Hypoxic conditions during expansion culture prime human mesenchymal stromal precursor cells for chondrogenic differentiation in three-dimensional cultures.

Cell-based approaches using mesenchymal stromal precursor cells (MSCs) for the regeneration of intervertebral discs are attracting increased interest, even though the intervertebral disc is a very demanding environment. Implanted cells eventually face acidic pH, hypoxia, and a lack of nutrients. While the regenerative potential of MSCs for skeletal tissues has been well described, it is still questionable whether human MSCs can be prepared for prolonged survival and proper functioning and whether they can differentiate under the adverse conditions encountered in the disc. Here we examined the influence of hypoxia during expansion and differentiation on the chondrogenesis of MSCs. Chondrogenic differentiation was performed in in situ solidifying gelatin hydrogels, which represent a suitable matrix for delivering and anchoring cells within the disc tissue. To consider limitations in nutrition in the intervertebral disc, differentiation was performed at low cell concentrations in the gelatin hydrogels. Stand...