Differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes in vitro

Objective To build a method of culture of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro and investigate feasibility of inducing differentiation of MSCs into chondrocytes.Methods Human MSCs were isolated from adult bone marrow and purified by density gradient centrifuge and cultured in vitro.The MSCs attachment formed after 7-10 days and those in passage 3 were chosen to induce into chondrogenic differentiation.Sixteen days later,the sulfate glycosaminoglycan was measured by toluidine blue,type Ⅱ collagen assay with immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR.Then induced MSCs were co-cultured with the new material PLGA.Results The primary culture way purified by density gradient centrifuge could obtain homogeneous MSCs.Induced MSCs had typical appearance of chondrocyte.The heterochromia of the induced cells was very evident,the expression of protein and mRNA of collagen type Ⅱ were positive,and the compatibility of MSCs with PLGA was perfect.Conclusion The MSCs can be separated from adult bone marrow,cultured in vitro and induced into chondrocytes.