Differentiation plasticity of chondrocytes derived from mouse embryonic stem cells

A novel in vitro assay to study chondrocyte-to-osteoblast transdifferentiation

PURPOSE

Endochondral ossification, which involves transdifferentiation of chondrocytes into osteoblasts, is an important process involved in the development and postnatal growth of most vertebrate bones as well as in bone fracture healing. To study the basic molecular mechanisms of this process, a robust and easy-to-use in vitro model is desirable. Therefore, we aimed to develop a standardized in vitro assay for the transdifferentiation of chondrogenic cells towards the osteogenic lineage.

METHODS

Murine chondrogenic ATDC5 cells were differentiated into the chondrogenic lineage for seven days and subsequently differentiated towards the osteogenic direction. Gene expression analysis of pluripotency, as well as chondrogenic and osteogenic markers, cell-matrix staining, and immunofluorescent staining, were performed to assess the differentiation. In addition, the effects of Wnt3a and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on the transdifferentiation were tested by their addition to the osteogenic differentiation medium.

RESULTS

Following osteogenic differentiation, chondrogenically pe-differentiated cells displayed the expression of pluripotency and osteogenic marker genes as well as alkaline phosphatase activity and a mineralized matrix. Co-expression of Col2a1 and Col1a1 after one day of osteogenic differentiation indicated that osteogenic cells had differentiated from chondrogenic cells. Wnt3a increased and LPS decreased transdifferentiation towards the osteogenic lineage.

CONCLUSION

We successfully established a rapid, standardized in vitro assay for the transdifferentiation of chondrogenic cells into osteogenic cells, which is suitable for testing the effects of different compounds on this cellular process.

Inflammation-Modulating Hydrogels for Osteoarthritis Cartilage Tissue Engineering

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of the joint disease associated with age, obesity, and traumatic injury. It is a disabling degenerative disease that affects synovial joints and leads to cartilage deterioration. Despite the prevalence of this disease, the understanding of OA pathophysiology is still incomplete. However, the onset and progression of OA are heavily associated with the inflammation of the joint. Therefore, studies on OA treatment have sought to intra-articularly deliver anti-inflammatory drugs, proteins, genes, or cells to locally control inflammation in OA joints. These therapeutics have been delivered alone or increasingly, in delivery vehicles for sustained release. The use of hydrogels in OA treatment can extend beyond the delivery of anti-inflammatory components to have inherent immunomodulatory function via regulating immune cell polarization and activity. Currently, such immunomodulatory biomaterials are being developed for other applications, which can be translated into OA therapy. Moreover, anabolic and proliferative levels of OA chondrocytes are low, except initially, when chondrocytes temporarily increase anabolism and proliferation in response to structural changes in their extracellular environment. Therefore, treatments need to restore matrix protein synthesis and proliferation to healthy levels to reverse OA-induced damage. In conjugation with injectable and/or adhesive hydrogels that promote cartilage tissue regeneration, immunomodulatory tissue engineering solutions will have robust potential in OA treatment. This review describes the disease, its current and future immunomodulatory therapies as well as cartilage-regenerative injectable and adhesive hydrogels.

Recapitulating bone development events in a customised bioreactor through interplay of oxygen tension, medium pH, and systematic differentiation approaches

Bone development and homeostasis are intricate processes that require co-existence and dynamic interactions among multiple cell types. However, controlled dynamic niches that derive and support stable propagation of these cells from single stem cell source is not sustainable in conventional culturing vessels. In bioreactor cultures that support dynamic niches, the limited source and stability of growth factors are often a major limiting factor for long-term in vitro cultures. Hence, alternative growth factor-free differentiation approaches are designed and their efficacy to achieve different osteochondral cell types is investigated. Briefly, a dynamic niche is achieved by varying medium pH, oxygen tension (pO₂ ) distribution in bioreactor, initiating chondrogenic differentiation with chondroitin sulphate A (CSA), and implementing systematic differentiation regimes. In this study, we demonstrated that CSA is a potent chondrogenic inducer, specifically in combination with acidic medium and low pO₂ . Further, endochondral ossification is recapitulated through a systematic chondrogenic-osteogenic (ch-os) differentiation regime, and multiple osteochondral cell types are derived. Chondrogenic hypertrophy was also enhanced specifically in high pO₂ regions. Consequently, mineralised constructs with higher structural integrity, volume, and tailored dimensions are achieved. In contrast, a continuous osteogenic differentiation regime (os-os) has derived compact and dense constructs, whereas a continuous chondrogenic differentiation regime (ch-ch) has attenuated construct mineralisation and impaired development. In conclusion, a growth factor-free differentiation approach is achieved through interplay of pO₂ , medium pH, and systematic differentiation regimes. The controlled dynamic niches have recapitulated endochondral ossification and can potentially be exploited to derive larger bone constructs with near physiological properties.

Programmed conversion of hypertrophic chondrocytes into osteoblasts and marrow adipocytes within zebrafish bones

Much of the vertebrate skeleton develops from cartilage templates that are progressively remodeled into bone. Lineage tracing studies in mouse suggest that chondrocytes within these templates persist and become osteoblasts, yet the underlying mechanisms of this process and whether chondrocytes can generate other derivatives remain unclear. We find that zebrafish cartilages undergo extensive remodeling and vascularization during juvenile stages to generate fat-filled bones. Growth plate chondrocytes marked by sox10 and col2a1a contribute to osteoblasts, marrow adipocytes, and mesenchymal cells within adult bones. At the edge of the hypertrophic zone, chondrocytes re-enter the cell cycle and express leptin receptor (lepr), suggesting conversion into progenitors. Further, mutation of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (mmp9) results in delayed growth plate remodeling and fewer marrow adipocytes. Our data support Mmp9-dependent growth plate remodeling and conversion of chondrocytes into osteoblasts and marrow adipocytes as conserved features of bony vertebrates.

Osteochondral Tissue Regeneration Using a Tyramine-Modified Bilayered PLGA Scaffold Combined with Articular Chondrocytes in a Porcine Model

Repairing damaged articular cartilage is challenging due to the limited regenerative capacity of hyaline cartilage. In this study, we fabricated a bilayered poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold with small (200–300 μm) and large (200–500 μm) pores by salt leaching to stimulate chondrocyte differentiation, cartilage formation, and endochondral ossification. The scaffold surface was treated with tyramine to promote scaffold integration into native tissue. Porcine chondrocytes retained a round shape during differentiation when grown on the small pore size scaffold, and had a fibroblast-like morphology during transdifferentiation in the large pore size scaffold after five days of culture. Tyramine-treated scaffolds with mixed pore sizes seeded with chondrocytes were pressed into three-mm porcine osteochondral defects; tyramine treatment enhanced the adhesion of the small pore size scaffold to osteochondral tissue and increased glycosaminoglycan and collagen type II (Col II) contents, while reducing collagen type X (Col X) production in the cartilage layer. Col X content was higher for scaffolds with a large pore size, which was accompanied by the enhanced generation of subchondral bone. Thus, chondrocytes seeded in tyramine-treated bilayered scaffolds with small and large pores in the upper and lower parts, respectively, can promote osteochondral regeneration and integration for articular cartilage repair.

