Progenitor Cells from Cartilage: Grade Specific Differences in Stem Cell Marker Expression

Abstract

Recent research has confirmed the presence of Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-like progenitors (MPC) in both normal and osteoarthritic cartilage. However, there is only limited information concerning how MPC markers are expressed with osteoarthritis (OA) progression. The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of various MPC markers in different OA grades. Human osteoarthritic tibial plateaus were obtained from ten patients undergoing total knee replacement. Each sample had been classified into a mild or severe group according to OARSI scoring. Tissue was taken from each specimen and mRNA expression levels of CD105, CD166, Notch 1, Sox9, Acan and Col II A1 were measured at day 0 and day 14 (2 weeks in vitro). Furthermore, MSC markers: Nucleostemin, CD90, CD73, CD166, CD105 and Notch 1 were studied by immunofluorescence. mRNA levels of MSC markers did not differ between mild and severe OA at day 0. At day 14, protein analysis showed that proliferated cells from both sources expressed all 6 MSC markers. Only cells from the mild OA subjects resulted in a significant increase of mRNA CD105 and CD166 after in vitro expansion. Moreover, cells from the mild OA subjects showed significantly higher levels of CD105, Sox9 and Acan compared with those from severe OA specimens. Results confirmed the presence of MSC markers in mild and severe OA tissue at both mRNA and protein levels. We found significant differences between cells obtained from mild compared to severe OA specimens suggests that mild OA derived cells may have a greater MSC potential.

The effect induced by alternated mechanical loading on Notch-1 in mandibular condylar cartilage of growing rabbits

“…It had been proved that Notch-1 was highly associated with osteoarthritis. 23 Overexpression of Notch-1 would imply the fact that articular joint was in an unhealthy condition. 24 In our study, the amount of Notch-1 protein expression kept increasing from two weeks to six weeks.…”

Chondrosarcoma: A Rare Misfortune in Aging Human Cartilage? The Role of Stem and Progenitor Cells in Proliferation, Malignant Degeneration and Therapeutic Resistance

“…Also, adult AC contains MSPC expressing MSC related markers [ 42 ], which are predominantly localized in the superficial zone (SZ) [ 43 , 44 ] and undergo proliferation upon onset of OA [ 44 ]. Depending on the study, the human AC MSPC population was defined as positive for CD105 and CD166 [ 45 , 46 , 47 ], STRO-1 [ 48 ], NOTCH1 [ 49 ], CD166 and CD90 [ 50 ], STRO-1 and FGF2 [ 51 ] or CD106, STRO-1 and NOTCH1 [ 43 , 49 ].…”

Effects of Cartilage Progenitor Cells, Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Chondrocytes on Cartilage Repair as Seed Cells: An in vitro Study

“… 26 , 27 Mazor reported that the levels of CD105, CD166 and SOX9 mRNA in CCs from moderate OA were higher than those in CCs from severe OA. 28 Meanwhile, it was reported that the proportion of CPCs in cartilage of severe OA (10.61%±6.97%) was significantly lower than normal cartilage (18.44%±9.97%). 29 It is suggested that CPCs are closely related to the occurrence and development of OA.…”