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Fig. 6 | Stem Cell Research & Therapy

Fig. 6

From: Isolation and characterisation of nasoseptal cartilage stem/progenitor cells and their role in the chondrogenic niche

Fig. 6

Proposed mechanism of the support role of CSPCs in the nasoseptal cartilage cell niche. a CDC population comprises DNCs and CSPCs which reside together in the cartilage niche, expressing high levels of BMP2, COL2 and CCND2 and secreting normal hyaline cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM). The crosstalk between the two cell populations may be based on SDF-1: DNCs secrete SDF-1 which induces CSPC differentiation into DNCs, supporting the maintenance of a chondrogenic environment. When b DNCs and c CSPCs are separated and cultured individually, their expression profile and phenotype are altered. c CSPCs alone tend to maintain their progenitor-like phenotype, showing increased expression of CD56/NCAM. These cells are clonogenic and hold multilineage differentiation potential as demonstrated here. b When DNCs are deprived of CSPCs, these will change from a chondrogenic to a fibroblast-like phenotype, expressing high levels of COL1, SDF-1, CD90 and CD73. Consequently, DNCs alone will have decreased chondrogenicity and poor secretion of cartilage ECM. CCND2, cell cycle cyclin D2; BMP2, bone morphogenetic protein 2; COL1A1, type 1 collagen; COL2A1, type 2 collagen; SDF-1, stromal cell-derived factor 1; NCAM, neural cell adhesion molecule. Created using BioRender©

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