Abstract
Strontium (Sr) ions are widely applied in bone regeneration therapy. However, it remains unclear whether Sr has the capacity for application in cartilage regeneration therapy using adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). Here, we demonstrate that the Sr ions contained in chondrogenic medium (CM) potently enhanced the chondrogenic differentiation of human ADSCs in vitro. Human ADSCs were isolated from the buccal fat pad of a middle-aged woman during oral surgery. ADSCs were then exposed to CM with or without Sr (0.15–15.00 mM) for up to 14 days. CM containing 1.50 mM Sr significantly increased the secretion of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and the mRNA expression of SRY(sex determining region Y)-box 9 and collagen type 2 alpha 1 compared with CM alone and basal medium. There were no obvious increases in adipogenic, osteoblastic, or hypertrophic chondrogenic differentiation markers. The results indicated that Sr was prospective agent to induce the chondrogenic differentiation of ADSCs.
