title: Use of FGF-2 and FGF-18 to direct bone marrow stromal stem cells to chondrogenic and osteogenic lineages.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Intervertebral disc degeneration/low back pain is the number one global musculoskeletal condition in terms of disability and socioeconomic impact.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were cultured in micromass pellets ± FGF-2 or -18 up to 41 days, matrix components were immunolocalized and gene expression monitored by quantitative-reverse transcription PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Chondrogenesis occurred earlier in FGF-18 than FGF-2 cultures. LowerCOL2A1, COL10A1andACANexpression by day 41 indicated a downregulation in chondrocyte hypertrophy.MEF2c, ALPL, were upregulated; calcium, decorin and biglycan, and 4C3 and 7D4 chondroitin sulphate sulfation motifs were evident in FGF-18 but not FGF-2 pellets.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FGF-2 and -18 preconditioned MSCs produced cell lineages which promoted chondrogenesis and osteogenesis and may be useful in the production of MSC lineages suitable for repair of cartilaginous tissue defects.
authors.affiliation: Raymond Purves Bone & Joint Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St. Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia; Raymond Purves Bone & Joint Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St. Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia.
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shu
authors.affiliation: Raymond Purves Bone & Joint Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St. Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia; Raymond Purves Bone & Joint Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St. Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia.
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Raymond Purves Bone & Joint Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St. Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia; Sydney Medical School, Northern, The University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital; Raymond Purves Bone & Joint Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St. Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia; Sydney Medical School, Northern, The University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital.
authors.forename: Christopher B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Little
authors.affiliation: Raymond Purves Bone & Joint Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St. Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia; Sydney Medical School, Northern, The University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital; School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia; Raymond Purves Bone & Joint Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St. Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia; Sydney Medical School, Northern, The University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital; School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Melrose
keywords: adult mesenchymal stem cells; cartilage repair; chondrogenesis; intervertebral disc repair; low back pain; osteogenesis; spinal repair