Comparison of the efficacy of piascledine and transforming growth factor β1 on chondrogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells in fibrin and fibrin-alginate scaffolds

Objectives The aim of this study was to compare the chondrogenic induction potential of Piascledine and TGF-β1 on adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in fibrin and fibrin-alginate scaffolds. Materials and Methods Human subcutaneous adipose tissues were harvested from three patients who were scheduled to undergo liposuction. Isolated ADSCs were proliferated in a culture medium. Then, the cells were seeded in fibrin or fibrin-alginate scaffolds and cultured for 14 days in a chondrogenic medium containing Piascledine, TGF-β1, or both. The rate of cell proliferation and survival was evaluated by using MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay and the rate of the expression of type II collagen, aggrecan, and type X collagen genes was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) method. Results The MTT results showed that Piascledine is able to enhance the proliferation and survival of ADSCs in fibrin scaffolds in comparison to other groups (P<0.05). Real-time PCR evaluation revealed that the expression of type II collagen was higher in TGF- β1groups, but the expression of aggrecan was higher in TGF-β1 alone or along with Piascledine in fibrin-alginate scaffolds. Furthermore, the expression of type X collagen was lower in Piascledine alone or along with TGF-β1 in fibrin scaffold. Conclusion Piascledine can enhance the proliferation and differentiation of ADSCs in fibrin scaffolds.