Clinically deficient cartilage is difficult to regenerate, and the availability of chondrocytes is very limited. However, human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) can be obtained easily and in sufficient quantities. Therefore, we will find a way of replacing chondrocytes with fat stem cells to solve the problem of seed cell origin. Previous studies have revealed that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) can promote chondrocyte differentiation and maturation. In this study, we found that TGF-β3 in the transforming growth factor family can effectively promote the transformation process from fat stem cells to chondrocytes, thus promoting chondrogenesis. At the same time, we also further reviewed and considered the mechanism of this process. Through flow cytometry, immunohistochemical, fluorescent microscopy, qRCR, Wb etc., we found that TGF-β3 mainly plays a role through wnt5a/β-catenin, promoting human fat stem cell growing into the cartilage. This discovery is expected to provide new ideas in the field of cartilage regeneration.
Keywords: ADSCs; Chondrocyte; Chondrogenesis; TGF-β(3); wnt5a/β-catenin.
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