Adult articular cartilage has been found to actually contain a small population of resident stem cells that have a restricted differentiation potential: these cells become permanent chondrocytes when placed in exactly the same conditions under which MSCs become endochondral chondrocytes. What makes the differentiation pathway for these resident stem cells different from MSCs, and seemingly all other stem cells for which chondrogenesis has been tested? We hypothesize that the lineage restriction of articular cartilage stem cells (ACSCs) is driven by differences in RNA expression.
The specific aim to test this hypothesis is to define the differences in the transcriptomes between articular cartilage stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells and the permanent and endochondral chondrocytes they differentiate into. Next generation RNA sequencing techniques will be used to compare the transcriptomes of ACSCs and MSCs and the transcriptomes of the chondrocytes differentiated from these two stem cell types. Pathways that control the differential differentiation of ACSCs and MSCs will be identified. The analysis will include microRNAs and we aim to identify those involved in the regulation of the differentiation potential of the two stem cell types as well as permanent and endochondral chondrocyte differentiation. There are presently no markers that define the ACSC population. Although several groups have suggested cell surface markers can define ACSCs, these have not been rigorously examined. To-date, no comprehensive screen for markers has been conducted. We hypothesize that a combination of markers can be determined for the ACSC population in the manner done for other stem cell types. Surface marker array technology will be used to search for a combination of markers that can be used to define the ACSC population. Such markers can then be used to efficiently isolate permanent cartilage-producing stem cells for tissue engineering, and assess the level of stem cells in different stages of cartilage pathologies.

Public Health Relevance

This project aims to define articular cartilage-resident stem cells by identifying markers for them and elucidating the mechanisms that facilitate their differentiation into permanent chondrocytes. Understanding how to manipulate stem cells of other types into permanent chondrocytes would be a major practical step forward for cartilage repair. Furthermore, understanding what maintains the permanent chondrocyte phenotype could allow development of therapies that slow or reverse cellular changes seen in osteoarthritis.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21AR064431-02
Application #
8632995
Study Section
Skeletal Biology Structure and Regeneration Study Section (SBSR)
Program Officer
Wang, Fei
Project Start
2013-04-01
Project End
2015-03-31
Budget Start
2014-04-01
Budget End
2015-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$163,625
Indirect Cost
$57,375
Name
Oregon Health and Science University
Department
Orthopedics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
096997515
City
Portland
State
OR
Country
United States
Zip Code
97239
Anderson, Devon E; Markway, Brandon D; Weekes, Kenneth J et al. (2018) Physioxia Promotes the Articular Chondrocyte-Like Phenotype in Human Chondroprogenitor-Derived Self-Organized Tissue. Tissue Eng Part A 24:264-274
Anderson, Devon E; Johnstone, Brian (2017) Dynamic Mechanical Compression of Chondrocytes for Tissue Engineering: A Critical Review. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 5:76
Anderson, Devon E; Markway, Brandon D; Bond, Derek et al. (2016) Responses to altered oxygen tension are distinct between human stem cells of high and low chondrogenic capacity. Stem Cell Res Ther 7:154
Markway, Brandon D; Cho, Holly; Zilberman-Rudenko, Jevgenia et al. (2015) Hypoxia-inducible factor 3-alpha expression is associated with the stable chondrocyte phenotype. J Orthop Res 33:1561-70