PLoS ONE (Jan 2017)

Ovine Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: Morphologic, Phenotypic and Functional Characterization for Osteochondral Tissue Engineering.

  • Clara Sanjurjo-Rodríguez,
  • Rocío Castro-Viñuelas,
  • Tamara Hermida-Gómez,
  • Tania Fernández-Vázquez,
  • Isaac Manuel Fuentes-Boquete,
  • Francisco Javier de Toro-Santos,
  • Silvia María Díaz-Prado,
  • Francisco Javier Blanco-García

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0171231
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
p. e0171231

Abstract

Read online

INTRODUCTION:Knowledge of ovine mesenchymal stromal cells (oMSCs) is currently expanding. Tissue engineering combining scaffolding with oMSCs provides promising therapies for the treatment of osteochondral diseases. PURPOSE:The aim was to isolate and characterize oMSCs from bone marrow aspirates (oBMSCs) and to assess their usefulness for osteochondral repair using β-tricalcium phosphate (bTCP) and type I collagen (Col I) scaffolds. METHODS:Cells isolated from ovine bone marrow were characterized morphologically, phenotypically, and functionally. oBMSCs were cultured with osteogenic medium on bTCP and Col I scaffolds. The resulting constructs were evaluated by histology, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy studies. Furthermore, oBMSCs were cultured on Col I scaffolds to develop an in vitro cartilage repair model that was assessed using a modified International Cartilage Research Society (ICRS) II scale. RESULTS:oBMSCs presented morphology, surface marker pattern and multipotent capacities similar to those of human BMSCs. oBMSCs seeded on Col I gave rise to osteogenic neotissue. Assessment by the modified ICRS II scale revealed that fibrocartilage/hyaline cartilage was obtained in the in vitro repair model. CONCLUSIONS:The isolated ovine cells were demonstrated to be oBMSCs. oBMSCs cultured on Col I sponges successfully synthesized osteochondral tissue. The data suggest that oBMSCs have potential for use in preclinical models prior to human clinical studies.