Comparison of the Chondrogenic Potential of Synovial Membrane-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Prepared Using Different Culture Methods for Temporomandibular Joint Disc Perforation Repair in Rabbits.

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the chondrogenic potential of synovial membrane mesenchymal stem cells (SMSCs) under varying culture conditions and their impact on disc defect regeneration.

METHODS

SMSCs were isolated from the rabbit synovium by an enzymatic method (E-SMSCs) or explant method (T-SMSCs). Then, SMSCs were cultured with transforming growth factor-β3 (TGFβ3) alone or in combination with bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP2). The expression of chondrogenesis-related markers and the content of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) were tested to evaluate chondrogenesis. Thirty temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discs were harvested from 15 rabbits. A 2 mm defect was created on each of the discs and transplanted with SMSC cell pellets into nude mice subcutaneously to investigate ectopic chondrogenic ability in vivo.

RESULTS

Both isolation techniques can achieve successful isolation of SMSCs from the synovium. Higher cellular proliferation was achieved by explant culture. When the induction solution contained only TGFβ3, T-SMSCs expressed more genes related to chondrogenesis and produced more GAGs. E-SMSCs demonstrated enhanced chondrogenic potential both in vitro and in vivo when treated with TGFβ3 and BMP2.

CONCLUSION

Both E-SMSCs and T-SMSCs expressed cartilage-specific markers in TGFβ3 medium. E-SMSCs demonstrated enhanced chondrogenic potential after induction with TGF-β3 and BMP2, both in vitro and in vivo.