[Stem cell characteristics of human fetal articular cartilage-derived cells]

To verify the hypothesis that cells with characteristics similar to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) can be isolated and cultured from human fetal articular cartilage.

Human fetal articular cartilages were harvested from fetuses aborted between 12 and 20 weeks. Cells were grown in monolayer cultures in IMDM medium containing antibiotics, L-glutamine and fetal calf serum. Cells were induced to differentiate into adipocytes, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and neurons. At various time points, parental and passaged cells were subjected to FACS analysis to determine cell phenotype.

We successfully isolated and cultured MSCs from human fetal articular cartilage. These cells had the same morphology, phenotype, and ability to differentiate in vitro as MSCs of bone marrow origin.

This study shows that cells with characteristics of MSCs can be isolated and cultured from human fetal articular cartilage.