Synergistic Effects of FGF-18 and TGF- β 3 on the Chondrogenesis of Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Pellet Culture.

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)

Cell-based therapy serves as an effective way for cartilage repair. Compared with a limited source of autologous chondrocytes, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are proposed as an attractive cell source for cartilage regeneration. How to drive chondrogenic differentiation of ADSCs efficiently remains to be further investigated. TGF- β 3 has shown a strong chondrogenic action on ADSCs. Recently, fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF-18) has gained marked attention due to its anabolic effects on cartilage metabolism, but existing data regarding the role of FGF-18 on the chondrogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are conflicting. In addition, whether the combined application of FGF-18 and TGF- β 3 would improve the efficiency of the chondrogenic potential of ADSCs has not been thoroughly studied. In the current study, we isolated human ADSCs and characterized the expression of their surface antigens. Also, we evaluated the chondrogenic potential of FGF-18 on ADSCs using an in vitro pellet model by measuring glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content, collagen level, histologic appearance, and expression of cartilage-related genes. We found that FGF-18, similarly to TGF- β 3, had a positive impact on chondrogenic differentiation and matrix deposition when presented throughout the culture period. More importantly, we observed synergistic effects of FGF-18 and TGF- β 3 on the chondroge

Evidence level

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

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