Differentiation of adult mesenchymal stem cells into chondrogenic cells using small molecules or microRNA

Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients has been studied as a therapeutic tool for regeneration of damaged cartilage. MSCs have several beneficial effects, including immunomodulatory activity, and release various paracrine factors. Despite their abundant beneficial effects, transplantation of naive MSCs is hampered by heterogeneous populations of differentiated and undifferentiated stem cells. However, transplantation of differentiated MSCs overcomes the problem of transplantation of naive MSCs. Thus, to repair damaged tissue, a therapeutic strategy based on the use of differentiated MSCs is needed to treat RA or OA patients. Here, we summarize methods that can regulate differentiation of MSCs into chondrocytes by small molecules or miRNAs, and suggest the capacity of patient tissue-derived MSCs as a therapeutic strategy for treatment of OA or RA patients.