Yao Yongchang,Chen Ke,Pan Qian,Gao Hui,Su Weixian,Zheng Shicong,Dong Weiqiang,Qian Dongyang
Objectives We genetically modified dedifferentiated chondrocytes (DCs) using lentiviral vectors and adenoviral vectors encoding TGF-β3 (referred to as transgenic groups below) and encapsulated these DCs in the microcavitary hydrogel and investigated the combinational effect on redifferentiation of the genetically manipulated DCs. Results The Cell Counting Kit-8 data indicated that both transgenic groups exhibited significantly higher cell viability in the first week but inferior cell viability in the subsequent timepoints compared with those of the control group. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis results demonstrated that both transgenic groups had a better effect on redifferentiation to some extent, as evidenced by higher expression levels of chondrogenic genes, suggesting the validity of combination with transgenic DCs and the microcavitary hydrogel on redifferentiation. Although transgenic DCs with adenoviral vectors presented a superior extent of redifferentiation, they also expressed greater levels of the hypertrophic gene type X collagen. It is still worth further exploring how to deliver TGF-β3 more efficiently and optimizing the appropriate parameters, including concentration and duration. Conclusions The results demonstrated the better redifferentiation effect of DCs with the combinational use of transgenic TGF-β3 and a microcavitary alginate hydrogel and implied that DCs would be alternative seed cells for cartilage tissue engineering due to their easily achieved sufficient cell amounts through multiple passages and great potential to redifferentiate to produce cartilaginous extracellular matrix.
Pengfei Zhu,Zhengchao Wang,Zhenxing Sun,Bokai Liao,Yu Cai
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disease that mainly affects the diarthrodial joints. Treatments for OA include non-pharmacological interventions, topical and oral therapies, intra-articular therapies and joint surgery. However, all the treatments mentioned above mainly aim to control the symptoms instead of improving or reversing the joint condition. In this research, we observed the effect of recombinant platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB on OA in a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)–induced rat model and revealed the possible mechanisms. In vitro, the level of inflammation in the chondrocytes was gradually alleviated, and the apoptosis rate was gradually decreased by PDGF-BB at increasing concentrations. The levels of p-p38, Bax and caspase-3 decreased, and the level of p-Erk increased with increasing PDGF-BB concentration. In vivo, PDGF-BB could significantly reverse chondrocyte and matrix loss. Furthermore, high concentrations of PDGF-BB could alleviate cartilage hyperplasia to remodel the tissue. The level of collagen II was up-regulated, and the levels of collagen X and apoptosis were down-regulated by increasing concentrations of PDGF-BB. In conclusion, recombinant PDGF-BB alleviated OA by down-regulating caspase-3-dependent apoptosis. The effects of PDGF-BB on OA mainly include inhibiting chondrocyte loss, reducing cartilage hyperplasia and osteophyte formation, and regulating collagen anabolism.