Enhanced chondrogenesis in co-cultures with articular chondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cells.

ABSTRACT: In this work, articular chondrocytes (ACs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with 1:1 and 1:3 cell ratios were co-cultured in order to evaluate if a majority of primary ACs can be replaced with MSCs without detrimental effects on in vitro chondrogenesis. We further used a xenogeneic culture model to study if such co-cultures can result in redifferentiation of passaged ACs. Cells were cultured in porous scaffolds for four weeks and their cellularity, cartilage-like matrix formation and chondrogenic gene expression levels (collagen I and II, aggrecan) were measured. Constructs with primary bovine ACs had ~1.6 and 5.5 times higher final DNA and glycosaminoglycan contents, respectively, in comparison to those with culture expanded chondrocytes or MSCs harvested from the same animals. Equally r

SUBMITTER: Meretoja VV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3392514 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature