Multipotent Stromal Cells Outperform Chondrocytes on Cartilage-Derived Matrix Scaffolds

OBJECTIVE Although extracellular matrix (ECM)-derived scaffolds have been extensively studied and applied in a number of clinical applications, the use of ECM as a biomaterial for (osteo)chondral regeneration is less extensively explored. This study aimed at evaluating the chondrogenic potential of cells seeded on cartilage-derived matrix (CDM) scaffolds in vitro. DESIGN Scaffolds were generated from decellularized equine articular cartilage and seeded with either chondrocytes or multipotent stromal cells (MSCs). After 2, 4, and 6 weeks of in vitro culture, CDM constructs were analyzed both histologically (hematoxylin and eosin, Safranin-O, collagen types I and II) and biochemically (glycosaminoglycan [GAG] and DNA content). RESULTS After 4 weeks, both cell types demonstrated chondrogenic differentiation; however, the MSCs significantly outperformed chondrocytes in producing new GAG-containing cartilaginous matrix. CONCLUSION These promising in vitro results underscore the potency of CDM scaffolds in (osteo)chondral defect repair.