TY - JOUR A1 - Wagenbrenner, Mike A1 - Heinz, Tizian A1 - Horas, Konstantin A1 - Jakuscheit, Axel A1 - Arnholdt, Joerg A1 - Mayer-Wagner, Susanne A1 - Rudert, Maximilian A1 - Holzapfel, Boris M. A1 - Weißenberger, Manuel T1 - Impact of Tranexamic Acid on Chondrocytes and Osteogenically Differentiated Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (hMSCs) In Vitro JF - Journal of Clinical Medicine N2 - The topical application of tranexamic acid (TXA) helps to prevent post-operative blood loss in total joint replacements. Despite these findings, the effects on articular and periarticular tissues remain unclear. Therefore, this in vitro study examined the effects of varying exposure times and concentrations of TXA on proliferation rates, gene expression and differentiation capacity of chondrocytes and human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs), which underwent osteogenic differentiation. Chondrocytes and hMSCs were isolated and multiplied in monolayer cell cultures. Osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs was induced for 21 days using a differentiation medium containing specific growth factors. Cell proliferation was analyzed using ATP assays. Effects of TXA on cell morphology were examined via light microscopy and histological staining, while expression levels of tissue-specific genes were measured using semiquantitative RT-PCR. After treatment with 50 mg/mL of TXA, a decrease in cell proliferation rates was observed. Furthermore, treatment with concentrations of 20 mg/mL of TXA for at least 48 h led to a visible detachment of chondrocytes. TXA treatment with 50 mg/mL for at least 24 h led to a decrease in the expression of specific marker genes in chondrocytes and osteogenically differentiated hMSCs. No significant effects were observed for concentrations beyond 20 mg/mL of TXA combined with exposure times of less than 24 h. This might therefore represent a safe limit for topical application in vivo. Further research regarding in vivo conditions and effects on hMSC functionality are necessary to fully determine the effects of TXA on articular and periarticular tissues. KW - tranexamic acid KW - hMSCs KW - chondrocytes KW - osteoarthritis KW - toxicity KW - differentiation capacity Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-219410 SN - 2077-0383 VL - 9 IS - 12 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wagenbrenner, Mike A1 - Mayer-Wagner, Susanne A1 - Rudert, Maximilian A1 - Holzapfel, Boris Michael A1 - Weissenberger, Manuel T1 - Combinations of hydrogels and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) for cartilage tissue engineering — a review of the literature JF - Gels N2 - Cartilage offers limited regenerative capacity. Cell-based approaches have emerged as a promising alternative in the treatment of cartilage defects and osteoarthritis. Due to their easy accessibility, abundancy, and chondrogenic potential mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) offer an attractive cell source. MSCs are often combined with natural or synthetic hydrogels providing tunable biocompatibility, biodegradability, and enhanced cell functionality. In this review, we focused on the different advantages and disadvantages of various natural, synthetic, and modified hydrogels. We examined the different combinations of MSC-subpopulations and hydrogels used for cartilage engineering in preclinical and clinical studies and reviewed the effects of added growth factors or gene transfer on chondrogenesis in MSC-laden hydrogels. The aim of this review is to add to the understanding of the disadvantages and advantages of various combinations of MSC-subpopulations, growth factors, gene transfers, and hydrogels in cartilage engineering. KW - hydrogels KW - osteoarthritis KW - cartilage defects KW - MSCs KW - cartilage regeneration KW - tissue engineering Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-250177 SN - 2310-2861 VL - 7 IS - 4 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Weißenberger, Manuel A1 - Wagenbrenner, Mike A1 - Schote, Fritz A1 - Horas, Konstantin A1 - Schäfer, Thomas A1 - Rudert, Maximilian A1 - Barthel, Thomas A1 - Heinz, Tizian A1 - Reppenhagen, Stephan T1 - The 3-triangle method preserves the posterior tibial slope during high tibial valgus osteotomy: first preliminary data using a mathematical model JF - Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics N2 - Purpose Despite much improved preoperative planning techniques accurate intraoperative assessment of the high tibial valgus osteotomy (HTO) remains challenging and often results in coronal over- and under-corrections as well as unintended changes of the posterior tibial slope. Noyes et al. reported a novel method for accurate intraoperative