HST.535  Prin & Practice of Tissue Engr

Marrow-derived stromal cells (also referred to as mesenchymal stem cells, MSCs) are being investigated for many tissue engineering applications.  It has been shown that these these cells can be expanded in number in monolayer culture and can be induced to differentiate into selected cell types in vitro under certain culture conditions. However, their role in facilitating the regeneration of tissues in vivo requires further study.

a.  Human MSCs in monolayer culture stained with the antibody for smooth muscle actin (red).

b.  Cartilage formed by human MSCs grown in a pellet culture in chondrogenic medium for 3 weeks, stained for glycosaminoglycan (GAG; red).

c.  A tissue-engineered cartilage disc formed in vitro by MSCs grown in a collagen scaffold for 3 weeks, stained for GAG.