Investigation and Comparison of the Effect of TGF-β3, kartogenin and Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables on the In-vitro and In-vivo Chondrogenesis of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells on Fibrin Scaffold

Due to the lack of suitable therapeutic approaches to cartilage defect, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of Transforming growth factor-β3 (TGF-β3), avocado/soybean (ASU) and Kartogenin (KGN) on chondrogenic differentiation in human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) on fibrin scaffold. hADSCs seeded in fibrin scaffold and cultured in chondrogenic media. These cells were divided into 4 groups (control, TGF-β3, ASU and KGN). Cell viability was estimated by MTT assay. Differentiated cells were evaluated by histological and immunohistochemical (IHC) techniques. Expression genes [sex determining region Y-box 9 (SOX9), Aggrecan (AGG), type II collagen (Coll II) and type X collagen (Coll X)] were assessed by real-time PCR. For a study on an animal model, differentiated cells in fibrin scaffolds were subcutaneously transplanted in rats. Histological and immunohistochemistry were done in the animal model. The results of the real-time PCR indicated that SOX9, AGG and Col II genes expression in TGF-β3, KGN and ASU groups were significantly higher (p < 0.01) compared to the control group, Col X gene expression only in the TGF-β3 group was significantly higher (p < 0.01) compared to the control group. The glycosaminoglycan (GAG) deposition was higher in TGF-β3, KGN and ASU groups compared to the control group. The immunohistological analysis showed the distribution of collagen type X in the extracellular matrix in the fibrin scaffold TGF-β3 group was significantly higher in control, KGN and ASU groups, and (p < 0.001). ASU, particularly KGN, was suitable for successful chondrogenic differentiation of hADSCs and a suppressor of the consequent hypertrophy.