The Chondrogenic Potential of First-Trimester and Term Placental Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells

Abstract

Objectives Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are a well-established cell source for cartilage engineering, but challenges remain as differentiation often results in chondrocyte hypertrophy. Chondrogenic potential also varies with MSC source and donor age. We assessed the chondrogenic potential of first-trimester and term placental MSCs and compared their response to commonly used bone marrow MSCs (BM-MSCs). Design MSCs were isolated from first-trimester and term placentae. BM-MSCs were commercially obtained. Chondrogenesis was induced by micromass culture in commercial chondrogenic media for 7, 14, or 21 days. Pellets were assessed for glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content, and types I, II, and X collagen. Gene expression was profiled using Qiagen RT2 human MSC arrays. Results At day 0, first-trimester and term MSCs expression levels of many chondrogenic genes to BM-MSC after 21 days of culture. Only first trimester MSCs showed significant changes in chondrogenic gene expression during induction compared to day 0 undifferentiated MSCs (greater BMP4, KAT2B, and reduced GDF6 expression). Additionally, first-trimester MSCs showed significantly greater expression of ABCB1 (at days 14 and 21) and BMP4 (at days 7, 14, 21) compared with term MSCs. Both first-trimester and term pellets showed increased GAG content over time and term MSCs had significantly GAG greater compared with BM-MSCs at days 7 and 14. Type II collagen was present in all pellets but unlike BM-MSCs, type I collagen was not observed in first-trimester or term MSC pellets. Conclusions These data highlight differences in BM-MSC and placental MSC chondrogenesis and demonstrate that placental MSCs may be an alternative cell source.

Spheroid Culture System, a Promising Method for Chondrogenic Differentiation of Dental Mesenchymal Stem Cells

“…Besides, as in this study, Prideaux et al found a very large increase in Comp in cells cultured with chondrogenic medium compared to those cultured in complete medium (about 200-fold) [55]. These results agree with some studies in the literature: in a study by Joanna L. James et al, no increase in Sox9 was observed during chondrogenesis [23]. Similarly, Prideaux et al generated two cell lines capable of chondrogenic differentiation.…”

“…Further, MSCs are known to exert immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects [17]. MSCs can be isolated from various tissues (bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord, skeletal muscle, cartilage, synovium, cardiac tissue, and dental tissue) [18][19][20][21][22] and MSCs differentiation can be influenced by the cell source [23].…”

Osteochondral Regeneration Ability of Uncultured Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells and Platelet-Rich Fibrin Scaffold

“…Numerous authors have concentrated their attention on the application of PRF in the tissue engineering of cartilage and tendons, which has resulted in an increase in in vitro, preclinical, and clinical research [ 14 , 19 , 20 ]. Chondrogenesis depends on several cartilage-specific markers, including collagen, aggrecan (ACAN), SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9), and osteogenic-related markers, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALPL), bone gamma-carboxyglutamate protein (BGLAP), and RUNX family transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), which participate in tissue regeneration [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”