Enhanced chondrogenesis of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in a gelatin honeycomb scaffold

Transplantation of chondrogenic stem cells is a promising strategy for cartilage repair, but requires improvements in cell sourcing, maintenance, and chondrogenic differentiation efficiency. We examined whether gelatin honeycomb scaffolds can enhance the proliferation, viability, and chondrogenic capability of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUCMSCs) compared to standard plate cultures. In addition, the survival and phenotypic stability of HUCMSC-derived chondrocytes in a scaffold were evaluated in mice over 6 weeks post-transplantation. Survival and proliferation rates of HUCMSCs were comparable between scaffold and plate culture. Scaffold culture in a chondrogenic differentiation medium induced more stable expression of the key hyaline cartilage genes COL2A1 and ACAN and the production of the respective proteins Type II collagen and aggrecan as well as glycosaminoglycan. These HUCMSC-differentiated chondrocytes also stably expressed cartilage genes and proteins in the scaffold 6 weeks after transplantation into nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient mice. These findings indicate that honeycomb-like gelatin scaffolds can promote the survival and chondrogenic differentiation of HUCMSCs to form hyaline-like cartilage.