New research reports that primary human dermal fibroblasts seeded into a three-dimensional biodegradable matrix can differentiate in vitro into osteoblasts and chondrocytes, and form three-dimensional bone-like and cartilage-like constructs, respectively. Is skeletal tissue engineering from skin biopsy tissue on the horizon?
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$209.00 per year
only $17.42 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Sommar, P. et al. Engineering three-dimensional cartilage- and bone-like tissues using human dermal fibroblasts and macroporous gelatine microcarriers. J. Plast. Reconstr. Aesthet. Surg. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2009.02.072.
Tuan, R. S., Lee, F. Y., Kontinnen, T. Y., Wilkinson, J. M. & Smith, R. L. What are the local and systemic biologic reactions and mediators to wear debris, and what host factors determine or modulate the biological response to wear particles? J. Am. Acad. Orthop. Surg. 16 (Suppl. 1), S42–S48 (2008).
Atala, A., Lanza, R., Thomson, J. A. & Nerem, R. M. (Eds) Principles of Regenerative Medicine. (Academic Press, London, 2008).
Hee, C. K., Jonikas, M. A. & Nicoll, S. B. Influence of three-dimensional scaffold on the expression of osteogenic differentiation markers by human dermal fibroblasts. Biomaterials 27, 875–884 (2006).
Mizuno, S. & Glowacki, J. Three-dimensional composite of demineralized bone powder and collagen for in vitro analysis of chondroinduction of human dermal fibroblasts. Biomaterials 17, 1819–1825 (1996).
Pittenger M. F. et al. Multilineage potential of adult human mesenchymal stem cells. Science 284, 143–147 (1999).
Elisseeff, J., Ferran, A., Hwang, S., Varghese, S. & Zhang, Z. The role of biomaterials in stem cell differentiation: applications in the musculoskeletal system. Stem Cells Dev. 15, 295–303 (2006).
Mauck, R. L., Yuan, X. & Tuan, R. S. Chondrogenic differentiation and functional maturation of bovine mesenchymal stem cells in long-term agarose culture. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 14, 179–189 (2005).
Noth, U., Steinert, A. F. & Tuan, R. S. Technology insight: adult mesenchymal stem cells for osteoarthritis therapy. Nat. Clin. Pract. Rheumatol. 4, 371–380 (2008).
Sherwood, J. K. et al. A three-dimensional osteochondral composite scaffold for articular cartilage repair. Biomaterials 23, 4739–4751 (2002).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Competing interests
The author declares no competing financial interests.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tuan, R. Skin and bones (and cartilage): the dermal fibroblast connection. Nat Rev Rheumatol 5, 471–472 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2009.170
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2009.170