Culture of primary bovine chondrocytes on a continuously expanding surface inhibits dedifferentiation.

Expansion of autologous chondrocytes in vitro is used to generate adequate populations for cell-based therapies. However, standard (SD) culture methods cause loss of chondrocyte phenotype and dedifferentiation to fibroblast-like cells. Here, we use a novel surface expansion culture system in an effort to inhibit chondrocyte dedifferentiation. A highly elastic silicone rubber culture surface was continuously stretched over a 13-day period to 600% of its initial surface area. This maintained cells at a high density while limiting contact inhibition and reducing the need for passaging. Gene expression analysis, biochemical assays, and immunofluorescence microscopy of follow-on pellet cultures were used to characterize the results of continuous expansion (CE) culture versus SD cultures on rigid polystyrene. CE culture yielded cells with a more chondrocyte-like morphology and higher RNA-level expression of the chondrogenic markers collagen type II, aggrecan, and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein. Furthermore, the expression of collagen type I RNA and α-smooth muscle actin protein were significantly reduced, indicating suppression of fibroblastic features. Pellet cultures from CE chondrocytes contained more sulphated glycosaminoglycan and collagen type II than pellets from SD culture. Additional control cultures on static (unexpanded) silicone (SS culture) indicated that benefits of CE culture were partially due to features of the culture surface itself and partially due to the reduced passaging which that surface enabled through CE. Chondrocytes grown in CE culture may, therefore, be a superior source for cell-based therapies.

Low frequency mechanical stimulation inhibits adipogenic differentiation of C3H10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells.

Oscillatory mechanical stimulation at relatively high frequencies (0.1 Hz) has been shown to inhibit adipogenic and promote osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. However, for physiological interpretations and ease of implementation it is of interest to know whether different rates of mechanical stimulation can produce similar results. We hypothesized that relatively low frequency mechanical stimulation (0.01 Hz) can inhibit adipogenic differentiation of C3H10T1/2 mouse mesenchymal stem cells, even in a potent adipogenic differentiation medium. C3H10T1/2 cells were cultured in adipogenic medium under control (non-mechanically stimulated) conditions and under oscillatory surface stretch with 10% amplitude and 0.01 Hz frequency for 6h per day for up to 5 days. Cell population was assessed by counting and adipogenic differentiation was assessed by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) after 3 and 5 days. Involvement of the ERK signaling pathway was assessed by Western blot. Low frequency mechanical stimulation significantly decreased expression of PPARγ after 3 days and FABP4 after 3 and 5 days versus non-stimulated culture. ERK signaling was decreased in mechanically-stimulated culture, indicating a role in the inhibition of adipogenic differentiation. Application of this study: Low frequency mechanical stimulation may provide a technically simple means for control of mesenchymal stem cell differentiation in cell-based therapies, particularly for inhibition of differentiation toward undesired adipogenic lineages.

Improved characterization of cartilage mechanical properties using a combination of stress relaxation and creep.

Mechanical characterization of cartilage, other soft tissues and gels has become a ubiquitous and essential aspect of biomechanics and biomaterials research. Current progress in theoretical modeling and tools for data analysis often exceed what is required for routine mechanical characterization assays in experimental studies, making selection of methodologies difficult for the nonspecialist. We have therefore developed an approach for measurement of confined compression modulus and hydraulic permeability based on simple poroelasticity theory and requiring only linear regression tools for data analysis. This technique involves a new application of an early-time solution for creep combined with stress relaxation measurements to characterize soft tissue mechanical parameters as a function of compressive strain or water content. This combined methodology allows measurement of hydraulic permeability by two different techniques with only a modest increase in experimental duration, providing a more precise assessment of permeability and associated measurement error.