Garzón, IngridCarriel, VictorMarín-Fernández, Ana BelénOliveira, Ana CelesteGarrido-Gómez, JuanCampos, AntonioSánchez-Quevedo, María Del CarmenAlaminos, Miguel2013-02-212013-02-212012-12-18Garzón I, Carriel V, Marín-Fernández AB, Oliveira AC, Garrido-Gómez J, Campos A, et al. A combined approach for the assessment of cell viability and cell functionality of human fibrochondrocytes for use in tissue engineering. PLoS ONE. 2012; 7(12):e51961http://hdl.handle.net/10668/780Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't;Temporo-mandibular joint disc disorders are highly prevalent in adult populations. Autologous chondrocyte implantation is a well-established method for the treatment of several chondral defects. However, very few studies have been carried out using human fibrous chondrocytes from the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ). One of the main drawbacks associated to chondrocyte cell culture is the possibility that chondrocyte cells kept in culture tend to de-differentiate and to lose cell viability under in in-vitro conditions. In this work, we have isolated human temporo-mandibular joint fibrochondrocytes (TMJF) from human disc and we have used a highly-sensitive technique to determine cell viability, cell proliferation and gene expression of nine consecutive cell passages to determine the most appropriate cell passage for use in tissue engineering and future clinical use. Our results revealed that the most potentially viable and functional cell passages were P5-P6, in which an adequate equilibrium between cell viability and the capability to synthesize all major extracellular matrix components exists. The combined action of pro-apoptotic (TRAF5, PHLDA1) and anti-apoptotic genes (SON, HTT, FAIM2) may explain the differential cell viability levels that we found in this study. These results suggest that TMJF should be used at P5-P6 for cell therapy protocols.enDisco de la Articulación TemporomandibularCondrocitosTrasplante AutólogoCélulas CultivadasIngeniería de TejidosExpresión GénicaSupervivencia CelularProteínas Reguladoras de la ApoptosisMedical Subject Headings::Anatomy::Stomatognathic System::Temporomandibular Joint::Temporomandibular Joint DiscMedical Subject Headings::Anatomy::Cells::Connective Tissue Cells::ChondrocytesMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Surgical Procedures, Operative::Transplantation::Transplantation, AutologousMedical Subject Headings::Anatomy::Cells::Cells, CulturedMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Investigative Techniques::Culture Techniques::Cell Engineering::Tissue EngineeringMedical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Cell Physiological Phenomena::Cell Physiological Processes::Cell Growth Processes::Cell ProliferationMedical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Genetic Phenomena::Genetic Processes::Gene ExpressionMedical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Cell Physiological Phenomena::Cell Physiological Processes::Cell SurvivalMedical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins::Peptides::Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins::Apoptosis Regulatory Proteinsresearch article23272194open access10.1371/journal.pone.00519611932-6203PMC3525587