2016-01-18

Matrix remodeling of cells is highly regulated by proteases and their inhibitors. Nevertheless, how would the chondrogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) be affected, when the balance of the matrix remodeling is disturbed by inhibiting matrix proteases, is incompletely known. Using a previously developed collagen microencapsulation platform, we investigated whether exposing chondrogenically differentiating MSCs to intracellular and extracellular protease inhibitors will affect the extracellular matrix remodeling and hence the outcomes of chondrogenesis. Results showed that inhibition of matrix proteases particularly the extracellular ones favors the phenotype of fibrocartilage rather than hyaline cartilage in chondrogenically differentiating hMSCs by upregulating type I collagen protein deposition and type II collagen gene expression without significantly altering the hypertrophic markers at gene level. This study suggests the potential of manipulating extracellular proteases to alter the outcomes of hMSC chondrogenesis, contributing to future development of differentiation protocols for fibrocartilage tissues for intervertebral disc and meniscus tissue engineering.

Han, S, Li, YY, Chan, BP. (2016). Data from: Extracellular Protease Inhibition Alters the Phenotype of Chondrogenically Differentiating Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) in 3D Collagen Microspheres. [Data File]. All relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files. Click on “Linked Publications” to access the publication and access supporting information on figshare at https://figshare.com/articles/_Extracellular_Protease_Inhibition_Alters_the_Phenotype_of_Chondrogenically_Differentiating_Human_Mesenchymal_Stem_Cells_MSCs_in_3D_Collagen_Microspheres_/1637059

matrix proteases

fibrocartilage

meniscus tissue engineering

msc

type II collagen gene expression

hmsc

3 D Collagen Microspheres Matrix

chondrogenically

Chondrogenically Differentiating Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

chondrogenesi

outcome

collagen microencapsulation platform

extracellular protease inhibitors

collagen protein deposition

Extracellular Protease Inhibition Alters