Combating Osteoarthritis through Stem Cell Therapies by Rejuvenating Cartilage: A Review

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disorder which could be distinguished by erosion of articular cartilage, pain, stiffness, and crepitus. Not only aging-associated alterations but also the metabolic factors such as hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and obesity affect articular tissues and may initiate or exacerbate the OA. The poor self-healing ability of articular cartilage due to limited regeneration in chondrocytes further adversely affects the osteoarthritic microenvironment. Traditional and current surgical treatment procedures for OA are limited and incapable to reverse the damage of articular cartilage. To overcome these limitations, cell-based therapies are currently being employed to repair and regenerate the structure and function of articular tissues. These therapies not only depend upon source and type of stem cells but also on environmental conditions, growth factors, and chemical and mechanical stimuli. Recently, the pluripotent and various multipotent mesenchymal stem cells have been employed for OA therapy, due to their differentiation potential towards chondrogenic lineage. Additionally, the stem cells have also been supplemented with growth factors to achieve higher healing response in osteoarthritic cartilage. In this review, we summarized the current status of stem cell therapies in OA pathophysiology and also highlighted the potential areas of further research needed in regenerative medicine.

Cartilage regeneration and ageing: Targeting cellular plasticity in osteoarthritis

Ageing processes play a major contributing role for the development of Osteoarthritis (OA). This prototypic degenerative condition of ageing is the most common form of arthritis and is accompanied by a general decline, chronic pain and mobility deficits. The disease is primarily characterized by articular cartilage degradation, followed by subchondral bone thickening, osteophyte formation, synovial inflammation and joint degeneration. In the early stages, osteoarthritic chondrocytes undergo phenotypic changes that increase cell proliferation and cluster formation and enhance the production of matrix-remodelling enzymes. In fact, chondrocytes exhibit differentiation plasticity and undergo phenotypic changes during the healing process. Current studies are focusing on unravelling whether OA is a consequence of an abnormal wound healing response. Recent investigations suggest that alterations in different proteins, such as TGF-ß/BMPs, NF-Kß, Wnt, and Cx43, or SASP factors involved in signalling pathways in wound healing response, could be directly implicated in the initiation of OA. Several findings suggest that osteoarthritic chondrocytes remain in an immature state expressing stemness-associated cell surface markers. In fact, the efficacy of new disease-modifying OA drugs that promote chondrogenic differentiation in animal models indicates that this may be a drug-sensible state. In this review, we highlight the current knowledge regarding cellular plasticity in chondrocytes and OA. A better comprehension of the mechanisms involved in these processes may enable us to understand the molecular pathways that promote abnormal repair and cartilage degradation in OA. This understanding would be advantageous in identifying novel targets and designing therapies to promote effective cartilage repair and successful joint ageing by preventing functional limitations and disability.

Ginkgolic acid, a sumoylation inhibitor, promotes adipocyte commitment but suppresses adipocyte terminal differentiation of mouse bone marrow stromal cells

Sumoylation is a post-translational modification process having an important influence in mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation. Thus, sumoylation-modulating chemicals might be used to control MSC differentiation for skeletal tissue engineering. In this work, we studied how the differentiation of mouse bone marrow stromal cells (mBMSCs) is affected by ginkgolic acid (GA), a potent sumoylation inhibitor also reported to inhibit histone acetylation transferase (HAT). Our results show that GA promoted the differentiation of mBMSCs into adipocytes when cultured in osteogenic medium. Moreover, mBMSCs pre-treated with GA showed enhanced pre-adipogenic gene expression and were more efficiently differentiated into adipocytes when subsequently cultured in the adipogenic medium. However, when GA was added at a later stage of adipogenesis, adipocyte maturation was markedly inhibited, with a dramatic down-regulation of multiple lipogenesis genes. Moreover, we found that the effects of garcinol, a HAT inhibitor, differed from those of GA in regulating adipocyte commitment and adipocyte maturation of mBMSCs, implying that the GA function in adipogenesis is likely through its activity as a sumoylation inhibitor, not as a HAT inhibitor. Overall, our studies revealed an unprecedented role of GA in MSC differentiation and provide new mechanistic insights into the use of GA in clinical applications.

Embryonic Stem Cells in Development and Regenerative Medicine

After progressive improvement in embryonic stem (ES) cell field, several studies have been conducted to explore the usage of ES cells in regenerative medicine. Unlimited self renewal and pluripoteny properties, combined with encouraging preclinical trials, remark that ES cell technology might be promising for clinical practice. ES cells, which can form three germ layers in vitro, are potential candidates to study development at the cellular and molecular level. Understanding the cell fate decision and differentiation processes during development might enable generating functional progenitor cells for tissue restoration. Progression in gene modifications and tissue engineering technology has facilitated the derivation of desired cells for therapy. Success in differentiation protocols and identification the regulatory pathways simplify the research for clinical applications. Although there are established protocols for cell differentiation in vitro and promising preclinical studies in vivo, many challenges need to be adressed before clinical translation. In this review, ES cells are discussed as a model of development in vitro and as a potential candidate for regenerative medicine. This review also dissusses current challenges for ES cell based therapy.

Generating cartilage repair from pluripotent stem cells

The treatment of degeneration and injury of articular cartilage has been very challenging for scientists and surgeons. As an avascular and hypocellular tissue, cartilage has a very limited capacity for self-repair. Chondrocytes are the only cell type in cartilage, in which they are surrounded by the extracellular matrix that they secrete and assemble. Autologous chondrocyte implantation for cartilage defects has achieved good results, but the limited resources and complexity of the procedure have hindered wider application. Stem cells form an alternative to chondrocytes as a source of chondrogenic cells due to their ability to proliferate extensively while retaining the potential for differentiation. Adult stem cells such as mesenchymal stem cells have been differentiated into chondrocytes, but the limitations in their proliferative ability and the heterogeneous cell population hinder their adoption as a prime alternative source for generating chondrocytes. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are attractive as candidates for cell replacement therapy because of their unlimited self-renewal and ability for differentiation into mesodermal derivatives as well as other lineages. In this review, we focus on current protocols for chondrogenic differentiation of ESCs, in particular the chemically defined culture system developed in our lab that could potentially be adapted for clinical application.

