Bioluminescence Assays for Monitoring Chondrogenic Differentiation and Cartilage Regeneration

Abstract

Since articular cartilage has a limited regeneration potential, for developing biological therapies for cartilage regeneration it is important to study the mechanisms underlying chondrogenesis of stem cells. Bioluminescence assays can visualize a wide range of biological phenomena such as gene expression, signaling, metabolism, development, cellular movements, and molecular interactions by using visible light and thus contribute substantially to elucidation of their biological functions. This article gives a concise review to introduce basic principles of bioluminescence assays and applications of the technology to visualize the processes of chondrogenesis and cartilage regeneration. Applications of bioluminescence assays have been highlighted in the methods of real-time monitoring of gene expression and intracellular levels of biomolecules and noninvasive cell tracking within animal models. This review suggests that bioluminescence assays can be applied towards a visual understanding of chondrogenesis and cartilage regeneration.

Stem Cells for Cartilage Repair: Preclinical Studies and Insights in Translational Animal Models and Outcome Measures

“…One of the possibilities to minimize particle transfer to other cells is the use of reporter genes. BLI compatible reporter genes such as red/green luciferases have already been used for cartilage tissue engineering to track transplanted cells [ 200 ]. In addition, by labeling cells with an additional chondrogenic reporter gene, cell differentiation can be monitored by means of dual bioluminescence labeling [ 201 ].…”

Ultrasmall compact CMOS imaging system for bioluminescence reporter-based live gene expression analysis

“…It can also lead to phototoxicity in a sample especially during long imaging times. 13 Finally, photobleaching may also occur. These problems can be avoided using bioluminescence imaging (BLI) because it does not need any excitation light and emits a weaker light signal.…”