eCM (Eur Cell Mater / e Cells & Materials) eCM Open Access Scientific Journal
 ISSN:1473-2262         NLM:100973416 (link)         DOI:10.22203/eCM

2016   Volume No 31 – pages 407-424

Title: Mesenchymal stromal cells from human umbilical cords display poor chondrogenic potential in scaffold-free three dimensional cultures

Authors: A Islam, AK Hansen, C Mennan, I Martinez-Zubiaurre

Address: Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, 9037, Norway

E-mail: inigo.martinez at uit.no

Key Words: Chondrogenesis; 3D pellet culture; Mesenchymal stromal cells, Umbilical cord derived stromal cells; Hoffa’s fat pad derived stromal cells; Synovial membrane derived stromal cells.

Publication date: May 27th 2016

Abstract: Many researchers world over are currently investigating the suitability of stromal cells harvested from foetal tissues for allogeneic cell transplantation therapies or for tissue engineering purposes. In this study, we have investigated the chondrogenic potential of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) isolated from whole sections of human umbilical cord or mixed cord (UCSCs-MC), and compared them with cells isolated from synovial membrane (SMSCs), Hoffa’s fat pad (HFPSCs) and cartilage. All MSCs were positive for surface markers including CD73, CD90, CD105, CD44, CD146 and CD166, but negative for CD11b, CD19, CD34, CD45 and HLA-DR in addition to CD106 and CD271. Chondrogenic potential of all cell sources was studied using 3D pellet cultures incubated in the presence of different combinations of anabolic substances such as dexamethasone, IGF-1, TGF-β1, TGF-β3, BMP-2 and BMP-7. BMP-2 and dexamethasone in combination with TGF-β1 or TGF-β3 excelled at inducing chondrogenesis on SMSCs, HFPSCs and chondrocytes, as measured by glycosaminoglycans and collagen type II staining of pellets, quantitative glycosaminoglycan expression, quantitative PCR of cartilage signature genes and electron microscopy. In contrast, none of the tested growth factor combinations was sufficient to induce chondrogenesis on UCSCs-MC. Moreover, incubation of UCSCs-MC spheroids in the presence of cartilage pieces or synovial cells in co-cultures did not aid chondrogenic induction. In summary, we show that in comparison with MSCs harvested from adult joint tissues, UCSCs-MC display poor chondrogenic abilities. This observation should alert researchers at the time of considering UCSCs-MC as cartilage forming cells in tissue engineering or repair strategies.

Article download: Pages 407-424 (PDF file)
DOI: 10.22203/eCM.v031a26