Cell sources for trachea tissue engineering: past, present and future

Trachea tissue engineering has been one of the most promising approaches to providing a potential clinical application for the treatment of long-segment tracheal stenosis. The sources of the cells are particularly important as the primary factor for tissue engineering. The use of appropriate cells seeded onto scaffolds holds huge promise as a means of engineering the trachea. Furthermore, appropriate cells would accelerate the regeneration of the tissue even without scaffolds. Besides autologous mature cells, various stem cells, including bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, adipose tissue-derived stem cells, umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells, amniotic fluid stem cells, embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, have received extensive attention in the field of trachea tissue engineering. Therefore, this article reviews the progress on different cell sources for engineering tracheal cartilage and epithelium, which can lead to a better selection and strategy for engineering the trachea.

Chondrogenic differentiation in vitro of murine two-factor induced pluripotent stem cells is comparable to murine embryonic stem cells

Differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells via embryoid bodies has been established as an appropriate model to study the development of various cell types in vitro. Here, we show that murine induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, reprogrammed by exogenous expression of the two transcription factors Oct4 and Klf4 (2F OK iPS), differentiate into chondrocytes in vitro characterized by the appearance of Alcian blue-stained nodules and the expression of cartilage-associated genes and proteins. Quantitatively, the chondrogenic differentiation potential of 2F OK iPS and ES cells was found to be similar. Further, we demonstrate the induction of chondrogenic iPS cell differentiation by certain members of the transforming growth factor-β family (BMP-2, TGF-β(1)). The number of Alcian blue-positive nodules and the expression of the cartilage marker molecule collagen type II increased after application of BMP-2, whereas simultaneous treatment with both BMP-2 and TGF-β(1) showed no significant effect on gene expression.

Simvastatin modulates mouse embryonic stem cell-derived chondrogenesis in vitro

It has been studied in detail that cellular differentiation during chondrogenesis can be recapitulated in vitro by differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells as embryoid bodies (EBs). We here used this model system of cartilage development to analyze the effect of simvastatin, a potentially embryotoxic substance. Statins are a group of drugs used to treat hypercholesterolaemia. We found that simvastatin activated cartilage nodule formation during EB differentiation. Extended application of simvastatin resulted in enhanced expression of cartilage marker molecules and prolonged persistence of cartilage nodules. Expression of collagen type II was upregulated during simvastatin-induced chondrogenic ES cell differentiation as demonstrated by quantitative real time PCR. However, immunostaining for cartilage marker molecules revealed that cartilage nodules within simvastatin-treated EBs were defective, bearing cavities of cell loss. Furthermore, caspase activity was reduced in comparison to untreated controls indicating reduced apoptosis. Taken together, we may speculate that simvastatin prolongs survival of chondrocytes and disrupts cellular integrity of cartilage nodules during EB development by affecting apoptotic mechanisms. The study underlines that ES cell-derived EBs are a useful in vitro model to screen substances for their embryotoxic and teratogenic potential.

Mesenchymal stem cells as a potent cell source for bone regeneration

While small bone defects heal spontaneously, large bone defects need surgical intervention for bone transplantation. Autologous bone grafts are the best and safest strategy for bone repair. An alternative method is to use allogenic bone graft. Both methods have limitations, particularly when bone defects are of a critical size. In these cases, bone constructs created by tissue engineering technologies are of utmost importance. Cells are one main component in the manufacture of bone construct. A few cell types, including embryonic stem cells (ESCs), adult osteoblast, and adult stem cells, can be used for this purpose. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as adult stem cells, possess characteristics that make them good candidate for bone repair. This paper discusses different aspects of MSCs that render them an appropriate cell type for clinical use to promote bone regeneration.

Dysregulated in vitro hematopoiesis, radiosensitivity, proliferation, and osteoblastogenesis with marrow from SAMP6 mice

The senescence accelerated-prone mouse variant 6 (SAMP6) shows normal growth followed by rapid aging, development of osteopenia, and shortened lifespan, compared with control R1 mice. Because oxidative stress is a fundamental mechanism of tissue aging, we tested whether cellular parameters that are associated with oxidative stress are impaired with marrow from SAMP6 mice. We compared in vitro hematopoiesis, irradiation sensitivity, proliferative potential, and osteoblastogenesis with marrow cells from SAMP6 and R1 mice. Marrow cells from SAMP6 mice showed shortened in vitro hematopoiesis; their stromal cells showed greater radiation sensitivity and decreased proliferation. Consistent with those properties, there was constitutive upregulation of transforming growth factor-β(1), an inhibitor of hematopoiesis, and of cell cycle inhibitory genes, p16(INK4A) and p19(ARF). Paradoxically, there was constitutive expression of osteoblast genes in stromal cells from SAMP6 mice, but in vitro matrix mineralization was impaired. These studies and data included in other reports indicate that impaired proliferation of osteoblast progenitors in SAMP6 marrow may be a major factor contributing to accelerated loss of bone mass. In sum, marrow from SAMP6 mice had diminished capacity for long-term hematopoiesis, increased radiosensitivity, and reduced proliferative capacity.

Potential of human embryonic stem cells in cartilage tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

The current surgical intervention of using autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) for cartilage repair is associated with several problems such as donor site morbidity, de-differentiation upon expansion and fibrocartilage repair following transplantation. This has led to exploration of the use of stem cells as a model for chondrogenic differentiation as well as a potential source of chondrogenic cells for cartilage tissue engineering and repair. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are advantageous, due to their unlimited self-renewal and pluripotency, thus representing an immortal cell source that could potentially provide an unlimited supply of chondrogenic cells for both cell and tissue-based therapies and replacements. This review aims to present an overview of emerging trends of using ESCs in cartilage tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In particular, we will be focusing on ESCs as a promising cell source for cartilage regeneration, the various strategies and approaches employed in chondrogenic differentiation and tissue engineering, the associated outcomes from animal studies, and the challenges that need to be overcome before clinical application is possible.

Notch1 signaling regulates chondrogenic lineage determination through Sox9 activation

Notch signaling is involved in several cell lineage determination processes during embryonic development. Recently, we have shown that Sox9 is most likely a primary target gene of Notch1 signaling in embryonic stem cells (ESCs). By using our in vitro differentiation protocol for chondrogenesis from ESCs through embryoid bodies (EBs) together with our tamoxifen-inducible system to activate Notch1, we analyzed the function of Notch signaling and its induction of Sox9 during EB differentiation towards the chondrogenic lineage. Temporary activation of Notch1 during early stages of EB, when lineage determination occurs, was accompanied by rapid and transient Sox9 upregulation and resulted in induction of chondrogenic differentiation during later stages of EB cultivation. Using siRNA targeting Sox9, we knocked down and adjusted this early Notch1-induced Sox9 expression peak to non-induced levels, which led to reversion of Notch1-induced chondrogenic differentiation. In contrast, continuous Notch1 activation during EB cultivation resulted in complete inhibition of chondrogenic differentiation. Furthermore, a reduction and delay of cardiac differentiation observed in EBs after early Notch1 activation was not reversed by siRNA-mediated Sox9 knockdown. Our data indicate that Notch1 signaling has an important role during early stages of chondrogenic lineage determination by regulation of Sox9 expression.

