Aim: To investigate the directed chondrogenic differentiation of human embryonic and adult stem cells in 3D alginate bead culture.

Introduction: Cartilage possesses limited self-renewal potential and current repair of damage due to trauma or disease involves removal of non-load bearing chon-drocytes from a healthy part of the joint, expansion of chondrocytes and subsequent surgery to replace damaged, load-bearing cartilage. We investigated the potential of human embryonic and adult stem cells as an alternative cell source for cartilage repair.

Experimental design: Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and human adult marrow stromal cells (hMSCs) cells were cultured in alginate in a 3D bead format in control or chondrogenic media over a 21day period. Cells were subsequently released from their matrix for gene expression analysis or fixed within alginate beads and crytostat sections prepared for immunostaining and histology.

Cell types used: H9 human embryonic stem cells, bone-marrow derived hMSCs and HEK293 (human embryonic kidney epithelium cell line, used as a negative control).

Data: H9 and hMSC cells cultured in alginate beads bathed in control media have a denser matrix with no lacunae-like structures compared to those cultured in the presence of chondrogenic media. The presence of chondrogenic media results in a matrix containing cells within lacunae-like structures very similar to those seen in human cartilage. In contrast, HEK293 cells formed large highly cellular clusters which had clearly undergone significant proliferation. As both H9 and HEK293 cells are highly proliferative the reduction in the proliferative potential of the chondrogenic H9 derived cells is consistent with entry into a stable terminally differentiated state.

Immunostaining demonstrated that hMSCs and H9 cells express cartilage specific Collagen II and Collagen X.

Conclusion: 3D culture of adult hMSCs and hESC (H9) in alginate beads has resulted in stable directed differentiation down the chondrogenic lineage. These data point towards the future use of these human cell sources in cartilage repair.

Introduction: Emerging therapies for regenerating skeletal tissues are focused on the repair of pathologically altered tissue by the transplantation of functionally competent cells and supportive matrices. Stem cells have the potential to differentiate into musculoskeletal tissue and may be the optimal cell source for such therapies. In vitro studies have demonstrated the ability of adult bone marrow stromal cells (MSC) and human embryonic stem cells (hES) to generate bone, but little is known regarding their potential to repair bone in vivo. Preclinical studies in animal models will allow investigation into the extent that regenerated tissue resembles functional and healthy tissue, and its potential clinical application.

Aim: To assess whether adult and embryonic stem cells maintained their ability to form musculoskeletal tissues in vivo using diffusion chambers implanted into the peritoneal cavity of nude mice. Currently, ongoing experiments are assessing the use of MSCs and hES cells to regenerate bone in a rodent preclinical model.

Methods: MSC cells and embryoid body-derived H9 hES cells were prepared as previously described (Haynesworth et al Bone 1992; Sottile et al Cloning Stem Cells 2003). Groups of cells were left untreated or pre-treated with osteogenic (OS) media for 5 days. Study 1: Single cell suspensions of untreated or pre-treated cells were injected into diffusion chambers which were implanted intraperitonealy into nude mice and left for 79 days. Study 2: OS pre-treated cells were implanted into an experimentally created full thickness calvarial defect in adult male Wistar rats. The defect area was left empty or filled with demineralised bone matrix (DBM: Allosource®) alone or with DBM/MSCs or DBM/hES composite. Tissues were collected 4 weeks after surgery.

Analysis: Histological and immunochemical techniques were used to evaluate cell phenotypes and the contribution of transplanted cells to tissue repair.

Results: Study 1: Both hES (in 2/3 chambers) and MSC (3/3) cells pre-treated with OS media formed only mineralised bone. No cartilage was detected in these OS pre-treated cells. Untreated hES cells formed both mineralised bone and cartilage within the chambers (2/3). In contrast, untreated MSC cells (3/3) produced no mineralised bone or cartilage. Preliminary analysis demonstrated the absence of any other tissue type in the diffusion chambers. Study 2: Active bone regeneration was observed at the edges of the calvarial defect after 4 weeks, with a high density of cells present within the MSC or hES/DBM composite. No signs of local cellular immunological response were seen.

Summary: OS pre-treatment restricted differentiation towards the osteoblast lineage in both hES and MSC cells indicating successful directed differentiation in vivo. Untreated hES and MSC cells produce a different range of cell phenotypes suggesting that the two cell sources represent cells at a different stage of commitment in a common cell lineage or cells derived from two distinct cell lineages. New bone formation was seen at the site of the calvarial defect in the presence OS pre-treated MSC and hES cells suggesting that these cells may support in vivo bone repair in a preclinical model. Funded by Geron Corporation