coronal and sagittal alignment correction based on a three-dimensional mathematical model. This is the first study examining preliminary data via the proposed Noyes approach for accurate intraoperative coronal and sagittal alignment correction during HTO. Methods From 2016 to 2020 a total of 24 patients (27 knees) underwent HTO applying the proposed Noyes method (Noyes-Group). Radiographic data was analyzed retrospectively and matched to patients that underwent HTO using the conventional method, i.e., gradual medial opening using a bone spreader under fluoroscopic control (Conventional-Group). All operative procedures were performed by an experienced surgeon at a single orthopaedic university center. Results From the preoperative to the postoperative visit no statistically significant changes of the posterior tibial slope were noted in the Noyes-Group compared to a significant increase in the Conventional-Group (p = 0.01). Regarding the axial alignment no significant differences between both groups were observed pre- and postoperatively. The number of over- and under-corrections did not differ significantly between both groups. Linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation of the postoperative medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) with the position of the weightbearing line on the tibial plateau. Conclusion The 3-triangle method by Noyes seems to be a promising approach for preservation of the posterior tibial slope during HTO. KW - knee KW - high tibial valgus osteotomy KW - axial alignment KW - posterior tibial slope KW - weight bearing line KW - cartilage KW - triangle method KW - osteoarthritis Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-300806 SN - 2197-1153 VL - 9 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ebert, Regina A1 - Weissenberger, Manuel A1 - Braun, Clemens A1 - Wagenbrenner, Mike A1 - Herrmann, Marietta A1 - Müller‐Deubert, Sigrid A1 - Krug, Melanie A1 - Jakob, Franz A1 - Rudert, Maximilian T1 - Impaired regenerative capacity and senescence‐associated secretory phenotype in mesenchymal stromal cells from samples of patients with aseptic joint arthroplasty loosening JF - Journal of Orthopaedic Research N2 - Aseptic loosening of total hip and knee joint replacements is the most common indication for revision surgery after primary hip and knee arthroplasty. Research suggests that exposure and uptake of wear by mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) and macrophages results in the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and local osteolysis, but also impaired cell viability and regenerative capacity of MSC. Therefore, this in vitro study compared the regenerative and differentiation capacity of MSC derived from patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (MSCprim) to MSC derived from patients undergoing revision surgery after aseptic loosening of total hip and knee joint implants (MSCrev). Regenerative capacity was examined by measuring the cumulative population doubling (CPD) in addition to the number of passages until cells stopped proliferating. Osteogenesis and adipogenesis in monolayer cultures were assessed using histological stainings. Furthermore, RT‐PCR was performed to evaluate the relative expression of osteogenic and adipogenic marker genes as well as the expression of markers for a senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP). MSCrev possessed a limited regenerative capacity in comparison to MSCprim. Interestingly, MSCrev also showed an impaired osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation capacity compared to MSCprim and displayed a SASP early after isolation. Whether this is the cause or the consequence of the aseptic loosening of total joint implants remains unclear. Future research should focus on the identification of specific cell markers on MSCprim, which may influence complication rates such as aseptic loosening of total joint arthroplasty to further individualize and optimize total joint arthroplasty. KW - aseptic loosening KW - mesenchymal stromal cells KW - regenerative capacity KW - senescence‐associated secretory phenotype Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-238963 VL - 40 IS - 2 SP - 513 EP - 523 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wagenbrenner, Mike A1 - Heinz, Tizian A1 - Horas, Konstantin A1 - Jakuscheit, Axel A1 - Arnholdt, Jörg A1 - Hermann, Marietta A1 - Rudert, Maximilian A1 - Holzapfel, Boris M. A1 - Steinert, Andre F. A1 - Weißenberger, Manuel T1 - The human arthritic hip joint is a source of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) with extensive multipotent differentiation potential JF - BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders N2 - Background