Chondrocytes derived from mouse embryonic stem cells

Our knowledge of cellular differentiation processes during chondro- and osteogenesis, in particular the complex interaction of differentiation factors, is still limited. We used the model system of embryonic stem (ES) cell differentiation in vitro via cellular aggregates, so called embryoid bodies (EBs), to analyze chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation. ES cells differentiated into chondrocytes and osteocytes throughout a series of developmental stages resembling cellular differentiation events during skeletal development in vivo. A lineage from pluripotent ES cells via mesenchymal, prechondrogenic cells, chondrocytes and hypertrophicchondrocytes up to osteogenic cells was characterized. Furthermore, we found evidence for another osteogenic lineage, bypassing the chondrogenic stage. Together our results suggest that this in vitro system will be helpful to answer so far unacknowledged questions regarding chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation. For example, we isolated an as yet unknown cDNA fragment from ES cell-derived chondrocytes, which showed a developmentally regulated expression pattern during EB differentiation. Considering ES cell differentiation as an alternative approach for cellular therapy, we used two different methods to obtain pure chondrocyte cultures from the heterogenous EBs. First, members of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta family were applied and found to modulate chondrogenic differentiation but were not effective enough to produce sufficient amounts of chondrocytes. Second, chondrocytes were isolated from EBs by micro-manipulation. These cells initially showed dedifferentiation into fiboblastoid cells in culture, but later redifferentiated into mature chondrocytes. However, a small amount of chondrocytes isolated from EBs transdifferentiated into other mesenchymal cell types, indicating that chondrocytes derived from ES cells posses a distinct differentiation plasticity.

Osteogenic differentiation of ES cell-derived EBs mediated by embedded BMP-2 and TGF-beta-1 in a polyelectrolyte multilayer film

In recent years, considerable effort has been devoted to the design and controlled fabrication of structured materials with functional properties. The layer by layer buildup of polyelectrolyte multilayer films (PEM films) from oppositely charged polyelectrolytes1 offers new opportunities for the preparation of functionalized biomaterial coatings. This technique allows the preparation of supramolecular nano-architectures exhibiting specific properties in terms of control of cell activation and may also play a role in the development of local drug delivery systems. Peptides, proteins or DNA, chemically bound to polyelectrolytes, adsorbed or embedded in PEM films, have been shown to retain their biological activities. Recently, tissue engineering has merged with stem cell technology with interest to develop new sources of transplantable material for injury or disease treatment. Eminently interesting, are bone and joint injuries disorders because of the low self-regenerating capacity of the matrix secreting cells. We present here for the first time that embedded BMP-2 and TGFβ1 in a multilayered polyelectrolyte film can drive embryonic stem cells to the cartilage or bone differentiation depending on supplementary co-factors. We selected a model system made from layer by layer poly-ℓ-glutamic acid (PℓGA) and poly-ℓ-lysine succinylated (PℓLs) films into which BMP-2 and TGFβ1 have been embedded. Our results demonstrate clearly that we are able to induce osteogenesis in embryonic stem cells mediated by growth factors embedded in a polyelectrolyte multilayer film.

Embryonic stem cells for osteo-degenerative diseases

Current orthopedic practice to treat osteo-degenerative diseases, such as osteoporosis, calls for antiresorptive therapies and anabolic bone medications. In some cases, surgery, in which metal rods are inserted into the bones, brings symptomatic relief. As these treatments may ameliorate the symptoms, but cannot cure the underlying dysregulation of the bone, the orthopedic field seems ripe for regenerative therapies using transplantation of stem cells. Stem cells bring with them the promise of completely curing a disease state, as these are the cells that normally regenerate tissues in a healthy organism. This chapter assembles reports that have successfully used stem cells to generate osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and chondrocytes - the cells that can be found in healthy bone tissue - in culture, and review and collate studies about animal models that were employed to test the function of these in vitro "made" cells. A particular emphasis is placed on embryonic stem cells, the most versatile of all stem cells. Due to their pluripotency, embryonic stem cells represent the probably most challenging stem cells to bring into the clinic, and therefore, the associated problems are discussed to put into perspective where the field currently is and what we can expect for the future.

Induction of mesenchymal progenitor cells with chondrogenic property from mouse-induced pluripotent stem cells

Despite recent cell-engineering advances, treatment and repair of cartilage remains challenging. Although stem cell transplantation therapy using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is considered a prominent strategy, the major problem of limited proliferative capacity of autologous cells has been unsolved. Recently, an induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell line was suggested as an alternative way to cure various human diseases due to their potential proliferating infinitely while possessing the capacity to form all types of cells. However, the method to induce lineage-restricted differentiation has not been well examined or established. Here, we suggest a simple method to induce mesenchymal progenitors possessing chondrogenic property from mouse iPS cells. The MSC-like cells produced in our study expressed some MSC markers, and could also differentiate to osteoblast and adipocyte. The present study demonstrates the property of iPS cells as an alternative candidate for treatment of articular disorders, and suggests an effective approach for preparing chondrocyte from iPS cells.

Reduced differentiation efficiency of murine embryonic stem cells in stirred suspension bioreactors

The use of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) for regenerative medicine has generated increased attention due to the favorable attributes of these cells; namely, they are pluripotent and possess long-term self-renewal capacity. The initial aims of the present study were: (i) to use stirred suspension bioreactors to expand and differentiate ESCs into osteogenic and chondrogenic cell types and (ii) to explore if these ESC-derived cells influenced skeletal healing in an in vivo fracture model. We show that differentiation protocols used in static culture are insufficient when applied directly to suspension culture bioreactors. Moreover, when bioreactor-differentiated cells are transplanted into a burr-hole defect in bone, severe disruption of the bone architecture was noted at the fracture site, as determined by microcomputed tomography (microCT) imaging and histopathology. Further characterization of the bioreactor-differentiated cultures revealed that a subpopulation of cells in the resulting aggregates expressed the pluripotency marker Oct-4 in the nucleus. Nuclear Oct-4 expression persisted even after 30 days of culture in the absence of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). Remarkably, and unlike ESCs differentiated into skeletal cell types in static cultures, bioreactor-differentiated aggregates implanted subcutaneously into SCID mice formed teratomas. The development of effective ESC differentiation protocols for suspension bioreactors will require a more complete understanding of the environmental conditions within these culture systems and the influence that these conditions have on the regulation of pluripotency and differentiation in ESCs.

