Affiliations: UMR 7561 CNRS – Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France | Chirurgie Orthopédique et Traumatologique, CHU Nancy, France
Note: [] These authors made equal contributions to this work (first co-authors).
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Prof. Pierre Gillet, MD, PhD, UMR 7561 CNRS, Physiopathologie, Pharmacologie et Ingénierie Articulaires, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Lorraine, Biopôle, BP 184, Avenue de la Forêt de Haye, F54505 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France. E-mail: pierre.gillet@medecine.uhp-nancy.fr.
Abstract: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are regarded as a potential autologous source for cartilage repair, because they can differentiate into chondrocytes by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) treatment under the 3-dimensional (3-D) culture condition. In addition to these molecular and biochemical methods, the mechanical regulation of differentiation and matrix formation by MSCs is only starting to be considered. Recently, mechanical loading has been shown to induce chondrogenesis of MSCs in vitro. In this study, we investigated the effects of a calibrated agitation on the chondrogenesis of human bone MSCs (MSCs) in a 3-D alginate culture (day 28) and on the maintenance of chondrogenic phenotypes. Biomechanical stimulation of MSCs increased: (i) types 1 and 2 collagen formation; (ii) the expression of chondrogenic markers such as COMP and SOX9; and (iii) the capacity to maintain the chondrogenic phenotypes. Notably, these effects were shown without TGF-β treatment. These results suggest that a mechanical stimulation could be an efficient method to induce chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs in vitro for cartilage tissue engineering in a 3-D environment. Additionally, it appears that MSCs and chondrocyte responses to mechanical stimulation are not identical.