While multiple in vitro studies examined mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) derived from bone marrow or hyaline cartilage, there is little to no data about the presence of MSCs in the joint capsule or the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) of the hip joint. Therefore, this in vitro study examined the presence and differentiation potential of MSCs isolated from the bone marrow, arthritic hyaline cartilage, the LCF and full-thickness samples of the anterior joint capsule of the hip joint. Methods MSCs were isolated and multiplied in adherent monolayer cell cultures. Osteogenesis and adipogenesis were induced in monolayer cell cultures for 21 days using a differentiation medium containing specific growth factors, while chondrogenesis in the presence of TGF-ss1 was performed using pellet-culture for 27 days. Control cultures were maintained for comparison over the same duration of time. The differentiation process was analyzed using histological and immunohistochemical stainings as well as semiquantitative RT-PCR for measuring the mean expression levels of tissue-specific genes. Results This in vitro research showed that the isolated cells from all four donor tissues grew plastic-adherent and showed similar adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation capacity as proven by the histological detection of lipid droplets or deposits of extracellular calcium and collagen type I. After 27 days of chondrogenesis proteoglycans accumulated in the differentiated MSC-pellets from all donor tissues. Immunohistochemical staining revealed vast amounts of collagen type II in all differentiated MSC-pellets, except for those from the LCF. Interestingly, all differentiated MSCs still showed a clear increase in mean expression of adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic marker genes. In addition, the examination of an exemplary selected donor sample revealed that cells from all four donor tissues were clearly positive for the surface markers CD44, CD73, CD90 and CD105 by flow cytometric analysis. Conclusions This study proved the presence of MSC-like cells in all four examined donor tissues of the hip joint. No significant differences were observed during osteogenic or adipogenic differentiation depending on the source of MSCs used. Further research is necessary to fully determine the tripotent differentiation potential of cells isolated from the LCF and capsule tissue of the hip joint. KW - Hip joint KW - Osteoarthritis KW - MSCs KW - Cartilage regeneration KW - Tissue engineering KW - Ligamentum capitis femoris KW - Joint capsule KW - Bone marrow Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-229497 VL - 21 IS - 1 ER - TY - THES A1 - Wagenbrenner, Mike Helmut T1 - In vitro-Charakterisierung mesenchymaler Stromazellen aus dem menschlichen Hüftgelenk T1 - In vitro characterization of mesenchymal stromal cells from the human hip joint N2 - In dieser Arbeit konnte erstmals gezeigt werden, dass plastik-adhärent wachsende, multipotente Vorläuferzellen, die eine für MSCs charakteristische Kombination von Oberflächenantigenen tragen, aus allen vier untersuchten Geweben des arthrotischen Hüftgelenks isoliert werden konnten. MSC-ähnliche Zellen können somit nicht nur in der Spongiosa und im Gelenkknorpel, sondern auch in der anterioren Gelenkkapsel und dem Ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) des arthrotisch veränderten menschlichen Hüftgelenks nachgewiesen werden. Die FACS Analyse der Oberflächenantigene auf Zellen, die aus den vier unterschiedlichen Geweben eines beispielhaft gewählten Spenders isoliert wurden, zeigte eine deutliche Expression der Antigene CD44, CD73, CD90 und CD105. Unabhängig vom Nativgewebe zeigten somit alle untersuchten Zellen ein für MSCs charakteristisches, aber nicht spezifisches Profil an Antigenen auf ihrer Oberfläche. Eine Übereinstimmung mit den ISCT Kriterien für MSCs war aufgrund der fehlenden Kontrolle hämatopoetischer Marker nicht möglich. Die multipotente Differenzierung der isolierten Zellen erfolgte mithilfe spezifischer Differenzierungsmedien in Monolayer-Kulturen oder für die chondrogene Differenzierung in dreidimensionalen Pellet-Kulturen. Nach 21 Tagen konnten in allen differenzierten Kulturen histologisch und immunhistochemisch klare Zeichen der Osteo- und Adipogenese detektiert werden, während die Auswertung spezifischer Markergene eine klare Steigerung der Expression dieser im Vergleich zu den Negativkontrollen zeigte. Histologische und immunhistochemische Auswertungen bestätigten auch eine erfolgreiche chondrogene Differenzierung der Zell-Pellets aus Spongiosa, Knorpel und Kapsel. Lediglich in den chondrogen differenzierten Zell-Pellets aus dem LCF konnte immunhistochemisch