2022, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (30): 4834-4839

Transforming growth factor beta 3 in mediating chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells from different sources

Li Ruiyu, Shi Xu, Chen Qi, Zuo Hua, Li Kezhen   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: At present, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells have achieved remarkable results in the treatment of cartilage injury. However, compared with them, nasal mucosal mesenchymal stem cell transplantation has more advantages, such as easier access to patients, safe biopsy without damaging the sense of smell.  
OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of transforming growth factor-β3 on chondrogenic differentiation of nasal mucosal mesenchymal stem cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.
METHODS:   Sprague-Dawley rat nasal mucosal mesenchymal stem cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured in vitro. Chondrogenic differentiation medium containing transforming growth factor β3 was used to induce chondrogenesis. In the corresponding control group, chondrogenic differentiation medium without transforming growth factor β3 was utilized for culture. On days 7 and 14, the overall structure was observed and cellular RNA and protein were extracted. RT-PCR and western blot assay were used to detect the expression of chondrocyte-related COL2A1, SOX-9, and Aggrecan.  
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) After 7 days of cartilage induction, both bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and nasal mucosal mesenchymal stem cells could form a translucent membrane structure, which is difficult to disperse after centrifugation. (2) Compared with the control group, the expression levels of COL2A1 and Aggrecan mRNA were significantly up-regulated after the addition of transforming growth factor β3 into cartilage induced differentiation (P < 0.01). The expression levels of COL2A1 and Aggrecan mRNA in the nasal mucosal mesenchymal stem cell group were higher than those in the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell group (P < 0.01). After 7 days of intervention, the expression of SOX-9 mRNA of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in the experimental group was not significantly different from that in the control group (P > 0.05), but the expression of SOX-9 mRNA of nasal mesenchymal stem cells was significantly higher in the experimental group than that in the control group (P < 0.01). (3) Compared with the control group, the expression levels of COL2A1 and SOX-9 protein were significantly up-regulated after the addition of transforming growth factor β3 into cartilage induced differentiation (P < 0.01). COL2A1 protein expression was higher in the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell group than that in the nasal mucosal mesenchymal stem cell group on day 14 (P < 0.01). The expression of SOX-9 protein in the experimental group of nasal mucosal mesenchymal stem cells after 7 and 14 days of intervention was significantly higher than that in the experimental group of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (P < 0.01). (4) The results show that transforming growth factor β3 has a cartilage stimulating effect on nasal mucosal mesenchymal stem cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Nasal mucosal mesenchymal stem cells are also potential candidates for future cartilage repair strategies.
Key words: nasal mucosal mesenchymal stem cells, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, transforming growth factor-β3, cartilage injury, chondrogenic differentiation