Journal article
Chondrocyte-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Promote Progenitor Cell Homing and Chondrogenesis
Tissue engineering. Part A
01/12/2026
DOI: 10.1177/19373341251412457
Abstract
Chondrogenesis by chondrogenic progenitor cells (CPCs) has emerged as a promising avenue for articular cartilage regeneration and early-stage treatment of posttraumatic osteoarthritis. The mechanism of chondrogenesis involves the differentiation of CPCs residing in the cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM). CPC chemotaxis to damaged or degenerated cartilage, followed by in situ proliferation, is an essential first step in restoring tissue integrity. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have gained significant attention in regenerative medicine due to their several advantages, such as intercellular communication, minimally invasive administration, and reduced immune rejection. In particular, chondrocyte-derived small extracellular vesicles (CC-sEVs) contain highly and differentially expressed microRNAs that enhanced chondrogenesis in our previous studies. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of CC-sEV on CPC homing and chondrogenic differentiation in both monolayer and three-dimensional (3D) hydrogel culture systems. Treatment with 1 × 10 10 /mL CC-sEV (CC-sEV-H) significantly enhanced CPC chemotaxis and proliferation compared with untreated control. Moreover, reactive oxygen species production involved in cartilage degradation was reduced in CC-sEV. Gene expression analysis revealed that CC-sEV upregulated chondrogenic markers, including SRY-box transcription factor 9, collagen type 2 alpha 1, and aggrecan and downregulated catabolic markers, including a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS5), matrix metalloproteinases 3 (MMP3), and MMP13. In a fibrin/hyaluronate hydrogel culture system, CC-sEV-H was effective in promoting ECM formation via glycosaminoglycan and collagen depositions. Thus, our findings from in vitro experiments revealed that CC-sEVs could significantly attract CPCs and induce chondrogenesis.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Chondrocyte-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Promote Progenitor Cell Homing and Chondrogenesis
- Creators
- Venkateswaran Ganesh - University of IowaRui HeJordon D. TurnerJames A. Martin - University of IowaJaison Marks - University of IowaAliasger K. SalemKyungsup ShinDongrim Seol - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Tissue engineering. Part A
- DOI
- 10.1177/19373341251412457
- ISSN
- 1937-3341
- eISSN
- 1937-335X
- Publisher
- Sage
- Grant note
- Departments of Orthopedics & Rehabilitation and Orthodontics at the University of Iowa
This work was supported by the Departments of Orthopedics & Rehabilitation and Orthodontics at the University of Iowa.
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 01/12/2026
- Academic Unit
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Orthodontics; Research Administration; Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics; Orthopedics and Rehabilitation; Craniofacial Anomalies Research Center; Dental Research; Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
- Record Identifier
- 9985121594502771
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