Derivation of chondrogenically-committed cells from human embryonic cells for cartilage tissue regeneration.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Heterogeneous and uncontrolled differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in embryoid bodies (EBs) limits the potential use of hESCs for cell-based therapies. More efficient strategies are needed for the commitment and differentiation of hESCs to produce a homogeneous population of specific cell types for tissue regeneration applications.

Methodology/principal findings

We report here that significant chondrocytic commitment of feeder-free cultured human embryonic stem cells (FF-hESCs), as determined by gene expression and immunostaining analysis, was induced by co-culture with primary chondrocytes. Furthermore, a dynamic expression profile of chondrocyte-specific genes was observed during monolayer expansion of the chondrogenically-committed cells. Chon

SUBMITTER: Hwang NS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2423617 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature