title: Multipotent Stromal Cells Outperform Chondrocytes on Cartilage-Derived Matrix Scaffolds.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although extracellular matrix (ECM)-derived scaffolds have been extensively studied and applied in a number of clinical applications, the use of ECM as a biomaterial for (osteo)chondral regeneration is less extensively explored. This study aimed at evaluating the chondrogenic potential of cells seeded on cartilage-derived matrix (CDM) scaffolds in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  Scaffolds were generated from decellularized equine articular cartilage and seeded with either chondrocytes or multipotent stromal cells (MSCs). After 2, 4, and 6 weeks of in vitro culture, CDM constructs were analyzed both histologically (hematoxylin and eosin, Safranin-O, collagen types I and II) and biochemically (glycosaminoglycan [GAG] and DNA content).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 4 weeks, both cell types demonstrated chondrogenic differentiation; however, the MSCs significantly outperformed chondrocytes in producing new GAG-containing cartilaginous matrix.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These promising in vitro results underscore the potency of CDM scaffolds in (osteo)chondral defect repair.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: K E M
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Benders
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Boot
authors.affiliation: Department of Equine Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Cokelaere
authors.affiliation: Department of Equine Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Van Weeren
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gawlitta
authors.affiliation: Lingehoeve, Veterinary Medicine, Lienden, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Bergman
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands ; MIRA Institute, Department of Tissue Regeneration, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: D B F
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Saris
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands ; Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: W J A
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Dhert
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands ; Department of Equine Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Malda
keywords: cartilage tissue engineering; chondrocyte; extracellular matrix (ECM); mesenchymal stromal cell; scaffold