship with the cell sorting phenomenon have not been properly studied. In the present study, we examined whether the TGFbeta2 molecule satisfies the necessary conditions for an "activator"-molecule in the reaction-diffusion model. Firstly, we showed that TGFbeta2 became localized at chondrogenic sites during the establishment of a chondrogenic pattern, and exogenous TGFbeta2 promoted chondrogenesis when added in the culture medium. Secondly, TGFbeta2 protein was shown to promote the production of its own mRNA after 3 hr, indicating that a positive feedback mechanism exists which may be responsible for the emergence of the chondrogenic pattern. We then found that when locally applied with beads, TGFbeta2 suppressed chondrogenesis around the beads, indicating it induces the lateral inhibitory mechanism, which is a key element for the formation of the periodic pattern. We also examined the possible effects of TGFbeta2 on the cell sorting phenomenon and found that TGFbeta2 exerts differential chemotactic activity on proximal and distal mesenchyme cells of the limb bud, and at very early phases of differentiation TGFbeta2 promotes the expression of N-cadherin protein which is known to be involved in pattern formation in this culture system. These findings suggest that TGFbeta2 acts as an "activator"-like molecule in chondrogenic pattern formation in vitro, and is possibly responsible for the cell sorting phenomenon.     

Effects of cyclic compressive loading on chondrogenesis of rabbit bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of cyclic compressive loading on chondrogenic differentiation of rabbit bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in agarose cultures. Rabbit BM-MSCs were obtained from the tibias and femurs of New Zealand white rabbits. After the chondrogenic potential of BM-MSCs was verified by pellet cultures, cell-agarose constructs were made by suspending BM-MSCs in 2% agarose (10(7) cells/ml) for a cyclic, unconfined compression test performed in a custom-made bioreactor. Specimens were divided into four groups: control; transforming growth factor (TGF-beta) (with TGF-beta1 treatment); loading (with stimulation of cyclic, unconfined compressive loading); and TGF-beta loading (with TGF-beta1 treatment and loading stimulation) groups. In the loading experiment, specimens were subjected to sinusoidal loading with a 10% strain magnitude at a frequency of 1 Hz for 4 hours a day. Experiments were conducted for 3, 7, and 14 consecutive days. While the experimental groups (TGF-beta, loading, and TGF-beta loading) exhibited significantly higher levels of expressions of chondrogenic markers (collagen II and aggrecan) at three time periods, there were no differences among the experimental groups after an extra 5-day culture. This suggests that compressive loading alone induces chondrogenic differentiation of rabbit BM-MSCs as effectively as TGF-beta or TGF-beta plus loading treatment. Moreover, both the compressive loading and the TGF-beta1 treatment were found to promote the TGF-beta1 gene expression of rabbit BM-MSCs. These findings suggest that cyclic compressive loading can promote the chondrogenesis of rabbit BM-MSCs by inducing the synthesis of TGF-beta1, which can stimulate the BM-MSCs to differentiate into chondrocytes.