Three-dimensional culture systems to induce chondrogenesis of adipose-derived stem cells.

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)

Stem cells can easily be harvested from adipose tissue in large numbers for use in tissue-engineering approaches for cartilage repair or regeneration. In this chapter, we describe in vitro tissue-engineering models that we have used in our laboratory for the chondrogenic induction of adipose-derived stem cells (ASC). In addition to the proper growth factor environment, chondrogenesis requires cells to be maintained in a rounded morphology in three-dimensional (3D) culture, and thus properties of the biomaterial scaffold also play a critical role in ASC differentiation. Histologic and immunohistologic methods for assessing chondrogenesis are also presented. In general, 10-12 weeks are required to assess ASC chondrogenesis in these model systems.

Evidence level

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

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