Chondrogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Tips and Tricks

Abstract

It is well known that adult cartilage lacks the ability to repair itself; this makes articular cartilage a very attractive target for tissue engineering. The majority of articular cartilage repair models attempt to deliver or recruit reparative cells to the site of injury. A number of efforts are directed to the characterization of progenitor cells and the understanding of the mechanisms involved in their chondrogenic differentiation. Our laboratory has focused on cartilage repair using mesenchymal stem cells and studied their differentiation into cartilage. Mesenchymal stem cells are attractive candidates for cartilage repair due to their osteogenic and chondrogenic potential, ease of harvest, and ease of expansion in culture. However, the need for chondrogenic differentiation is superposed on other technical issues associated with cartilage repair; this adds a level of complexity over using mature chondrocytes. This chapter will focus on the methods involved in the isolation and expansion of human mesenchymal stem cells, their differentiation along the chondrogenic lineage, and the qualitative and quantitative assessment of chondrogenic differentiation.

Raman spectroscopy and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering imaging: prospective tools for monitoring skeletal cells and skeletal regeneration

“…Currently, SSC differentiation can be evaluated through a number of assays including colorimetric assays [17], real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) [17,18], histochemical analysis [18] and immunohistochemical assays [19]. These methods reveal the detailed biochemical features of SSCs and provide important information regarding their state of differentiation.…”

Tissue Engineering for Tissue and Organ Regeneration

“…Chondrocytes unfortunately tend to dedifferentiation towards the fibroblast cell lineage when expanded in culture making them less suitable for transplantation (Schulze-Tanzil, 2009 (Wilson et al, 2010;Kasper et al, 2009). Adult cells with chondrogenic potential have been isolated from a large number of tissues and have been reviewed elsewhere (Solchaga et al, 2011;O'Sullivan et al, 2011). Embryonic and recently, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), may also be valuable cell sources for cartilage repair (Hiramatsu et al, 2011;Medvedev et al, 2010;Waese and Stanford, 2011;Fecek et al, 2008).…”

Joint Cartilage Tissue Engineering and Pre-Clinical Safety and Efficacy Testing

“…This is paradoxical to the fact that clinical cases often occur in aged individuals (Wilson et al, 2010;Kasper et al, 2009). Adult cells with chondrogenic potential have been isolated from a large number of tissues and have been reviewed elsewhere (Solchaga et al, 2011;Hildner et al, 2011;O'Sullivan et al, 2011). Embryonic and recently, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), may also be valuable cell sources for cartilage repair (Hiramatsu et al, 2011;Medvedev et al, 2010;Waese and Stanford, 2011;Fecek et al, 2008).…”