title: New insights into osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and their potential clinical applications for bone regeneration in pediatric orthopaedics.
abstract: Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are pluripotent adult stem cells capable of being differentiated into osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondrocytes. The osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs is regulated either by systemic hormones or by local growth factors able to induce specific intracellular signal pathways that modify the expression and activity of several transcription factors. Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and Wnt signaling-related molecules are the major factors critically involved in the osteogenic differentiation process by hMSCs, and SRY-related high-mobility-group (HMG) box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) is involved in the chondrogenic one. hMSCs have generated a great interest in the field of regenerative medicine, particularly in bone regeneration. In this paper, we focused our attention on the molecular mechanisms involved in osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of hMSC, and the potential clinical use of hMSCs in osteoarticular pediatric disease characterized by fracture nonunion and pseudarthrosis.
authors.affiliation: Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Giuliani
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lisignoli
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Magnani
authors.forename: Costantina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Racano
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bolzoni
authors.forename: Benedetta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dalla Palma
authors.forename: Angelica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spolzino
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Manferdini
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Abati
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Toscani
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Facchini
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aversa