In vitro chondrogenesis of Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells in hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels.

Ewelina Aleksander-Konert,Adam Wilczok,Zofia Dzierżewicz,Alicja Zajdel,Piotr Paduszyński

doi:10.1186/s11658-016-0016-y

Abstract

BackgroundIn this study, we evaluated the usefulness of two commercially available hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels, HyStem and HyStem-C, for the cultivation of Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) and their differentiation towards chondrocytes.MethodsThe WJ-MSCs were isolated from umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly using the explant method and their immunophenotype was evaluated via flow cytometry analysis. According to the criteria established by the International Society for Cellular Therapy, they were true MSCs. We assessed the ability of the WJ-MSCs and chondrocytes to grow in three-dimensional hydrogels and their metabolic activity. Chondrogenesis of WJ-MSCs in the hydrogels was determined using alcian blue and safranin O staining and real-time PCR evaluation of gene expression in the extracellular matrixes: collagen type I, II, III and aggrecan.ResultsChondrocytes and WJ-MSCs cultured in the HyStem and HyStem-C hydrogels adopted spherical shapes, which are characteristic for encapsulated cells. The average viability of the WJ-MSCs and chondrocytes in the HyStem hydrogels was approximately 67 % when compared with the viability in 2D culture. Alcian blue and safranin O staining revealed intensive production of proteoglycans by the cells in the HyStem hydrogels. Increased expression of collagen type II and aggrecan in the WJ-MSCs cultured in the HyStem hydrogel in the presence of chondrogenic medium showed that under these conditions, the cells have a high capacity to differentiate towards chondrocytes. The relatively high viability of WJ-MSCs and chondrocytes in both HyStem hydrogels suggests the possibility of their use for chondrogenesis.ConlusionsThe results indicate that WJ-MSCs have some degree of chondrogenic potential in HyStem and HyStem-C hydrogels, showing promise for the engineering of damaged articular cartilage.

Highlights

In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of two commercially available hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels, HyStem and HyStem-C, for the cultivation of Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)) and their differentiation towards chondrocytes
Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) culture and phenotype characterization The WJ-MSCs were able to adhere to the surface of the culture vessel and proliferate under standard culture conditions
We evaluated the process of WJ-MSC chondrogenesis in HyStem and HyStem-C hydrogels

Summary

Introduction

We evaluated the usefulness of two commercially available hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels, HyStem and HyStem-C, for the cultivation of Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) and their differentiation towards chondrocytes. Articular cartilage has a limited capacity to regenerate. Tissue engineering Tissue engineering has potential for the regeneration of cartilage. The technique, which is still in its experimental stages, is based on a combination of three main components: suitable. When selecting an ideal cell candidate, the following requirements must be met: availability and ease of isolation; high proliferative potential; the ability to produce extracellular matrix components and structures characteristic for cartilage; immunocompatibility; and the ability to integrate with the surrounding microenvironment. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit huge potential in cartilage engineering [1, 3, 4]

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