Enhanced miRNA-140 expression of osteoarthritis-affected human chondrocytes cultured in a polymer based three-dimensional (3D) matrix.

Aims: We have evaluated the potential of a three-dimensional (3D) thermoreversible gelation polymer (TGP) matrix in enhancing miRNA 140 expression (a biomarker correlating with homeostasis and cartilage regeneration) during the in vitro expansion of osteoarthritis (OA)-affected human chondrocytes.

Materials And Methods: OA-chondrocytes were cultured in two-dimensional (2D) monolayer followed by culture in 3D-TGP. miRNA 140 expression levels in cell culture supernatant followed by expression in the cell lysate of both 2D and 3D-TGP cultures were analyzed.

Key Findings: The expression of miRNA 140 in cell culture supernatant from the 3D-TGP group was 0.001 to 0.002% that in 2D culture supernatant while in the cell lysate, miRNA 140 expression in the 3D-TGP was nearly 30-fold higher than that of 2D group.

Significance: The 3D-TGP matrix allows enhanced expression of miRNA 140 in OA-affected human chondrocytes in vitro which after necessary validations can be applied in clinical transplantation to significantly improve the outcome.