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Higher BMP receptor expression and BMP-2-induced osteogenic differentiation in tendon-derived stem cells compared with bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

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Abstract

Purpose

Surgical reattachment of tendon to bone often fails due to regeneration failure of the specialised tendon–bone junction (TBJ). The use of mesenchymal stem cells for TBJ regeneration has been reported with promising results. Tendon-derived stem cells (TDSCs) with high proliferative and multi-lineage differentiation potential have been isolated. As stem cells residing in tendons, TDSCs can be considered a new cell source for TBJ repair. Bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP-2) is a potent osteogenic factor with roles in normal bone healing and pathological ectopic bone formation in soft tissues. The use of BMP-2 to promote TBJ repair has been well reported. This study aimed to compare TDSCs to the gold standard bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) with respect to osteogenic response to BMP-2 in vitro.

Method

The clonogenicity and multi-differentiation potential of TDSCs and BMSCs were identified by colony-forming-unit assay, osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation assays. Their osteogenic response to BMP-2 in vitro was examined by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) cytochemical staining, ALP activity assay and Alizarin red S staining of calcium nodule formation. Messenger RNA (mRNA) and BMP receptor (types IA, IB and II) protein expression were examined by quantitative real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting.

Results

Our results showed that both TDSCs and BMSCs exhibited stem cell properties, including clonogenicity and multi-differentiation potential. TDSCs expressed higher mRNA and protein levels of BMP receptors IA, IB and II. They also exhibited higher osteogenic differentiation with and without BMP-2 stimulation compared with BMSCs.

Conclusions

TDSCs with/without BMP-2 might be an attractive source for TBJ repair compared with BMSCs.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by equipment/resources donated by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and the CUHK Direct Grant (Ref no. 2010.1.063).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Rm. 74025, 5/F, Clinical Sciences Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Yun Feng Rui, Pauline Po Yee Lui, Yuk Wai Lee & Kai Ming Chan

  2. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Sports Medicine and Health Sciences Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Yun Feng Rui, Pauline Po Yee Lui, Yuk Wai Lee & Kai Ming Chan

  3. Program of Stem Cell and Regeneration, School of Biomedical Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Pauline Po Yee Lui & Kai Ming Chan

  4. Department of Orthopaedics, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, 87 Ding Jia Qiao, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China

    Yun Feng Rui

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  1. Yun Feng Rui
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Correspondence to Pauline Po Yee Lui.

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Rui, Y.F., Lui, P.P.Y., Lee, Y.W. et al. Higher BMP receptor expression and BMP-2-induced osteogenic differentiation in tendon-derived stem cells compared with bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 36, 1099–1107 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-011-1417-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-011-1417-1

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