Analysis of collagen expression during chondrogenic induction of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

Adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are currently being investigated as an alternative to chondrocytes for repairing cartilage defects. As several collagen types participate in the formation of cartilage-specific extracellular matrix, we have investigated their gene expression levels during MSC chondrogenic induction. Bone marrow MSCs were cultured in pellet in the presence of BMP-2 and TGF-β3 for 24 days. After addition of FGF-2, at the fourth passage during MSC expansion, there was an enhancing effect on specific cartilage gene expression when compared to that without FGF-2 at day 12 in pellet culture. A switch in expression from the pre-chondrogenic type IIA form to the cartilage-specific type IIB form of the collagen type II gene was observed at day 24. A short-term addition of FGF-2 followed by a treatment with BMP-2/TGF-β3 appears sufficient to accelerate chondrogenesis with a particular effect on the main cartilage collagens.