Stimulation of Chondrogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract

The methods for cartilage repair have been studied so far, yet many of them seem to have limitations due to the low regenerative capacity of articular cartilage. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) has been suggested as an alternative solution to remedy this challenging problem. MSCs, which have extensive differentiation capacity, can be induced to differentiate into chondrocytes under specific conditions. Particularly, this review focused on the effects of growth factors, cell-to-cell interactions and biomaterials in chondrogenesis of MSCs. Appropriate stimulations through these factors are crucial in differentiation and proliferation of MSCs. However, use of MSCs for cartilage repair has some drawbacks and risks, such as expression of hypertrophy-related genes in MSCs-derived chondrocytes and consequent calcification or cell death. Nevertheless, the clinical application of MSCs is expected in the future with advanced technology.

Immunohistochemistry Evaluation of TGF-β1, SOX-9, Type II Collagen and Aggrecan in Cartilage Lesions Treated with Conditioned Medium of Umbilical Cord Mesencyhmal Stem Cells in Wistar Mice (Rattus novergicus)

“…They reported that the articular cartilage defects treated with MSC overexpressing SOX-9 showed the significantly better integration of the repair tissue at the interface with the surrounding normal articular cartilage when compared to the other groups. It is well documented that TGF-β induces expression of a transcriptional factor SOX-9 in its signaling pathway [8]. In our study, we found that SOX-9 expression was greatly increased.…”

“…The extracellular matrix is also comprised of other specific collagens such as type IX and XI [17]. Following the increase in SOX-9 mRNA expression, the production of type II collagen, aggrecan, and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) is observed [8].…”

“…Moreover, SOX-9 prevents chondrocyte hypertrophy and has a redifferentiation effect on osteoarthritic chondrocytes, which have been dedifferentiated. Type II Collagen, a major component of hyaline cartilage, has many advantages as a biomaterial for chondrogeneses, such as biodegradability and the capability to induce repair processes in articular cartilage [8]. Aggrecan is one of the major components of cartilage and binds to hyaluronan (HA) and links proteins to form huge aggregates.…”

The effect of temporal manipulation of transforming growth factor beta 3 and fibroblast growth factor 2 on the derivation of proliferative chondrocytes from mensenchymal stem cells—A study monitored by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and molecular beacon based nanosensors

“…This differentiation process resembles the endochondral ossification in growth plate . The key in comprehending this process is to understand the role of growth factors and extracellular microenvironment on MSC differentiation toward the different zonal chondrocytes . Thus far, chondrocytes derived from MSC differentiation have a tendency to progress into the hypertrophic stage .…”

“…This work aims at investigating differentiation conditions for MSCs to generate proliferative chondrocytes through temporal manipulation of growth factors treatment. Specifically, we aim to study the impact of transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGFβ3) (chondrogeneic inducing factor) and/or fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2; proliferation promoting factor) under various treatment periods . Collagen type II (Col2), a biomarker for assessing the chondrogenic differentiation and Ki67, a proliferative marker are evaluated by both qRT‐PCR and nanosensor‐assisted fluorescence imaging (Fig.…”