Base media for the differentiation of MSCs into chondrocytes. For use with Human/Mouse and Rat StemXVivo^® Chondrogenic Supplements.

Why Induce Chondrogenesis in MSCs with a Defined Media Supplement?

Despite the well-characterized factors and protocols used to differentiate mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) into chondrocytes, differentiation efficiencies can vary depending on the quality of the MSC starting population and the reagents used to expand and differentiate MSCs.

Human/Mouse StemXVivo^® Chondrogenic Supplement:

• Contains high quality differentiation factors to drive reproducible and efficient MSC chondrogenesis.
• Is defined to reduce unwanted experimental variability.
• Has been developed and optimized using human and mouse MSCs.

The term ‘mesenchymal stromal cells’ is commonly used to describe a heterogeneous population of cultured cells that are adherent to plastic, have a distinct morphology, and express a specific set of marker proteins. Within this heterogeneous population are cells referred to as ‘mesenchymal stem cells.’

Mesenchymal stem cells are multipotent, self-renewing cells that have the ability to differentiate into adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteoblasts when cultured in vitro.

Human/Mouse Chondrogenic Supplement Components

This media supplement contains defined, high quality factors to drive MSC differentiation into chondrocytes.

• This supplement requires media (not included), such as Human/Mouse/Rat StemXVivo^® Chondrogenic Base Media (Catalog # ) or equivalent.
• The quantity of chondrogenic media supplement supplied is sufficient to make 50 mL of media for differentiation.

2006 Proposed Change to MSC Nomenclature

Although mesenchymal stromal cells were once referred to as ‘mesenchymal stem cells’, a change to ‘mesenchymal stromal cells’ was proposed by the International Society for Cellular Therapy in 2006.

The change in nomenclature originates from two important factors:

• Methods used to isolate mesenchymal stem cells yield a heterogeneous population of cells with only a fraction of these cells demonstrating multipotency.
• The absence of direct evidence that mesenchymal stem cells can self-renew and differentiate in vivo.

Use of Mesenchymal Stem and Stromal Cell Terminology

Data supporting MSC self-renewal and multipotency have been obtained using in vitro conditions, which does not adequately reflect the in vivo environment. The lack of in vivo data has led some researchers to question the validity of the term ‘mesenchymal stem cell’ providing further support for the use of ‘mesenchymal stromal cells’ to describe MSCs. While ‘mesenchymal stromal cells’ may be the more scientifically accurate term for MSCs, the two terms are often used interchangeably in the literature. R&D Systems recognizes the use of both mesenchymal stem cells and mesenchymal stromal cells and uses ‘MSC’ to indicate mesenchymal stem/stromal cells to account for both designations.

Definitions of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Mesenchymal Stem Cells

• Mesenchymal Stromal Cells – A heterogeneous population of cultured cells with similar characteristics such as the ability to adhere to plastic and the expression of specific marker proteins.
• Mesenchymal Stem Cells – A subpopulation of mesenchymal stromal cells that have the capacity to self-renew and differentiate into mesodermal lineages when cultured in vitro. The capacity to self-renew and differentiate in vivo has yet to be clearly demonstrated for mesenchymal stem cells.

References

• Dominici, M. et al. (2006) Cytotherapy 8:315.
• Keating, A. (2012) Cell Stem Cell 10:709.