In vitro cartilage formation by human adult stem cells from bone marrow stroma defines the sequence of cellular and molecular events during chondrogenesis

One approach to resolving the complexities of chondrogenesis is to examine simplified systems in vitro. We analyzed cartilage differentiation by human adult stem cells from bone marrow stroma. Marrow stromal cells were cultured as micromass pellets for 21 days in serum-free medium containing transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta3, dexamethasone, and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-6. Assays for pulse-labeled [3H]DNA and for total DNA indicated that there was little proliferation and a progressive loss of cells in the pellets. There were continuous increases in mRNAs for cartilage matrix (proteoglycans and COL2, -9, -10, and -11), receptors [fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGFR2) and parathyroid hormone-related…

• LG
  Louisiana Gene Therapy Research Consortium
• OF
  Oberkotter Foundation
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Award: AR47796