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Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Toward Implantable Chondroprogenitor Cells

Ekholm, Josefine ; Vukusic, Kristina ; Brantsing, Camilla ; Shaw, Georgina ; Ur Rehman Bhatti, Fazal ; Simonsson, Stina ; Falk, Anna LU orcid ; Murphy, Mary ; Rotter Sopasakis, Victoria and Lindahl, Anders (2025) In Cartilage
Abstract

Background. Post-traumatic chondral and osteochondral lesions can be treated with autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), but the high cost of autologous cell expansion under strict Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulations limits patient access. Stem cell–based advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) offer more cost-effective alternatives, with human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) showing great promise due to their expandability, low immunogenicity, commercialization potential, and fewer ethical concerns. Aim. To develop a protocol to direct iPSC through a mesenchymal stage into chondroprogenitors (iCHOp), resembling autologous chondroprogenitor cells used in ACI. Methods. The derived chondroprogenitor cells were... (More)

Background. Post-traumatic chondral and osteochondral lesions can be treated with autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), but the high cost of autologous cell expansion under strict Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulations limits patient access. Stem cell–based advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) offer more cost-effective alternatives, with human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) showing great promise due to their expandability, low immunogenicity, commercialization potential, and fewer ethical concerns. Aim. To develop a protocol to direct iPSC through a mesenchymal stage into chondroprogenitors (iCHOp), resembling autologous chondroprogenitor cells used in ACI. Methods. The derived chondroprogenitor cells were expanded in monolayer and in 3-dimensional (3D) cultures and subsequently analyzed using transcriptomic profiling via RNA sequencing and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and compared with ACI chondrocytes. Results. Transcriptomic profiling confirmed successful differentiation, with iCHOp showing 83% similarity to ACI chondrocytes. Further 3D culture maturation led to upregulation of chondrogenesis-related genes and activation of cartilage-specific pathways. Histological analysis confirmed extracellular matrix production, including proteoglycans, collagen, and versican. Furthermore, the protocol’s reproducibility was demonstrated using 3 distinct iPSC lines, successfully expanded in both serum-containing and defined serum-free media. Conclusion. Our optimized approach yields iCHOp with phenotypes closely matching ACI chondrocytes, offering a solid foundation for further development and potential clinical applications in cartilage repair.

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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
keywords
ATMP, cartilage, cell therapy, chondrogenic differentiation, iPSC, osteoarthritis
in
Cartilage
publisher
SAGE Publications
external identifiers
  • pmid:40605688
  • scopus:105014530660
ISSN
1947-6035
DOI
10.1177/19476035251351713
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
983782a2-f27f-44e6-a166-e73e5ed46f70
date added to LUP
2025-11-17 10:40:52
date last changed
2025-12-01 11:54:09
@article{983782a2-f27f-44e6-a166-e73e5ed46f70,
  abstract     = {{<p>Background. Post-traumatic chondral and osteochondral lesions can be treated with autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), but the high cost of autologous cell expansion under strict Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulations limits patient access. Stem cell–based advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) offer more cost-effective alternatives, with human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) showing great promise due to their expandability, low immunogenicity, commercialization potential, and fewer ethical concerns. Aim. To develop a protocol to direct iPSC through a mesenchymal stage into chondroprogenitors (iCHOp), resembling autologous chondroprogenitor cells used in ACI. Methods. The derived chondroprogenitor cells were expanded in monolayer and in 3-dimensional (3D) cultures and subsequently analyzed using transcriptomic profiling via RNA sequencing and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and compared with ACI chondrocytes. Results. Transcriptomic profiling confirmed successful differentiation, with iCHOp showing 83% similarity to ACI chondrocytes. Further 3D culture maturation led to upregulation of chondrogenesis-related genes and activation of cartilage-specific pathways. Histological analysis confirmed extracellular matrix production, including proteoglycans, collagen, and versican. Furthermore, the protocol’s reproducibility was demonstrated using 3 distinct iPSC lines, successfully expanded in both serum-containing and defined serum-free media. Conclusion. Our optimized approach yields iCHOp with phenotypes closely matching ACI chondrocytes, offering a solid foundation for further development and potential clinical applications in cartilage repair.</p>}},
  author       = {{Ekholm, Josefine and Vukusic, Kristina and Brantsing, Camilla and Shaw, Georgina and Ur Rehman Bhatti, Fazal and Simonsson, Stina and Falk, Anna and Murphy, Mary and Rotter Sopasakis, Victoria and Lindahl, Anders}},
  issn         = {{1947-6035}},
  keywords     = {{ATMP; cartilage; cell therapy; chondrogenic differentiation; iPSC; osteoarthritis}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{SAGE Publications}},
  series       = {{Cartilage}},
  title        = {{Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Toward Implantable Chondroprogenitor Cells}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/19476035251351713}},
  doi          = {{10.1177/19476035251351713}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}