Methods of evaluating cells and cell cultures

Abstract

Methods of evaluating the composition of a cell culture (e.g., to distinguish chondrocytes from fibroblasts) and methods for evaluating the phenotype of an individual cell (e.g., as a chondrocyte) are disclosed. The methods may be used, for example, for assessing chondrocyte cultures used for treatment of cartilage defects. In some embodiments, the invention involves identifying cell culture composition or the identity of a cell based on expression level of a fibroblast marker. In other embodiments, the invention involves comparing expression levels of at least one chondrocyte marker and at least one fibroblast marker in a cell culture sample or in an individual cell. In illustrative embodiments, the chondrocyte marker is hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 1 (HAPLN1), and the fibroblast marker is microfibrillar associated protein 5 (MFAP5).

1 . A method of evaluating the composition of a cell culture, said method comprising:
 a) obtaining a plurality of cells from a cell culture;   b) determining the average expression level of a fibroblast marker in the plurality of cells, said fibroblast marker being such that its normalized expression levels are lower in chondrocytes than in fibroblasts or synoviocytes; and   c) determining the composition of the culture based on the average expression level of the fibroblast marker,   
       wherein: 1) the cell culture comprises chondrocytes or 2) the fibroblast marker is microfibrillar associated protein 5 (MFAP5). 
     
     
         2 .- 35 . (canceled)