A modified aggregate culture for chondrogenesis of human adipose-derived stem cells genetically modified with growth and differentiation factor 5.

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are an attractive cell source for tissue engineering, and recently a modified aggregate culture of human ADSCs (hADSCs) was established based on preparation of three-dimensional (3D) cell aggregates in growth factor-enriched low serum medium using the hanging droplet method. Growth and differentiation factor 5 (GDF5) plays a critical role in chondrogenesis and cartilage development. In the present study, we examine (1) whether the modified aggregate culture is feasible for chondrogenic induction of hADSCs, (2) whether overexpressed GDF5 can promote chondrogenesis, and (3) the gene expression profile during chondrogenesis in this aggregate culture. hADSCs were infected with an adenovirus carrying the GDF5 gene (Ad-GDF5). Cells were cultured with chondrogenic media either in a modified aggregate culture or in an attached micromass culture that served as a control. The chondrogenic phenotype was assessed by morphology (n=8), biochemistry (n=3), and histology (n=2). Expression of 12 genes was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (n=3). We found that ADSCs cultured in the modified aggregates exhibited denser pellets and higher content of sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) compared with those cultured in the micromass. Infection of cells with Ad-GDF5 increased the aggregate size and sGAG content. It also up-regulated express

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

Browse all related research

Filter the research library by this study's title keywords, author, or publication year.