title: High-throughput cell aggregate culture for stem cell chondrogenesis.
abstract: Cell aggregate culture is a widely used, reliable system for promoting chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells. A high-throughput cell pellet culture enables screening of various soluble factors for their effects on stem cell function and chondrogenesis. In this protocol, we report a platform that allows the formation of stem cell aggregates in a 96-well plate format. Specifically, stem cells are centrifuged to form high-density pellets, mimicking mesenchymal condensation. The cell aggregates can be differentiated into chondrocytes when cultured in chondrogenic medium for 4 weeks. Such a technique is compatible for high-throughput screening and can be very useful for optimizing conditions for cartilage tissue engineering.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
authors.forename: Ahmad E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Abu-Hakmeh
authors.forename: Leo Q
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Wan
mesh_terms: D002449:Cell Aggregation; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D020219:Chondrogenesis; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000378:metabolism; D057166:High-Throughput Screening Assays / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D012015:Reference Standards; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: C435946:dimethylmethylene blue; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D008751:Methylene Blue