Transcriptome-based screening of ion channels and transporters in a migratory chondroprogenitor cell line isolated from late-stage osteoarthritic cartilage

Chondrogenic progenitor cells (CPCs) may be used as an alternative source of cells with potentially superior chondrogenic potential compared to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and could be exploited for future regenerative therapies targeting articular cartilage in degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis. We studied the profiles of those ion channel and transporter families that may be relevant to chondroprogenitor cell physiology using Affymetrix microarrays. Total RNA was isolated from CPC and MSC cell cultures grown in monolayers in 75 cm2 cell culture flasks. Whole-genome transcriptome analysis was conducted by hybridising three biological samples of total RNA per cell type to Affymetrix Human Gene 2.1 ST Arrays Strips. Gene expression data were analysed using Partek Genomics Suite 6.6 software.