ASC Biosciences

MASCs Differentiate into Cartilage

Jan 12, 2024By Scott Brovsky
Scott Brovsky

ASC Bio's MASCs (Multipotent Adult Stem Cells ) differentiate into many different cell types in vitro. We do this by treating the adherent MASCs with logarithmic doses of dexamethason, from 10-10 M to 10-6 M.  Of course, 0 M dexamethasone is the control  One of the cell types that the MASCs differentiate into is cartilage. However, what is interesting is that we see different morphologies of cartilage. At 10-6 M dexamethasone we see this:

chondrocytes with surrounding fibroblast-like cells
These are chondrocytes with surrounding fibroblast-like cells.

But at 10-9 M dexamethasone, we see this morphology:

These are chondrocytes but appear not to have any surrounding cells.
These are chondrocytes but appear not to have any surrounding cells.

It is possible that these are 2 different types of cartilage. The top could be fibrocartilage while the bottom would be articular chondrocytes. Further development in regrowing cartilage at ASC Bio is ongoing.