In vitro cartilage formation using synovium-derived mesenchymal stem cells with hydrogels

• Main Author: Liang, Ruishan.
• Other Authors: Wang Dongan
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Chemical engineering::Biotechnology
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/16548
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Being recognized as one of the novel stem cells, synovium-derived mesenchymal stem cells (SMSCs) is categorized as a potential cell source for tissue engineered cartilage generation. The purpose of this project was to experiment on the use of rabbit SMSCs seeded into specifically chosen hydrogels (gellan gum, PhosPEG and PEGDA hydrogel) for the formation of engineered cartilage in vitro. SMSCs were obtained from the synovium tissues of rabbits, proliferated in monolayer to passage 4, and is seeded into the respective hydrogel where the constructs were cultured using chondrogenic medium supplemented either with or without the growth factors (TGF-β1, TGF-β3, BMP-2) for 21 days to 42 days. Assessments of the quality of the constructs were made through cell viability assays, as well as through chondrocytic gene expression and protein production. The experimental findings showed that the SMSCs-laden hydrogels formed cartilaginous tissues with chondrocytic gene expressions (aggrecan, collagen type II, SOX-9 and biglycan) and cartilaginous matrix (collagen and sulphated glycosaminoglycan) formation. Real-time RT-PCR, histological analysis, biochemical analysis, and immunohistochemical analysis methods were used for the expressions of positive cartilaginous results. This project indicated the abilities of the selected hydrogels seeded with SMSCs and treated with specified growth factors (TGF-β1, TGF-β3, BMP-2) for in vitro tissue engineered cartilage.