Chondrogenic differentiation of human umbilical cord blood-derived multilineage progenitor cells in atelocollagen

Background For successful stem cell-based therapy, not only are alternative good cell sources needed but appropriate scaffolds are key factors. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the multipotentiality of multilineage progenitor cells (MLPC) and assess the three-dimensional cultivation and chondrogenic differentiation of MLPC in atelocollagen gel for application of tissue-engineered cartilage constructs. Methods MLPC, human umbilical cord blood-derived clonal cell lines, from BioE Inc. were used. Immunophenotypes of MLPC were characterized using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS). In vitro differentiation potentials into osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic lineages were examined. Differentiated cells were characterized by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), histologic and immunofluorescence staining. Results Clonogenic MLPC maintained immunophenotypes with specific surface markers of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC). The osteogenic and adipogenic potentials of MLPC were demonstrated by quantitative real-time PCR, alkaline phosphates activity and Oil Red O staining. Furthermore, MLPC were successfully differentiated into chondrocytes in atelocollagen gel, which was confirmed by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining for type II collagen protein. Discussion Whenever MSC are considered for the treatment of cartilage defects, a variety of scaffolds have been utilized as successful carriers for cell delivery. Our results suggest that MLPC can serve as an alternative source for stem cell-based therapy and transplantation. The chondrogenic potential of MLPC in atelocollagen could be suitable for cartilage tissue engineering.