keine Bildung des knorpelspezifischen Matrixproteins Col II nachgewiesen werden. Mikroskopisch zeigten vor allem die differenzierten MSC-Pellets aus Spongiosa und Knorpel morphologisch eine starke Ähnlichkeit zu hyalinem Knorpelgewebe. Trotz dieser Abstufungen zeigten sich für die relative Expression der chondrogenen Markergene AGG, Col II und Sox-9 keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen den differenzierten MSC-Kulturen der vier unterschiedlichen Nativgewebe. Ein positiver Nachweis des Markers Col X wies nach 27 Tagen sowohl in differenzierten als auch in undifferenzierten Pellet-Kulturen auf eine leichte chondrogene Hypertrophie hin. Zusammenfassend zeigten sich keine signifikanten Unterschiede im Hinblick auf das osteogene und adipogene Differenzierungspotential aller untersuchten Zellen. Während das chondrogene Differenzierungspotential der Zellen aus Spongiosa, Knorpel und Kapsel sich aus histologischer und immunhistochemischer Sicht ähnelte, zeigten Pellets aus dem LCF ein schwächeres chondrogenes Differenzierungspotential in vitro. Obwohl somit erstmals MSC-ähnliche Zellen aus dem LCF und Gewebsproben, die neben dem Stratum synoviale auch das Stratum fibrosum der Hüftgelenkskapsel beinhalteten, charakterisiert wurden, sind weitere wissenschaftliche Arbeiten notwendig, um das multipotente Differenzierungspotential dieser Zellen zu optimieren. N2 - This study showed for the first time that plastic-adherent growing multipotent progenitor cells carrying a combination of surface antigens characteristic of MSCs could be isolated from four tissues of the arthritic hip joint.MSC-like cells can thus be detected not only in cancellous bone and articular cartilage, but also in the anterior joint capsule and ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) of the osteoarthritic human hip joint. FACS analysis of surface antigens on cells isolated from the four different tissues of an exemplarily selected donor showed a clear expression of the antigens CD44, CD73, CD90 and CD105. Thus, irrespective of the native tissue, all cells examined showed a profile of antigens on their surface that is characteristic but not specific for MSCs. However, cells did not meet the ISCT criteria since hematopoietic markers were not analyzed. Multipotent differentiation of the isolated cells was performed using specific differentiation media in monolayer cultures or three-dimensional pellet cultures for chondrogenic differentiation. After 21 days, clear signs of osteo- and adipogenesis could be detected histologically and immunohistochemically in all differentiated cultures, while evaluation of specific marker genes showed a clear increase in the expression of these compared with negative controls. Histological and immunohistochemical evaluations also confirmed successful chondrogenic differentiation of cell pellets from cancellous bone, cartilage, and capsule. Chondrogenically differentiated cell pellets from the LCF showed no formation of cartilage-specific matrix protein Col II. Microscopically the differentiated MSC pellets from cancellous bone and cartilage showed strong morphological similarity to hyaline cartilage tissue. Despite these gradations, there were no significant differences between the differentiated MSC cultures of the four different native tissues for the relative expression of the chondrogenic marker genes AGG, Col II, and Sox-9. Positive detection of the marker Col X indicated mild chondrogenic hypertrophy after 27 days in both differentiated and undifferentiated pellet cultures. In conclusion, there were no significant differences in osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation potential of all cells examined. While chondrogenic differentiation potential of progenitor cells isolated from cancellous bone, cartilage, and capsule was similar from a histological and immunohistochemical point of view, pellets from LCF showed a weaker chondrogenic differentiation potential in vitro. Although our current research proved the presence of MSC-like cells in the LCF and full-thickness tissue samples of the hip joint capsule further scientific work is required to evaluate the differentiation of the chondrogenic cells in the LCF. Histological and immunohistochemical evaluations also confirmed successful chondrogenic differentiation of cell pellets from cancellous bone, cartilage, and capsule. Only in the chondrogenically differentiated cell pellets from the LCF could no formation of the cartilage-specific matrix protein Col II be detected by immunohistochemistry. Microscopically, especially the differentiated MSC pellets from cancellous bone and cartilage showed strong morphological similarity to hyaline cartilage tissue. Despite these gradations, there were no