Three step derivation of cartilage like tissue from human embryonic stem cells by 2D-3D sequential culture in vitro and further implantation in vivo on alginate/PLGA scaffolds

In this study a three step culture system, 2D-3D sequential culture in vitro and further implantation in vivo was developed to induce human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into cartilage like tissues. Five-day-old embryoid bodies were plated for chondrogenic induction for 27 days (step1), then the cells were suspended in alginate and seeded onto polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) scaffolds for 3D cultivation for 7 days (step 2) and the cells/alginate/PLGA complexes were further transplanted into nude mice for 8 weeks (step 3). At same time, some of complexes were cultured in vitro up to 8 weeks. At the end of step 1, cells exhibited fibroblast-like morphology and expressed chondrocyte-specific markers, Sox 9 and collagen II. During the following 8 weeks of 3D cultivation in vitro, cells displayed spherical morphology, decreased immunoreactivity to Sox-9 and increased one to collagen II, demonstrated further differentiation to mature chondrocyte. In implanted grafts, not only cells appeared typical chondrocytes shape and markers but also cartilage like tissues were formed. These results indicate that 2D-3D sequential culture in vitro is an efficient protocol to induce hESCs differentiates into chondrocytes, while the three step culture system may be an appropriate procedure to derive cartilage like tissues from hESCs.

Cell transplantation for articular cartilage defects: principles of past, present, and future practice

As articular cartilage has very limited self-repair capability, the repair and regeneration of damaged cartilage is a major challenge. This review aims to outline the past, present, and future of cell therapies for articular cartilage defect repair. Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) has been used clinically for more than 20 years, and the short, medium, and long-term clinical outcomes of three generation of ACI are extensively overviewed. Also, strategies of clinical outcome evaluation, ACI limitations, and the comparison of ACI clinical outcomes with those of other surgical techniques are discussed. Moreover, mesenchymal stem cells and pluripotent stem cells for cartilage regeneration in vitro, in vivo, and in a few clinical studies are reviewed. This review not only comprehensively analyzes the ACI clinical data but also considers the findings from state-of-the-art stem cell research on cartilage repair from bench and bedside. The conclusion provides clues for the future development of strategies for cartilage regeneration.

Static electromagnetic fields induce vasculogenesis and chondro-osteogenesis of mouse embryonic stem cells by reactive oxygen species-mediated up-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are used to treat bone diseases. Herein, the effects of static EMFs on chondroosteogenesis and vasculogenesis of embryonic stem (ES) cells and bone mineralization of mouse fetuses were investigated. Treatment of differentiating ES cells with static EMFs (0.4-2 mT) stimulated vasculogenesis and chondro-osteogenesis and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), which was abolished by the free radical scavengers trolox, 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), and the NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor diphenylen iodonium (DPI). In contrast, EMFs of 10 mT field strength exerted inhibitory effects on vasculogenesis and chondro-osteogenesis despite robust ROS generation. EMFs of 1 mT and 10 mT increased and decreased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, respectively, which was abolished by DPI and radical scavengers. EMFs activated extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38, and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), which was sensitive to DPI treatment. The increase in VEGF by EMFs was inhibited by the ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 but not by SB203580 and SP600125, which are p38 and JNK inhibitors, respectively, suggesting VEGF regulation by ERK1/2. Chondroosteogenesis and vasculogenesis of ES cells was blunted by trolox, DPI, and the VEGF receptor-2 (flk-1) antagonist SU5614. In mouse fetuses 1 mT EMFs increased and 10 mT EMFs decreased bone mineralization, which was abolished in the presence of trolox. Hence, EMFs induced chondro-osteogenesis and vasculogenesis in ES cells and bone mineralization of mouse fetuses by a ROS-dependent up-regulation of VEGF expression.

Skeletal tissue engineering using embryonic stem cells

Various cell types have been investigated as candidate cell sources for cartilage and bone tissue engineering. In this review, we focused on chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation of mouse and human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and their potential in cartilage and bone tissue engineering. A decade ago, mouse ESCs were first used as a model to study cartilage and bone development and essential genes, factors and conditions for chondrogenesis and osteogenesis were unravelled. This knowledge, combined with data from the differentiation of adult stem cells, led to successful chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation of mouse ESCs and later also human ESCs. Next, researchers focused on the use of ESCs for skeletal tissue engineering. Cartilage and bone tissue was formed in vivo using ESCs. However, the amount, homogeneity and stability of the cartilage and bone formed were still insufficient for clinical application. The current protocols require improvement not only in differentiation efficiency but also in ESC-specific hurdles, such as tumourigenicity and immunorejection. In addition, some of the general tissue engineering challenges, such as cell seeding and nutrient limitation in larger constructs, will also apply for ESCs. In conclusion, there are still many challenges, but there is potential for ESCs in skeletal tissue engineering.

Multiple mesodermal lineage differentiation of Apodemus sylvaticus embryonic stem cells in vitro

BACKGROUND

Embryonic stem (ES) cells have attracted significant attention from researchers around the world because of their ability to undergo indefinite self-renewal and produce derivatives from the three cell lineages, which has enormous value in research and clinical applications. Until now, many ES cell lines of different mammals have been established and studied. In addition, recently, AS-ES1 cells derived from Apodemus sylvaticus were established and identified by our laboratory as a new mammalian ES cell line. Hence further research, in the application of AS-ES1 cells, is warranted.

RESULTS

Herein we report the generation of multiple mesodermal AS-ES1 lineages via embryoid body (EB) formation by the hanging drop method and the addition of particular reagents and factors for induction at the stage of EB attachment. The AS-ES1 cells generated separately in vitro included: adipocytes, osteoblasts, chondrocytes and cardiomyocytes. Histochemical staining, immunofluorescent staining and RT-PCR were carried out to confirm the formation of multiple mesodermal lineage cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The appropriate reagents and culture milieu used in mesodermal differentiation of mouse ES cells also guide the differentiation of in vitro AS-ES1 cells into distinct mesoderm-derived cells. This study provides a better understanding of the characteristics of AS-ES1 cells, a new species ES cell line and promotes the use of Apodemus ES cells as a complement to mouse ES cells in future studies.

