Fibroblastic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells using connective tissue growth factor

The present study was designed to explore an ex vivo culturing protocol for fibroblastic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) using connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). Fibroblastic differentiation from stem cells is of widespread significance in the engineering of virtually all tissues including tendons, ligaments, periodontal ligament, cranial sutures and as interstitial filler of all organs. The treatment with 100 ng/ml of recombinant human CTGF and 50 mug/ml ascorbic acids on monolayer cultured hMSCs showed significant increases in type I collagen and tenascin-C (Tn-C) contents by 2 and 4 wks. In addition, CTGF-treated hMSCs failed to show osteogenic or chondrogenic differentiation. The present data show that CTGF is an effective induction factor for fibroblastic differentiation of hMSCs. These findings have implications for engineering fibrous tissue by providing the initial evidence of a reproducible protocol for fibroblastic differentiation of hMSCs.