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Characterization of human mesenchymal stem cell-engineered cartilage: analysis of its ultrastructure, cell density and chondrocyte phenotype compared to native adult and fetal cartilage. Cells Tissues Organs 2010;191(1):12-20

Date

06/24/2009

Pubmed ID

19546516

DOI

10.1159/000225985

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-73349120943 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   27 Citations

Abstract

The production of engineered cartilage from mesenchymal stem cells is a rapidly developing field. Potential applications include the treatment of degenerative joint disease as well as the treatment of traumatic and surgical bone injury. Prior to clinical application, however, further characterization of the morphology, ultrastructure, biocompatibility, and performance of the engineered tissue is warranted. To achieve this, human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were grown in vitro in pellet culture for 3 weeks in chondrogenic medium conditions. The resultant engineered cartilage was compared to native adult and fetal tissue. Routine histology, special stains, and ultrastructural and quantitative histomorphometric analyses were performed. The engineered tissue demonstrated a similar chondrocyte phenotype, collagen fibril appearance, and matrix distribution when compared to native cartilage. By histomorphometric analysis, the cell density of the engineered cartilage was between that of native fetal and adult cartilage. The cell-to-matrix ratio and cellular area fraction of engineered cartilage samples was significantly greater than in adult samples, but indistinguishable from fetal cartilage samples, supporting the hypothesis that hMSC-engineered cartilage regeneration may mimic fetal cartilage development.

Author List

Hillel AT, Taube JM, Cornish TC, Sharma B, Halushka M, McCarthy EF, Hutchins GM, Elisseeff JH

Author

Toby Charles Cornish MD, PhD Professor in the Pathology department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Bone Marrow Cells
Cartilage
Cell Count
Chondrocytes
Chondrogenesis
Extracellular Matrix
Fetus
Fibrillar Collagens
Humans
Regeneration
Tissue Engineering