A brief very-low oxygen tension regimen is sufficient for the early chondrogenic commitment of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects exerted over chondrogenic commitment of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) by a very low oxygen tension (<1% pO2). Cell morphology, mRNA levels of chondrocyte-specific marker genes and the involvement of p38 MAPK signalling were monitored in human ADSCs under a very low oxygen tension. Cell morphology was significantly changed after two days of hypoxic preconditioning when they...