Identification of five developmental processes during chondrogenic differentiation of embryonic stem cells

BACKGROUND

Chondrogenesis is the complex process that leads to the establishment of cartilage and bone formation. Due to their ability to differentiate in vitro and mimic development, embryonic stem cells (ESCs) show great potential for investigating developmental processes. In this study, we used chondrogenic differentiation of ESCs as a model to analyze morphogenetic events during chondrogenesis.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

ESCs were differentiated into the chondrocyte lineage, forming small cartilaginous aggregates in suspension. Differentiated ESCs showed that chondrogenesis was typically characterized by five overlapping stages. During the first stage, cell condensation and aggregate formation was observed. The second stage was characterized by differentiation into chondrocytes and fibril scaffold formation within spherical aggregates. Deposition of cartilaginous extracellular matrix and cartilage formation were hallmarks of the third stage. Apoptosis of chondrocytes, hypertrophy and/or degradation of cartilage occurred during the fourth stage. Finally, during the fifth stage, bone replacement with membranous calcified tissues took place.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

We demonstrate that ESCs show the chondrogenic differentiation pathway from the pluripotent stem cell to terminal skeletogenesis through these five stages in vitro. During each stage, morphological changes acquired in preceding stages played an important role in further development as a scaffold or template in subsequent stages. The study of chondrogenesis via ESC differentiation may be informative to our further understanding of skeletal growth and regeneration.

Active multilayered capsules for in vivo bone formation

Interest in the development of new sources of transplantable materials for the treatment of injury or disease has led to the convergence of tissue engineering with stem cell technology. Bone and joint disorders are expected to benefit from this new technology because of the low self-regenerating capacity of bone matrix secreting cells. Herein, the differentiation of stem cells to bone cells using active multilayered capsules is presented. The capsules are composed of poly-L-glutamic acid and poly-L-lysine with active growth factors embedded into the multilayered film. The bone induction from these active capsules incubated with embryonic stem cells was demonstrated in vitro. Herein, we report the unique demonstration of a multilayered capsule-based delivery system for inducing bone formation in vivo. This strategy is an alternative approach for in vivo bone formation. Strategies using simple chemistry to control complex biological processes would be particularly powerful, as they make production of therapeutic materials simpler and more easily controlled.

Development of serum-free, chemically defined conditions for human embryonic stem cell-derived fibrochondrogenesis

This study established serum-free, chemically defined conditions to generate fibrocartilage with human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Three sequential experimental phases were performed to eliminate serum because of its variability and antigenic potential and characterize the performance of hESCs in serum-free and serum-based conditions. Each phase used a two-stage modular experiment: chondrogenic differentiation followed by scaffold-less tissue engineering, called self-assembly. Phase I studied serum effects, and showed that a 1% serum chondrogenic medium (CM) during differentiation resulted in uniform constructs, whereas a 20% serum CM did not. Furthermore, a no-serum CM during self-assembly led to a collagen content 50% to 200% greater than a 1% serum CM. Thus, a "serum standard" of 1% serum during differentiation and no serum during self-assembly was carried forward. Phase II compared this with serum-free formulations, using 5% knock-out serum replacer or 1-ng/mL transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1). The TGF-beta1 group was chosen as a "serum-free standard" because it performed similarly to the serum standard in terms of morphological, biochemical, and biomechanical properties. In Phase III, the serum-free standard had significantly more collagen (100%) and greater tensile ( approximately 150%) and compressive properties ( approximately 80%) than the serum standard with TGF-beta1 treatment during self-assembly. These advances are important to the understanding of mechanisms of chondrogenesis and creating clinically relevant stem cell therapies.

Cartilage repair: past and future--lessons for regenerative medicine

Since the first cell therapeutic study to repair articular cartilage defects in the knee in 1994, several clinical studies have been reported. An overview of the results of clinical studies did not conclusively show improvement over conventional methods, mainly because few studies reach level I of evidence for effects on middle or long term. However, these explorative trials have provided valuable information about study design, mechanisms of repair and clinical outcome and have revealed that much is still unknown and further improvements are required. Furthermore, cellular and molecular studies using new technologies such as cell tracking, gene arrays and proteomics have provided more insight in the cell biology and mechanisms of joint surface regeneration. Besides articular cartilage, cartilage of other anatomical locations as well as progenitor cells are now considered as alternative cell sources. Growth Factor research has revealed some information on optimal conditions to support cartilage repair. Thus, there is hope for improvement. In order to obtain more robust and reproducible results, more detailed information is needed on many aspects including the fate of the cells, choice of cell type and culture parameters. As for the clinical aspects, it becomes clear that careful selection of patient groups is an important input parameter that should be optimized for each application. In addition, the study outcome parameters should be improved. Although reduced pain and improved function are, from the patient's perspective, the most important outcomes, there is a need for more structure/tissue-related outcome measures. Ideally, criteria and/or markers to identify patients at risk and responders to treatment are the ultimate goal for these more sophisticated regenerative approaches in joint surface repair in particular, and regenerative medicine in general.

Differentiation and enrichment of expandable chondrogenic cells from human embryonic stem cells in vitro

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are considered as useful tools for pre-clinical studies in regenerative medicine. Although previous reports have shown direct chondrogenic differentiation of mouse and hESCs, low yield and cellular heterogenicity of the resulting cell population impairs the generation of sufficient numbers of differentiated cells for further testing and applications. Based on our previously established high-density micromass model system to study hESC chondrogenesis, we evaluated the effects of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β₁ and bone morphogenetic protein-2 on early stages of chondrogenic differentiation and commitment by hESCs. Significant chondrogenic induction of hESCs, as determined by quantitative measurements of cartilage-related gene expression and matrix protein synthesis, was achieved in the presence of TGF-β₁. By means of selective growth factor combination (TGF-β₁, FGF-2 and platelet-derived growth factor-bb) and plating on extracellular matrix substratum, we report here the reproducible isolation of a highly expandable, homogenous and unipotent chondrogenic cell population, TC1, from chondrogenically committed hESCs. Like primary chondrocytes, TC1 rapidly dedifferentiates upon isolation and monolayer expansion but retains the chondrogenic differentiation potential and responds to TGF-β₁ for cartilaginous tissue formation both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, TC1 displays a somatic cell cycle kinetics, a normal karyotype and does not produce teratoma in vivo. Thus, TC1 may provide a potential source of chondrogenic cells for drug testing, gene therapy and cell-based therapy.

In vivo intervertebral disc regeneration using stem cell-derived chondroprogenitors

OBJECT

There is currently no biologic therapy to repair or restore a degenerated intervertebral disc. A potential solution may rest with embryonic stem cells (ESCs), which have a potential to grow indefinitely and differentiate into a variety of cell types in vitro. Prior studies have shown that ESCs can be encouraged to differentiate toward specific cell lineages by culture in selective media and specific growth environment. Among these lineages, there are cells capable of potentially producing nucleus pulposus (NP) in vivo. In this investigation, the authors studied ESCderived chondroprogenitors implanted into a degenerated disc in a rabbit. For this purpose, a rabbit model of disc degeneration was developed.

