Simulated microgravity using a rotary cell culture system promotes chondrogenesis of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells via the p38 MAPK pathway
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026
Chondrogenic Differentiation Induction of Adipose-derived Stem Cells by Centrifugal Gravity
Published on: February 24, 2017
1Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implants, Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai 200011, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multi-potent, and the chondrogenesis of MSCs is affected by mechanical stimulation. The aim of this study was to investigate, using a rotary cell culture system (RCCS) bioreactor, the effects of microgravity on the chondrogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived MSCs (ADSCs), which were cultured in pellets with or without the chondrogenic growth factor TGF-β1. In addition, we evaluated the role of the p38 MAPK pathway in this process. The real-time PCR and histological results show that microgravity has a synergistic effect on chondrogenesis with TGF-β1. The p38 MAPK pathway was activated by TGF-β1 alone and was further stimulated by microgravity. Inhibition of p38 activity with SB203580 suppressed chondrocyte-specific gene expression and matrix production. These findings suggest that the p38 MAPK signal acts as an essential mediator in the microgravity-induced chondrogenesis of ADSCs.
