Pluripotent Embryonic stem (ES) cells have the capability to differentiate to various cell types and may represent an alternative cell source for the treatment of cartilage defects. In the present study, the effects of different intensities and types of magnetic fields (MFs) were tested on chondrocyte differentiation from ES cells. The results indicated that differentiation of ES cells toward the chondrogenic and osteogenic lineage could be enhanced by low MFs exposure of 1 mT. ES cell-derived embryoid bodies (EBs) exposed to MFs showed an increase in chondrogenic nodule areas consisting of chondroprogenitor mesenchymal cells, indicating stimulation towards chondroblasts differentiation. Osteogenic differentiation and mineralization were confirmed by immunofluorescence staining and RT-PCR showing osteoblast specific osteocalcin expression. Findings of this study have potentially important implications for cartilage tissue engineering, since they enable the increase in differentiated cell numbers needed for the development of functional cartilaginous tissue in vitro suitable for implantation.
Key words: Magnetic fields, embryonic stem cells, chondrogenesis, osteogenesis.
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