Sustained release of TGF-β from polysaccharide nanoparticles induces chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells.

Medical treatment of certain diseases and biomedical implants are tending to use delivery systems on the nanoscale basis for biologically active factors including drugs (e. g. antibiotics) or growth factors. Nanoparticles are a useful tool to deliver bioactive substances of different chemical nature directly to the site where it is required in the patient. Here we developed three innovative delivery systems based on different polysaccharides in order to induce a sustained release of TGF-β to mediate chondrogenesis of human mesenchymal stromal cells. We were able to encapsulate the protein into nanoparticles and subsequently release TGF-β from these particles. The protein was still active and was able to induce chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells.