Type II collagen is mainly presented in the cartilage as well as in the developing bone, and is considered as a cartilaginous ECM. It is known that human mesenchymal progenitor cells (hMPCs) have a great affinity for Type I collagen which enhances osteogenesis; however, no report has addressed on the modulating role of type II collagen during MPC osteochondral differentiation. In our work, CD90+, SH2+, SH3+, CD34‐, CD14‐ hMPCs were isolated, and the mRNA expression pattern in the presence of beta‐glyceralphosphate and BMP‐2 were analyzed. The data reveal a transient osteochondral stage which expresses type II collagen during the osteogenic induction. At this stage, an up‐regulated VLA2 complex expression which is considered as a potential type II collagen receptor and an increasing type II collagen expression were observed. The differentiating MPCs showed an elevation in FAK and JNK but not ERK and P38 phosphorylation levels upon their attachment to type II collagen coated surface. Furthermore, in osteogenic medium, MPCs cultured on type II collagen‐coated surface showed an accelerated calcification of the cells. Consequently, type II collagen may facilitate osteogenesis through a VLA2‐FAK‐JNK signaling axis during the early differentiation stage of MPCs. This work was supported by the National Science Council grant NSC 97‐3112‐B‐038‐003, Taiwan.
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