significant differences between the differentiated MSC cultures of the four different native tissues for the relative expression of the chondrogenic marker genes AGG, Col II, and Sox-9. Positive detection of the marker Col X indicated mild chondrogenic hypertrophy after 27 days in both differentiated and undifferentiated pellet cultures. In conclusion, there were no significant differences in osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation potential of all cells examined. While the chondrogenic differentiation potential of cells from cancellous bone, cartilage, and capsule were similar from a histological and immunohistochemical point of view, pellets from LCF showed a weaker chondrogenic differentiation potential in vitro. Although our current research proved the presence of MSC-like cells in the LCF and full-thickness tissue samples of the human hip joint capsule further scientific work is required to optimize the multipotent differentiation potential of these cells. KW - Hüftgelenk KW - Arthrose KW - Mesenchymzelle KW - Knorpel KW - MSCs KW - tissue engineering KW - Hüfte KW - Arthrose KW - Regenerative Medizin KW - hip KW - Osteoarthritis Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-237110 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - von Hertzberg-Boelch, Sebastian Philipp A1 - Wagenbrenner, Mike A1 - Arnholdt, Jörg A1 - Frenzel, Stephan A1 - Holzapfel, Boris Michael A1 - Rudert, Maximilian T1 - Custom Made Monoflange Acetabular Components for the Treatment of Paprosky Type III Defects JF - Journal of Personalized Medicine N2 - Purpose: Patient-specific, flanged acetabular components are used for the treatment of Paprosky type III defects during revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). This monocentric retrospective cohort study analyzes the outcome of patients treated with custom made monoflanged acetabular components (CMACs) with intra- and extramedullary iliac fixation. Methods: 14 patients were included who underwent revision THA with CMACs for the treatment of Paprosky type III defects. Mechanism of THA failure was infection in 4 and aseptic loosening in 10 patients. Seven patients underwent no previous revision, the other seven patients underwent three or more previous revisions. Results: At a mean follow-up of 35.4 months (14–94), the revision rate of the implant was 28.3%. Additionally, one perioperative dislocation and one superficial wound infection occurred. At one year postoperatively, we found a significant improvement of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) score (p = 0.015). Postoperative radiographic analysis revealed good hip joint reconstruction with a mean leg length discrepancy of 3 mm (−8–20), a mean lateralization of the horizontal hip center of rotation of 8 mm (−8–35), and a mean proximalization of the vertical hip center of rotation of 6 mm (13–26). Radiolucency lines were present in 30%. Conclusion: CMACs can be considered an option for the treatment of acetabular bone loss in revision THA. Iliac intra- and extramedullary fixation allows soft tissue-adjusted hip joint reconstruction and improves hip function. However, failure rates are high, with periprosthetic infection being the main threat to successful outcome. KW - patient specific implant KW - custom made implant KW - revision hip KW - Paprosky KW - pelvic discontinuity Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-236513 SN - 2075-4426 VL - 11 IS - 4 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wagenbrenner, Mike A1 - Poker, Konrad A1 - Heinz, Tizian A1 - Herrmann, Marietta A1 - Horas, Konstantin A1 - Ebert, Regina A1 - Mayer-Wagner, Susanne A1 - Holzapfel, Boris M. A1 - Rudert, Maximilian A1 - Steinert, Andre F. A1 - Weißenberger, Manuel T1 - Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) isolated from various tissues of the human arthritic knee joint possess similar multipotent differentiation potential JF - Applied Sciences N2 - (1) Background: The mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) of different tissue origins are applied in cell-based chondrogenic regeneration. However, there is a lack of comparability determining the most suitable cell source for the tissue engineering (TE) of cartilage. The purpose of this study was to compare the in vitro chondrogenic potential of MSC-like cells from different tissue sources (bone marrow, meniscus, anterior cruciate ligament, synovial membrane, and the infrapatellar fat pad removed during total knee arthroplasty (TKA)) and define which cell source is best suited for cartilage regeneration. (2) Methods: MSC-like cells were isolated from five donors and expanded using adherent monolayer cultures. Differentiation was induced by culture media containing specific growth factors. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 was used as the growth factor for chondrogenic differentiation. Osteogenesis and adipogenesis were induced in monolayer cultures for 27 days, while pellet cell cultures were used for chondrogenesis for 21 days. Control cultures were maintained under the same conditions. After, the differentiation period samples were analyzed, using histological and immunohistochemical staining, as well as molecularbiological analysis by RT-PCR, to assess the expression of specific marker genes. (3) Results: Plastic-adherent growth and in vitro trilineage differentiation capacity of all isolated cells were proven. Flow cytometry revealed the clear co-expression of surface markers CD44, CD73, CD90, and CD105 on all isolated cells. Adipogenesis was validated through the formation of lipid droplets, while osteogenesis was proven by the formation of calcium deposits within differentiated cell cultures. The formation of proteoglycans was observed during chondrogenesis in pellet cultures, with immunohistochemical staining revealing an increased relative gene expression of collagen type II. RT-PCR proved an elevated expression of specific marker genes after successful differentiation, with no significant differences regarding different cell source of native tissue. (4) Conclusions: Irrespective of the cell source of native tissue, all MSC-like cells showed multipotent differentiation potential in vitro. The multipotent differentiation capacity did not differ significantly, and chondrogenic differentiation was proven in all pellet cultures. Therefore, cell suitability for cell-based cartilage therapies and tissue engineering is given for various tissue origins that are routinely removed during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study might provide essential information for the clinical tool of cell harvesting, leading to more flexibility in cell availability. KW - knee joint KW - MSCs KW - cellular origin KW - cartilage regeneration KW - tissue engineering KW - cell-based therapies KW - osteoarthritis Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-262334 SN - 2076-3417 VL - 12 IS - 4 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Weissenberger, Manuel A1 - Weissenberger, Manuela H. A1 - Wagenbrenner, Mike A1 - Heinz, Tizian A1 - Reboredo, Jenny A1 - Holzapfel, Boris M. A1 - Rudert, Maximilian A1 - Groll, Jürgen A1 - Evans, Christopher H. A1 - Steinert, Andre F. T1 - Different types of cartilage neotissue fabricated from collagen hydrogels and mesenchymal stromal cells via SOX9, TGFB1 or BMP2 gene transfer JF - PLoS One N2 - Objective As native cartilage consists of different phenotypical zones, this study aims to fabricate different types of neocartilage constructs from collagen hydrogels and human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) genetically modified to express different chondrogenic factors. Design Human MSCs derived from bone-marrow of osteoarthritis (OA) hips were genetically modified using adenoviral vectors encoding sex-determining region Y-type high-mobility-group-box (SOX)9,transforming growth factor beta (TGFB) 1or bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 2cDNA, placed in type I collagen hydrogels and maintained in serum-free chondrogenic media for three weeks. Control constructs contained unmodified MSCs or MSCs expressing GFP. The respective constructs were analyzed histologically, immunohistochemically, biochemically, and by qRT-PCR for chondrogenesis and hypertrophy. Results Chondrogenesis in MSCs was consistently and strongly induced in collagen I hydrogels by the transgenesSOX9,TGFB1andBMP2as evidenced by positive staining for proteoglycans, chondroitin-4-sulfate (CS4) and collagen (COL) type II, increased levels of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis, and expression of mRNAs associated with chondrogenesis. The control groups were entirely non-chondrogenic. The levels of hypertrophy, as judged by expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and COL X on both the protein and mRNA levels revealed different stages of hypertrophy within the chondrogenic groups (BMP2>TGFB1>SOX9). Conclusions Different types of neocartilage with varying levels of hypertrophy could be generated from human MSCs in collagen hydrogels by transfer of genes encoding the chondrogenic factorsSOX9,TGFB1andBMP2. This technology may be harnessed for regeneration of specific zones of native cartilage upon damage. KW - stem cells KW - in vitro KW - chondrogenic differentiation KW - repair KW - chondrocytes KW - transplantation KW - stimulation KW - scaffolds KW - defects KW - therapy Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-230494 VL - 15 IS - 8 ER -