Isolation and chondroinduction of a dermis-isolated, aggrecan-sensitive subpopulation with high chondrogenic potential.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a process that yields tissue-engineered articular cartilage constructs from skin-derived cells.


METHODS
Dermis-isolated, aggrecan-sensitive (DIAS) cells were isolated using a modified rapid adherence process. The chondrogenic potential was measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry. Filamentous actin (F-actin) and vinculin organization was detected using fluorescence microscopy.


RESULTS
The rapid adherence process led to a selection of DIAS cells, <10% of the entire population. DIAS cells displayed greater chondroinduction potential, as evidenced by the formation of large numbers of chondrocytic nodules on aggrecan-coated surfaces. In addition, these cells showed higher gene expression and protein production in terms of chondrocytic markers when compared with unpurified dermis cells. Similar patterns of F-actin and vinculin organization were observed between DIAS cells and chondrocytes. Three-dimensional constructs from chondroinduced DIAS cells produced greater amounts of cartilage matrix than constructs from the rest of the dermis populations.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings show a series of steps that work together to form tissue-engineered articular cartilage constructs using DIAS cells. Since skin presents a minimally invasive, relatively abundant cell source for tissue engineering, this study offers evidence of an efficient and stable technique to form cartilage constructs for future cartilage regeneration with autologous cells from skin.
Deng
Ying
Y
Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA.
Hu
Jerry C
JC
Athanasiou
Kyriacos A
KA
D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D053674:Aggrecans / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D024043:Collagen Type II / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020405:Dermis / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D006041:Goats; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D016596:Vinculin / Q000378:metabolism
D053674:Aggrecans; D024042:Collagen Type I; D024043:Collagen Type II; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016596:Vinculin