Simple and Robust Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells toward Chondrocytes by Two Small-Molecule Compounds.

ABSTRACT: A simple induction protocol to differentiate chondrocytes from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) using small-molecule compounds is beneficial for cartilage regenerative medicine and mechanistic studies of chondrogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that chondrocytes are robustly induced from human PSCs by simple combination of two compounds, CHIR99021, a glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibitor, and TTNPB, a retinoic acid receptor (RAR) agonist, under serum- and feeder-free conditions within 5-9 days. An excellent differentiation efficiency and potential to form hyaline cartilaginous tissues in vivo were demonstrated. Comprehensive gene expression and open chromatin analyses at each protocol stage revealed step-by-step differentiation toward chondrocytes. Genome-wide analysis of RAR and β-catenin associa

SUBMITTER: Kawata M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6739881 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature