The Effect of Cartilage Extracellular Matrix Particle Size on the Chondrogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract

<b>Aim:</b> To investigate the effect of cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) particle size on the chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). <b>Materials & methods:</b> BMSCs were seeded into the scaffolds fabricated by small particle ECM materials and large particle ECM materials. For the positive control, chondrogenically induced BMSCs were seeded into commercial poly-lactic-glycolic acid scaffolds. Macroscopic observation, histological and immunohistochemical staining, mechanical testing and biochemical analysis were performed to the cell-scaffold constructs. <b>Results:</b> BMSCs in small particle ECM materials and poly-lactic-glycolic acid scaffolds were induced to differentiate into chondrocytes, while BMSCs in the large particle ECM materials scaffold did not differentiate into chondrocytes. <b>Conclusion:</b> The small ECM particle materials improved the induction ability of the cartilage ECM-derived scaffold.