Functional PLGA scaffolds for chondrogenesis of bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Two chondrogenic factors, Dex and TGF-beta1, were incorporated into PLGA scaffolds and their chondrogenic potential was evaluated. The Dex-loaded PLGA scaffold was grafted with AA and heparin, the heparin-immobilized one was then reacted with TGF-beta1, yielding a PLGA/Dex-TGF (PLGA/D/T) scaffold. The scaffolds were seeded with rabbit MSCs and cultured for 4 weeks. The results show that the scaffolds including chondrogenic factors strongly upregulated the expression of cartilage-specific genes and clearly displayed type-II collagen immunofluorescence. The functionalized PLGA scaffolds could provide an appropriate niche for chondrogenic differentiation of MSC without a constant medium supply of Dex and TGF-beta1.