Comparison of the Chondrogenic Potential of Synovial Membrane-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Prepared Using Different Culture Methods for Temporomandibular Joint Disc Perforation Repair in Rabbits.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the chondrogenic potential of synovial membrane mesenchymal stem cells (SMSCs) under varying culture conditions and their impact on disc defect regeneration. METHODS: SMSCs were isolated from the rabbit synovium by an enzymatic method (E-SMSCs) or explant method (T-SMSCs). Then, SMSCs were cultured with transforming growth factor-β3 (TGFβ3) alone or in combination with bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP2). The expression of chondrogenesis-related markers and the content of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) were tested to evaluate chondrogenesis. Thirty temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discs were harvested from 15 rabbits. A 2 mm defect was created on each of the discs and transplanted with SMSC cell pellets into nude mice subcutaneously to investigate ectopic chondrogenic ability in vivo. RESULTS: Both isolation techniques can achieve successful isolation of SMSCs from the synovium. Higher cellular proliferation was achieved by explant culture. When the induction solution contained only TGFβ3, T-SMSCs expressed more genes related to chondrogenesis and produced more GAGs. E-SMSCs demonstrated enhanced chondrogenic potential both in vitro and in vivo when treated with TGFβ3 and BMP2. CONCLUSION: Both E-SMSCs and T-SMSCs expressed cartilage-specific markers in TGFβ3 medium. E-SMSCs demonstrated enhanced chondrogenic potential after induction with TGF-β3 and BMP2, both in vitro and in vivo.