Co-Culture of Mesenchymal Stem Cells with Mature Chondrocytes: Producing Cartilage Construct for Application in Cartilage Regeneration

摘要: Background: Cell-based treatment approach using differentiated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and mature chondrocytes has been considered as an advanced for cartilage repair. We investigated the level of these two cell types that is crucial their repair capacity defect at a co-culture micro mass system. Methods: Passaged-2 MSCs isolated from mouse bone marrow primary-cultured obtained rat costal were mixed different ratios including 1:1, 1:2, 2:1, cultivated in culture systems (experimental groups). Both alone cultures controls. After 21 days, sectioned examined by toluidine blue staining. Furthermore, groups analyzed semiquantitat ive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction specific primers designed to detect expression both cartilage-specific genes. Results: According staining, metachromatic stain appeared be more intense 1:2 than other groups. Based on analysis, all cocultures possessed significantly gene controls (P<0.01). While aggrecan collagen II genes had ratio, was expressed higher rate coculture with 2:1 ratio Conclusion: Co-culture seemed provide appropriate microenvironment whereby exhibit phenotype when they cultured alone, sufficient used cellular material defects. Iran J Med Sci 2009; 34(4): 251-258.