12.3.10 - Progenitor cells with high chondrogenic potential are present in the adult human meniscus
- J. Korpershoek (Utrecht, NL)
- J. Korpershoek (Utrecht, NL)
- M. Rikkers (Utrecht, NL)
- T. De Windt (Utrecht, NL)
- D. Saris (Rochester, US)
- M. Tryfonidou (Utrecht, NL)
- L. Vonk (Utrecht, NL)
Abstract
Purpose
Meniscus injury and osteoarthritis are strongly correlated. The presence of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in different intra-articular tissues has been described. If progenitor cells are present in the meniscus, they could be targeted for meniscus tissue regeneration and used as a potential superior cell source for cell therapy. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to isolate and characterize meniscus-derived progenitor cells from osteoarthritic meniscus according to the MSC guidelines of the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT).
Methods and Materials
Osteoarthritic menisci of 5 donors were digested to release the cells. Progenitor cells were selected by fibronectin adhesion and cultured up to passage 4. Trilineage potential of progenitor cells was compared to non-selected meniscus cells. After 3 weeks of culturing in differentiation medium, cells were stained with Alizarin red for osteogenic, Oil red O for adipogenic, and Safranin O for chondrogenic differentiation. Expression of positive (CD105, CD73 and CD90) and negative (CD45, CD34, CD11b, CD79A and HLA-DR) MSC markers was assessed by flow cytometry (n=2). Meniscus cells were co-cultured with progenitor cells in a 20:80 ratio in the absence of growth factors. Glycosaminoglycan and DNA content was determined using a dimethylmethylene-Blue (DMMB) and PicoGreen assay
Results
Both progenitor and meniscus cells demonstrated osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. Progenitors showed glycosaminoglycan deposition, indicating chondrogenic differentiation. However, none of the meniscus cells showed chondrogenic differentiation. 73-87% of the progenitor cells expressed the surface marker profile according to the ISCT MSC-criteria. Co-culture of meniscus cells with progenitor cells increased glycosaminoglycan deposition. 
Conclusion
Progenitor cells are present in osteoarthritic human meniscus. Progenitor cells have trilineage potential with higher chondrogenic capacity than non-selected meniscus cells. Moreover, meniscus progenitor cells express MSC markers. Co-culturing of progenitor and meniscus cells increases glycosaminoglycan deposition; therefore meniscus progenitor cells are a promising cell source for one-stage therapies and meniscus tissue engineering.