@article{rikkers_progenitor_2021,
	title = {Progenitor Cells in Healthy and Osteoarthritic Human Cartilage Have Extensive Culture Expansion Capacity while Retaining Chondrogenic Properties},
	volume = {13},
	issn = {1947-6035, 1947-6043},
	url = {http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/19476035211059600},
	doi = {10.1177/19476035211059600},
	abstract = {Objective
              Articular cartilage-derived progenitor cells ({ACPCs}) are a potential new cell source for cartilage repair. This study aims to characterize endogenous {ACPCs} from healthy and osteoarthritic ({OA}) cartilage, evaluate their potential for cartilage regeneration, and compare this to cartilage formation by chondrocytes.
            
            
              Design
              {ACPCs} were isolated from full-thickness healthy and {OA} human cartilage and separated from the total cell population by clonal growth after differential adhesion to fibronectin. {ACPCs} were characterized by growth kinetics, multilineage differentiation, and surface marker expression. Chondrogenic redifferentiation of {ACPCs} was compared with chondrocytes in pellet cultures. Pellets were assessed for cartilage-like matrix production by (immuno)histochemistry, quantitative analyses for glycosaminoglycans and {DNA} content, and expression of chondrogenic and hypertrophic genes.
            
            
              Results
              Healthy and {OA} {ACPCs} were successfully differentiated toward the adipogenic and chondrogenic lineage, but failed to produce calcified matrix when exposed to osteogenic induction media. Both {ACPC} populations met the criteria for cell surface marker expression of mesenchymal stromal cells ({MSCs}). Healthy {ACPCs} cultured in pellets deposited extracellular matrix containing proteoglycans and type {II} collagen, devoid of type I collagen. Gene expression of hypertrophic marker type X collagen was lower in healthy {ACPC} pellets compared with {OA} pellets.
            
            
              Conclusions
              This study provides further insight into the {ACPC} population in healthy and {OA} human articular cartilage. {ACPCs} show similarities to {MSCs}, yet do not produce calcified matrix under well-established osteogenic culture conditions. Due to extensive proliferative potential and chondrogenic capacity, {ACPCs} show potential for cartilage regeneration and possibly for clinical application, as a promising alternative to {MSCs} or chondrocytes.},
	pages = {129S--142S},
	number = {2},
	journaltitle = {{CARTILAGE}},
	shortjournal = {{CARTILAGE}},
	author = {Rikkers, M. and Korpershoek, J.V. and Levato, R. and Malda, J. and Vonk, L.A.},
	urldate = {2022-03-17},
	date = {2021-12},
	langid = {english},
}