Efficient CRISPR-Cas9-based knockdown of RUNX2 to induce chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells

Effective knockdown of the RUNX2 gene by CRISPR-Cas9-based nanoparticles (CASP-NPs) is even more effective in chondrogenic differentiation.

Photocontrolled chondrogenic differentiation and long-term tracking of mesenchymal stem cells in vivo by upconversion nanoparticles

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have multiple differentiation potentials and its clinical application is limited with control cell differentiation and long-term tracing in vivo. Here, we developed a upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP)...

A highly porous type II collagen containing scaffold for the treatment of cartilage defects enhances MSC chondrogenesis and early cartilaginous matrix deposition.

A major challenge in cartilage tissue engineering (TE) is the development of instructive and biomimetic scaffolds capable of driving effective mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) chondrogenic differentiation and robust de novo...

Hypoxia Modulates Regenerative Potential of Fetal Stem Cells

Adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are prone to senescence, which limits the scope of their use in tissue engineering and regeneration and increases the likelihood of post-implantation failure. As a robust alternative cell source, fetal stem cells can prevent an immune reaction and senescence. However, few studies use this cell type. In this study, we sought to characterize fetal cells’ regenerative potential in hypoxic conditions. Specifically, we examined whether hypoxic exposure during the expansion and differentiation phases would affect human fetal nucleus pulposus cell (NPC) and fetal synovium-derived stem cell (SDSC) plasticity and three-lineage differentiation potential. We concluded that fetal NPCs represent the most promising cell source for chondrogenic differentiation, as they are more responsive and display stronger phenotypic stability, particularly when expanded and differentiated in hypoxic conditions. Fetal SDSCs have less potential for chondrogenic differentiation compared to their adult counterpart. This study also indicated that fetal SDSCs exhibit a discrepancy in adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation in response to hypoxia.