MARKERS OF MATRIX GENE EXPRESSION AND CELLULAR DIFFERENTIATION IN CHONDROCYTES

摘要

The invention relates generally to the field of tissue engineering. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for identifying a population of cells suitable for the repair of connective tissue, including cartilage. The invention further provides methods and compositions related to the generation of a population of cells suitable for the repair of cartilage, in particular in the repair of cartilage degeneration associated with osteoarthritis. Methods of using said cells thus identified or thus generated, in methods to extend the period of cell manipulation, i.e. to increase the yield of cells suitable in the aforementioned methods, are also provided by the present invention.