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Abstract
In this review, we outline seminal and recent work highlighting the potential of mesenchymal
stem cells (MSCs) in producing cartilage-like tissue equivalents. Specific focus is
placed on the mechanical properties of engineered MSC-based cartilage and how these
properties relate to that of engineered cartilage based on primary chondrocytes and
to native tissue properties. We discuss current limitations and/or concerns that must
be addressed for the clinical realization of MSC-based cartilage therapeutics, and
provide some insight into potential underpinnings for the observed deviations from
chondrocyte-based engineered constructs. We posit that these differences reveal specific
deficits in terms of our description of chondrogenesis, and suggest that new benchmarks
must be developed towards this end. Further, we describe the growing body of literature
on the mechanobiology of MSC-based cartilage, highlighting positive findings with
regards to the furtherance of the chondrogenic phenotype. We likewise discuss the
failure of early molecular changes to translate directly into engineered constructs
with improved mechanical properties. Finally, we highlight recent work from our group
and others that may point to new strategies for enhancing the formation of engineered
cartilage based on MSCs.
Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.