biostudies-literatureUnknown55(6)Veenendaal LTo unravel causes of disparities in osteoarthritis (OA) prevalence and to improve cell-based cartilage repair treatments, there is need to investigate the multifactorial impact of patient demographics on a biophysiological level. In this study, we systematically analyse single- and multi-demographic impact on in vitro chondrogenic re-differentiation capacity of human articular chondrocytes (hACs), specifically of an Aotearoa-New Zealand (NZ) patient cohort which displays unique demographic diversity. HACs were isolated from 14 NZ donors with distinct demographics (ethnicity: indigenous Māori vs European descendant Pākehā; sex; age 18-24 vs 25-30 yrs). In vitro chondrogenic re-differentiation capacity of donor chondrocytes was assessed through quantifications of cartilage matrix deposition (GAG, DNA, GAG/DNA) and by histological visualisation. Isolated chondrocytes ranged from low chondrogenic re-differentiation capacity, characterised by fibrocartilage tissue deposition, to high re-differentiation capacity to deposit GAG-rich tissue. Age-related reduction in GAG/DNA content was detected while no impact of ethnicity or sex was observed. Multi-demographic analysis revealed reduced GAG deposition in Māori male (compared to Māori female), and Māori (18-24 yrs) compared to Māori (25-30 yrs) and Pākehā (18-24 yrs) within our cohort. Multi-demographic analysis is a promising strategy to understand disparities in OA prevalence in patient cohorts and can help guide development of cell-based strategies for diverse patient populations.Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand1542-1562https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12315134biostudies-literatureDonor ethnicity, sex, and age impact chondrogenic re-differentiation capacity: a multi-demographic study of human articular chondrocytes in vitro.PMC12315134Lim KSVeenendaal LLiu VYLacey CHooper GJLindberg GCJWoodfield TBFfalseDonor ethnicity, sex, and age impact chondrogenic re-differentiation capacity: a multi-demographic study of human articular chondrocytes in vitro.To unravel causes of disparities in osteoarthritis (OA) prevalence and to improve cell-based cartilage repair treatments, there is need to investigate the multifactorial impact of patient demographics on a biophysiological level. In this study, we systematically analyse single- and multi-demographic impact on in vitro chondrogenic re-differentiation capacity of human articular chondrocytes (hACs), specifically of an Aotearoa-New Zealand (NZ) patient cohort which displays unique demographic diversity. HACs were isolated from 14 NZ donors with distinct demographics (ethnicity: indigenous Māori vs European descendant Pākehā; sex; age 18-24 vs 25-30 yrs). In vitro chondrogenic re-differentiation capacity of donor chondrocytes was assessed through quantifications of cartilage matrix deposition (GAG, DNA, GAG/DNA) and by histological visualisation. Isolated chondrocytes ranged from low chondrogenic re-differentiation capacity, characterised by fibrocartilage tissue deposition, to high re-differentiation capacity to deposit GAG-rich tissue. Age-related reduction in GAG/DNA content was detected while no impact of ethnicity or sex was observed. Multi-demographic analysis revealed reduced GAG deposition in Māori male (compared to Māori female), and Māori (18-24 yrs) compared to Māori (25-30 yrs) and Pākehā (18-24 yrs) within our cohort. Multi-demographic analysis is a promising strategy to understand disparities in OA prevalence in patient cohorts and can help guide development of cell-based strategies for diverse patient populations.2025-01-01T00:00:00Z20252026-03-27T15:58:57.746Z2025-08-27T03:07:05.986ZS-EPMC123151344075689210.1080/03036758.2024.2340481