METHODS

A percutaneous animal model of disc degeneration was developed by needle puncture of healthy intact discs in 16 New Zealand white rabbits. Series of spine MR imaging studies were obtained before disc puncture and after 2, 6, and 8 weeks. Prior to implantation, murine ESCs were cultured with cis-retinoic acid, transforming growth factor beta, ascorbic acid, and insulin-like growth factor to induce differentiation toward a chondrocyte lineage. After confirmation by MR imaging, degenerated disc levels were injected with chondrogenic derivatives of ESCs expressing green fluorescent protein. At 8 weeks post-ESC implantation, the animals were killed and the intervertebral discs were harvested and analyzed using H & E staining, confocal fluorescent microscopy, and immunohistochemical analysis. Three intervertebral disc groups were analyzed in 16 rabbits, as follows: 1) Group A, control: naïve, nonpunctured discs (32 discs, levels L4-5 and L5-6); 2) Group B, experimental control: punctured disc (16 discs, level L2-3); and 3) Group C, experimental: punctured disc followed by implantation of chondroprogenitor cells (16 discs, level L3-4).

RESULTS

The MR imaging studies confirmed intervertebral disc degeneration at needle-punctured segments starting at approximately 2 weeks. Postmortem H & E histological analysis of Group A discs showed mature chondrocytes and no notochordal cells. Group B discs displayed an intact anulus fibrosus and generalized disorganization within fibrous tissue of NP. Group C discs showed islands of notochordal cell growth. Immunofluorescent staining for notochordal cells was negative for Groups A and B but revealed viable notochordal-type cells within experimental Group C discs, which had been implanted with ESC derivatives. Notably, no inflammatory response was noted in Group C discs.

CONCLUSIONS

This study illustrates a reproducible percutaneous model for studying disc degeneration. New notochordal cell populations were seen in degenerated discs injected with ESCs. The lack of immune response to a xenograft of mouse cells in an immunocompetent rabbit model may suggest an as yet unrecognized immunoprivileged site within the intervertebral disc space.

Fibrochondrogenesis of hESCs: growth factor combinations and cocultures

The successful differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to fibrochondrocyte-like cells and characterization of these differentiated cells is a critical step toward tissue engineering of musculoskeletal fibrocartilages (e.g., knee meniscus, temporomandibular joint disc, and intervertebral disc). In this study, growth factors and primary cell cocultures were applied to hESC embryoid bodies (EBs) for 3 weeks and evaluated for their effect on the synthesis of critical fibrocartilage matrix components: glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and collagens (types I, II, and VI). Changes in surface markers (CD105, CD44, SSEA, PDGFR alpha) after the differentiation treatments were also analyzed. The study was conducted in three phases: (1) examination of growth factors (TGF-beta 3, BMP-2, BMP-4, BMP-6, PDGF-BB, sonic hedgehog protein); (2) comparison of two cocultures (primary chondrocytes or fibrochondrocytes); and (3) the combination of the most effective growth factor and coculture regimen. TGF-beta 3 with BMP-4 yielded EBs positive for collagens I, II, and VI, with up to 6.7- and 4.8-fold increases in GAG and collagen, respectively. Analysis of cell surface markers showed a significant increase in CD44 with the TGF-beta 3 + BMP-4 treatment compared to the controls. Coculture with fibrochondrocytes resulted in up to a 9.8-fold increase in collagen II production. The combination of the growth factors BMP-4 + TGF-beta 3 with the fibrochondrocyte coculture led to an increase in cell proliferation and GAG production compared to either treatment alone. This study determined two powerful treatments for inducing fibrocartilaginous differentiation of hESCs and provides a foundation for using flow cytometry to purify these differentiated cells.

Histological and biomechanical properties of regenerated articular cartilage using chondrogenic bone marrow stromal cells with a PLGA scaffold in vivo

The properties of regenerated cartilage using bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) scaffold composites pretreated with TGF-beta3 were investigated and compared to the non-TGF-beta3 treated MSCs/PLGA composites in a rabbit model. We prepared MSCs/PLGA scaffold composites and pretreated it with TGF-beta3 for 3 weeks prior to transplantation. Then, composites were transplanted to the osteochondral defect in the rabbit knee. After 12 weeks of transplantation, 10 of the 12 rabbits in which TGF-beta3 pretreated MSCs/PLGA scaffold composites were transplanted showed cartilaginous regeneration. In gross morphology, regenerated cartilage showed smooth, flush, and transparent features. In indentation test, this had about 80% of Young's modulus of normal articular cartilage. Histological examination demonstrated hyaline like cartilage structures with glycosaminoglycan and type II collagen expression. Histological scores were not statistically different to the normal articular cartilage. These results showed improvement of cartilage regeneration compared to the non-TGF-beta3 pretreated MSCs/PLGA scaffold composite transplanted group. Thus, we have successfully regenerated improved hyaline-like cartilage and determined the feasibility of treating damaged articular cartilage using MSCs/PLGA scaffold composite pretreated with TGF-beta3. Also, we suggest this treatment modality as another concept of cartilage tissue engineering.

In vivo commitment and functional tissue regeneration using human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal cells

Development of clinically relevant regenerative medicine therapies using human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) requires production of a simple and readily expandable cell population that can be directed to form functional 3D tissue in an in vivo environment. We describe an efficient derivation method and characterization of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from hESCs (hESCd-MSCs) that have multilineage differentiation potential and are capable of producing fat, cartilage, and bone in vitro. Furthermore, we highlight their in vivo survival and commitment to the chondrogenic lineage in a microenvironment comprising chondrocyte-secreted morphogenetic factors and hydrogels. Normal cartilage architecture was established in rat osteochondral defects after treatment with chondrogenically-committed hESCd-MSCs. In view of the limited available cell sources for tissue engineering applications, these embryonic-derived cells show significant potential in musculoskeletal tissue regeneration applications.

