Comprehensive analysis of culture conditions governing differentiation of MSCs into articular chondrocytes

Treatment of osteoarthritic patients requires the development of morphologically and mechanically complex hyaline cartilage at the injury site. A tissue engineering approach toward differentiating mesenchymal stem cells into articular chondrocytes has been developed to overcome the drawbacks of conventional therapeutic and surgical procedures. To imitate the native micro and macro environment of articular chondrocytes, cell culture parameters such as oxygen concentration, mechanical stress, scaffold design, and growth factor signalling cascade regulation must be addressed. This review aims to illuminate the path toward developing tissue engineering approaches, accommodating these various parameters and the role these parameters play in regulating chondrogenesis for better articular cartilage development to treat osteoarthritis effectively.