Growth Differentiation Factor-6 (GDF-6) Induce Tenogenic Differentiation of Equine Adipose-Derived Mes-enchymal Stem Cells (Eq-Ascs)

Background: Improvement of musculoskeletal differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) (both in vitro and in vivo) is an interesting fields in stem cell research. In order to use stem cells for treatment of orthopedic disorders especially tendon injuries, using different growth factors are recommended. The aim of this study was to evaluate differentiation of eq-ASCs in response to growth differentiation growth factor-6 (GDF-6). Materials and Methods: Characterized and frozen eq-ASCs from 3 horses were thawed and were cultured to passage 4 (P4). Then, P4 cells were subjected to differentiation for a period of 14 days in a culture medium containing the GDF-6 factor (20 ng/ml) as treatment group. In control group, medium was the same as treatment group except inducing factors and GDF-6. After 14 days, tenogenic differentiation was evaluated by H&E and Sirius red staining for the morphological assessment and measurement of collagen production. In addition, the expres-sion of specific genes including sclerosis (Scx), collagen type 1 (ColI α1) and Mohawk were evaluated using qPCR method. Results: H&E staining revealed a stretching and spindle shape (tenocye-like) of cells in the treatment group. Sirius red stain-ing data showed a significant increase in collagen production in treatment group compared with control group. Based on qPCR data, expression of Mkx, Scx and ColI was significantly in-creased in the treatment group compared to control group.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that GDF-6 could induce tenogenic differentiation in eq-ASCs.

کلیدواژه ها:

GDF-6 ، Mesenchymal Stem Cells ، Tenogenic Differ-entiation ، Horse