The repair of articular cartilage requires sufficient numbers of chondrocytes to replace the defective tissue. Creative Bioarray has a first-class technology platform to help clients develop strategies to reprogram skin cells directly into chondrocytes to provide sufficient numbers of chondrocytes. Our specialized scientific services will help you advance your project in the field of cell reprogramming.
Background
Articular cartilage is a weight-bearing, avascular tissue comprised of chondrocytes embedded in the extracellular matrix to form the basis for smooth joint junctions. Aging and trauma are the major causes of cartilage degeneration, and the mitotically inactive chondrocytes and avascularity of cartilage limit the tissue's intrinsic healing capacity. SOX9, SOX5 and SOX6 (the SOX trio) are the main regulators of cartilage formation. Scientists have achieved in vitro differentiation from pluripotent or multipotent embryonic stem cells into chondrogenic and osteogenic lineages based on these findings from developmental studies. This achievement opens the door to the development of cell-based therapies to treat a wide range of skeletal diseases.
Currently, iPSC reprogramming approaches have been used to generate chondrocytes by ectopic expression of defined lineage-specific TFs based on their major regulatory functions in cartilage formation. It has been shown that retroviral-mediated expression of two iPSC reprogramming factors (c-MYC and KLF4) and SOX9, a master regulator of chondrogenesis, can transform mouse dermal fibroblasts into chondrocytes that express cartilage marker genes and secrete extracellular matrix. The ability to generate osteochondral progenitor cells through reprogramming methods using specific factors may hold promise for cell replacement therapies that are not limited to cartilage but also applicable to bone tissue.
Fig.1 The generation and selection of induced chondrogenic cells from human dermal fibroblast culture. (Outani, 2013)
Our Strategies
As a customer-focused biotechnology company, Creative Bioarray have developed multiple strategies to help our customers reprogram skin cells into chondrocytes, including iPSC-mediated reprogramming and direct lineage conversion.
- Reprogramming of human dermal fibroblasts into osteogenic chondrocytes with increased osteogenic capacity through defined TFs.
- Direct reprogramming of human dermal fibroblasts to hyaline chondrocytes driven by electrical stimulation.
- Converting fibroblast to chondrocyte through non-TF-mediated reprogramming, such as the introduction of a hypoxic environment and the use of reagents, biomaterials and scaffolds that promote direct reprogramming to chondrocyte-like cells.
Applications
- Generation of osteo-chondrogenic cells
- Development of therapies for a broad range of skeletal diseases
- Development of hyaline cartilage-related biomaterials
Advantages
- Creative research team
- Excellent industry reputation
- Customization and optimization of experimental conditions according to customer requirements
- Extensive collaborative experience in the field of cell reprogramming
Creative Bioarray relies on advanced instrumentation and technology to provide reliable products and services to our customers. We have established multiple strategies for reprogramming skin cells into chondrocytes for our customers. If you need related technical services, please contact us.
References
- Outani, H.; et al. Direct induction of chondrogenic cells from human dermal fibroblast culture by defined factors. PloS one. 2013, 8(10): e77365.
- Wang, Y.; et al. Reprogramming of dermal fibroblasts into osteo-chondrogenic cells with elevated osteogenic potency by defined transcription factors. Stem Cell Reports. 2017, 8(6): 1587-1599.