Mummy Enhances Chondrocyte Proliferation and the Expression of Extracellular Matrix Components in Monolayer and 3D Culture Conditions

Abstract

: To investigate the probable effects of mummy on chondrocyte proliferation and expression of cartilage specific gene. Chondrocytes at the second passage were plated at density of 1×10 6 in monolayer or seeded onto PCL scaffolds. Cells in both conditions were divided into control (received medium) or treated with mummy at concentrations of 500 or 1000 µg mL G 1 for 72 h. The gene expression profile of collagen II, aggrecan, Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP) and Sox-9 was evaluated using real-time RT-PCR. The ability of mummy to enhance the proliferation of chondrocytes was further evaluated using doubling time. Treatment of chondrocytes with 1000 µg mL G 1 of mummy resulted in a significant increase in expression of Sox-9, COMP and aggrecan genes in both monolayer and 3D culture conditions. Compared to the monolayer cultivated cells, expression of genes in seeded chondrocytes on PCL scaffolds was significantly higher. The highest proliferation rate of chondrocytes was found at a concentration of 1000 µg mL G 1 . The preliminary findings of this study revealed that mummy can be a promoting factor for chondrocyte proliferation and ECM synthesis. The use of mummy at 1000 µg mL G 1