Abstract
Objectives Combining the advantages of static magnetic fields (SMF) and coculture systems, we investigated the effect of moderate-intensity SMF on the chondrogenesis and proliferation of mandibular bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MBMSCs) in the MBMSC/mandibular condylar chondrocyte (MCC) coculture system. The main aim of the present study was to provide an experimental basis for obtaining better cartilage tissue engineering seed cells for the effective repair of condylar cartilage defects in clinical practice. Methods MBMSCs and MCCs were isolated from SD (Sprague Dawley) rats. Flow cytometry, three-lineage differentiation, colony-forming assays, immunocytochemistry, and toluidine blue staining were used for the identification of MBMSCs and MCCs. MBMSCs and MCCs were seeded into the lower and upper Transwell chambers, respectively, at a ratio of 1 : 2, and exposed to a 280 mT SMF. MBMSCs were harvested after 3, 7, or 14 days for analysis. CCK-8 was used to detect cell proliferation, Alcian blue staining was utilized to evaluate glycosaminoglycan (GAG), and western blotting and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) detected protein and gene expression levels of SOX9, Col2A1 (Collagen Type II Alpha 1), and Aggrecan (ACAN). Results The proliferation of MBMSCs was significantly enhanced in the experimental group with MBMSCs cocultured with MCCs under SMF stimulation relative to controls (P < 0.05). GAG content was increased, and SOX9, Col2A1, and ACAN were also increased at the mRNA and protein levels (P < 0.05). Conclusions Moderate-intensity SMF improved the chondrogenesis and proliferation of MBMSCs in the coculture system, and it might be a promising approach to repair condylar cartilage defects in the clinical setting.
Highlights
Observed cartilage damage of the temporomandibular joint mainly refers to the damage to the functional surfaces of condyles and joints
The above results document that mandibular condylar chondrocyte (MCC) obtained by the combined enzymatic digestion method used here can synthesize and secrete large amounts of Col2A1 and proteoglycans and that they are biologically intact
Extracellular vesicles mediate intercellular communication in the coculture system, whereby chondrocytes provide a suitable microenvironment for bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), which internalized exosomal miR-8485 released from the chondrocytes and induced chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway [18]
Summary
Observed cartilage damage of the temporomandibular joint mainly refers to the damage to the functional surfaces of condyles and joints. If not treated in a timely fashion, it is very likely to induce temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA). Patients with TMJOA often suffer from pain in the joint area, limiting mouth opening and precipitating mandibular movement disorder [1], which seriously reduces their quality of life. The treatment of condylar cartilage defects is mainly conservative, such as physical therapy, occlusal guide plate, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and joint puncture [3]. Surgical interventions, such as allograft and chondrocyte transplantation, are appropriate for patients with severe symptoms [4]. There is still no effective reconstruction method suitable for repairing the defective area
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