Effects of Growth Factor Combinations TGFβ3, GDF5 and GDF6 on the Matrix Synthesis of Nucleus Pulposus and Nasoseptal Chondrocyte Self-Assembled Microtissues

There has been significant interest in identifying alternative cell sources and growth factor stimulation to improve matrix synthesis for disc repair. Recent work identified nasoseptal chondrocytes (NC) as a possible source with matrix-forming abilities. While various factors such members of the TGFβ superfamily have explored enhance formation, no consensus exists optimum needed induce cells towards discogenic phenotype. This study assessed both nucleus pulposus (NP) NC microtissues different densities (1000, 2500 or 5000 cells/microtissue) stimulated by individual combinations TGFβ3, GDF5, GDF6. Lower result increased sGAG/DNA collagen/DNA levels due higher nutrient availability levels. Our findings suggest that exert differential effects on depending type. NP were found be relatively insensitive types examined isolation combination. Overall, NCs exhibited propensity form extracellular compared cells. In addition, stimulating NC-microtissues GDF5 TGFβ3 alone induced enhanced formation may an appropriate stimulate this type regeneration.