Plasticity of cloned canine mammary spindle cell tumor, osteosarcoma and carcinoma cells

Female dogs are frequently affected by mammary tumors, both carcinomas and sarcomas. The mechanisms behind mammary-tumor formation and the high degree of heterogeneity are not understood. To provide insight into this issue, it is important to determine the properties of the cells forming the different types of tumors. One question is if individual neoplastic cells can give rise to phenotypically distinct tumor types, i.e., show plasticity. We studied 3 different tumors (a spindle-cell tumor, an osteosarcoma, and a carcinoma) and followed the change of lineage marker expression between the primary canine mammary tumors, the clones derived from the corresponding tumors and in tumors generated after inoculation of tumor clones into nude mice (n = 75). Inoculation of clones derived from the spindle-cell tumor gave rise to spindle-cell tumors in nude mice. Several of these contained bone tissue, a sign of plasticity. Clones derived from the osteosarcoma were negative for a panel of lineage markers but, when inoculated into nude mice, they were able to form bone, again a sign of plasticity. In contrast to the primary carcinoma, most of the clones derived thereof lacked keratin expression, but keratin expression was recovered in most of the tumors formed after inoculation of clones into nude mice. Moreover, tumors generated from the carcinoma clones, in contrast to the primary tumor, were positive for smooth-muscle-cell markers. Our results point to plasticity in canine mammary tumors, as shown both by morphologic criteria and by expression patterns for lineage specific markers.

Hypoxic chondrogenic differentiation of human embryonic stem cells enhances cartilage protein synthesis and biomechanical functionality

BACKGROUND

Engineering musculoskeletal cartilages with stem cells remains a challenge because researchers must control many factors, including differentiation and cartilage matrix synthesis, particularly collagen II production. Hypoxia has effects on many cellular processes, though few investigations with hypoxia provide quantitative functional data on engineered cartilage.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the effects of hypoxia on chondrogenesis with human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).

METHODS

The experiment comprised two phases, embryoid body (EB) differentiation for 3 wks followed by a scaffold-less tissue engineering strategy called self-assembly for 4 wks. During each phase, hypoxic conditions (2% O(2)) or normoxic conditions (20% O(2)) were applied, and engineered constructs were analyzed for cellular, morphological, biochemical, and biomechanical properties.

RESULTS

Hypoxic conditions significantly altered the chondrogenic differentiation process, whereby cells cultured in these conditions had an enhanced ability to produce collagen II (up to 3.4-times), collagen I (up to 2.9-times), and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) (up to 1.9-times), resulting in better biomechanical functionality (up to three times in tensile modulus and up to four times in compressive properties). Hypoxic cells had a different expression profile than normoxic cells for cluster of differentiation (CD)44, CD105, and platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)alpha, further emphasizing that hypoxia altered hESC differentiation and suggesting that these markers may be used to predict an hESC-derived cell population's chondrogenic potential. Also, normoxic self-assembly outperformed hypoxic self-assembly in tensile and compressive biomechanical characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that oxygen availability has dramatic effects on the differentiation and synthetic potentials of hESCs and may have important implications for the development of strategies to engineer cartilage.

Derivation of chondrogenically-committed cells from human embryonic cells for cartilage tissue regeneration

Background

Heterogeneous and uncontrolled differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in embryoid bodies (EBs) limits the potential use of hESCs for cell-based therapies. More efficient strategies are needed for the commitment and differentiation of hESCs to produce a homogeneous population of specific cell types for tissue regeneration applications.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We report here that significant chondrocytic commitment of feeder-free cultured human embryonic stem cells (FF-hESCs), as determined by gene expression and immunostaining analysis, was induced by co-culture with primary chondrocytes. Furthermore, a dynamic expression profile of chondrocyte-specific genes was observed during monolayer expansion of the chondrogenically-committed cells. Chondrogenically-committed cells synergistically responded to transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and β1-integrin activating antibody by increasing tissue mass in pellet culture. In addition, when encapsulated in hydrogels, these cells formed cartilage tissue both in vitro and in vivo. In contrast, the absence of chondrocyte co-culture did not result in an expandable cell population from FF-hESCs.

Conclusions/Significance

The direct chondrocytic commitment of FF-hESCs can be induced by morphogenetic factors from chondrocytes without EB formation and homogenous cartilage tissue can be formed in vitro and in vivo.

Induction of ES cell-derived cartilage formation

This unit describes the protocols used for cultivation of murine embryonic stem (ES) cells and their differentiation into chondrogenic cell types in vitro. ES cells cultivated as cellular aggregates, so-called embryoid bodies (EBs), differentiate spontaneously into chondrogenic cell types recapitulating cellular events of chondro- and osteogenesis. The undifferentiated ES cells differentiate into mesenchymal prechondrogenic cells in the EB outgrowths. These progenitor cells aggregate and form mesenchymal condensations. During further cultivation, these cells form cartilage nodules, show a phenotype typical for chondroblasts, and start to express marker molecules of cartilage tissue. Later, the chondrocytes become hypertrophic, and finally, marker molecules indicating bone formation can be detected in the nodules. This unit also contains protocols for characterization of the differentiated cells by immunostaining, mRNA-in situ hybridization, electron microscopy, and RT-PCR analysis.

Integrated 3-dimensional expansion and osteogenic differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells

Embryonic stem cell (ESC) culture is fragmented and laborious and involves operator decisions. Most protocols consist of 3 individual steps: maintenance, embryoid body (EB) formation, and differentiation. Integration will assist automation, ultimately aiding scale-up to clinically relevant numbers. These problems were addressed by encapsulating undifferentiated murine ESCs (mESCs) in 1.1% (w/v) low-viscosity alginic acid, 0.1% (v/v) porcine gelatin hydrogel beads (d = 2.3 mm). Six hundred beads containing 10,000 mESCs per bead were cultured in a 50-mL high-aspect-ratio vessel bioreactor. Bioreactor cultures were rotated at 17.5 revolutions per min, cultured in maintenance medium containing leukemia inhibitory factor for 3 days, replaced with EB formation medium for 5 days followed by osteogenic medium containing L-ascorbate-2-phosphate (50 microg/mL), beta-glycerophosphate (10 mM), and dexamethasone (1 microM) for an additional 21 days. After 29 days, 84 times as many cells per bead were observed and mineralized matrix was formed within the alginate beads. Osteogenesis was confirmed using von Kossa, Alizarin Red S staining, alkaline phosphatase activity, immunocytochemistry for osteocalcin, OB-cadherin, collagen type I, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, microcomputed tomography (micro-computed tomography) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic imaging. This simplified, integrated, and potentially scaleable methodology could enable the production of 3-demensional mineralized tissue from ESCs for potential clinical applications.

Controlled differentiation of stem cells

The extracellular microenvironment plays a significant role in controlling cellular behavior. Identification of appropriate biomaterials that support cellular attachment, proliferation and, most importantly in the case of human embryonic stem cells, lineage-specific differentiation is critical for tissue engineering and cellular therapy. In addition to growth factors and morphogenetic factors known to induce lineage commitment of stem cells, a number of scaffolding materials, including synthetic and naturally-derived biomaterials, have been utilized in tissue engineering approaches to direct differentiation. This review focuses on recent emerging findings and well-characterized differentiation models of human embryonic stem cells. Additionally, we also discuss about various strategies that have been used in stem cell expansion.