Abstract
Introduction: In this study infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) derived stem cells were expanded with and without Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF-2) supplementation and were compared with regards to their ability to proliferate and differentiate into chondrocytes.
Materials and Methods: Cells were isolated from the IPFP tissue and expanded in monolayer culture with and without rhFGF-2 supplementation (final concentration 10ng/ ml). Cell aggregates were placed in chondrogenic media for two weeks. Gene expression studies were carried out using quantitative real time PCR. Immunohistochemical labelling was performed with antibody localisation determined by an immunoperoxidase procedure. The pellets were also weighed and digested in papain for DNA and glycosoaminoglycan (GAG) analysis.
Results: Cells expanded in FGF-2 supplemented media were smaller and proliferated more rapidly. The FGF-2 supplemented cell aggregates also showed 100 times higher expression of collagen type II (COL2A1). Immunohistochemical studies showed that pellets made from FGF-2 treated cells stained more strongly for collagen II and more weakly for collagen I. Pellets made with FGF-2 treated cells were larger, continued with enhanced proliferation and contained more proteoglycan.
Conclusion: Our findings show enhanced proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation in IPFP derived stem cells expanded in FGF-2 supplemented media.
Correspondence should be addressed to Mr Tim Wilton, BASK at the Royal College of Surgeons, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE.
