Effects of extracellular matrices derived from different cell sources on chondrocyte functions

Cell-derived extracellular matrices (ECMs) are a key factor in regulating cell functions in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The fact that cells are surrounded by their specific ECM in vivo elicits the need to elucidate the effects of ECM derived from different cell sources on cell functions. Here, three types of ECM were prepared by decellularizing cultured chondrocytes, fibroblasts, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and used for chondrocyte culture to compare their effects on chondrocyte adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Chondrocyte adhesion to the chondrocyte-derived ECM was greater than those to the fibroblast- and MSC-derived ECM. Chondrocyte proliferation on the chondrocyte-derived ECM was lower than those on the fibroblast- and MSC-derived ECM. The ECM showed no evident effect on chondrocyte differentiation. The effects of ECM on cell functions depended on the cell source used to prepare the ECM.