Chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells on matrices of hyaluronan derivatives

Mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow have the capacity to differentiate into chondrocytes when cultured under appropriate conditions and offer significant opportunities for regeneration of cartilage lesions in joint disease. Hyaluronan derivatives may be used as construct materials to support the growth and differentiation of stem cells and allow them to be delivered to the site of injury. HYAFF-11 was evaluated as a potential vehicle for such a delivery by determining the ability of the material, both in a sponge and fabric format, to support differentiation of stem cells, When cultured on these materials without serum and with added TGF-beta3 stem cells were capable of differentiating into chondrocytes with rapid deposition of a proteoglycan- and collagen II-rich extracellular matrix.