Induction of chondrogenic differentiation in cultured fibroblasts isolated from the inferior turbinate.
OBJECTIVE
To explore options of cell sources for regeneration of cartilage, turbinate fibroblasts were tested for their differentiation potential when cultured in three-dimensional scaffolds with growth factors and co-cultured with septal chondrocytes.


METHODS
Fibroblasts and chondrocytes were seeded on to an alginate sponge in different proportions and were stimulated with TGF-beta1 and IGF-I. Chondrogenic differentiation of fibroblasts was assessed by histology including immunohistochemical staining, which was examined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
Chondroid cells with extracellular matrices occupied the porous structures of alginate sponge and immunolocalizations for type II collagen became prominent at four weeks in culture. Expression of type II collagen and aggrecan mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. Co-culture of fibroblasts and chondrocytes showed comparable expansion of cells and extracellular matrix to culture of chondrocytes only.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that human turbinate fibroblasts are apparently redirected toward chondrogenic phenotype by in vitro culture system under specific conditions. Co-culture of turbinate fibroblasts with septal chondrocytes would be an effective method to expand cartilage specific extracellular matrix.
Kim
Sung Won
SW
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Cho
Jin Hee
JH
Hong
Myung Wha
MW
Rhie
Jong-Won
JW
Yoon
He Ro
HR
D000328:Adult; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D006652:Histological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014420:Turbinates / Q000166:cytology*
D012333:RNA, Messenger