ObjectiveTo isolate and culture cartilage derived stem cells from different subtypes of cartilages, and to identify their characteristics. MethodsCartilage derived stem cells were isolated from different subtypes of cartilages (auricle cartilage, articular cartilage, and intervertebral cartilage) by using adhesive method of fibronectin. The expressions of positive surface markers (CD29 and CD90) and negative surface markers (CD34 and CD45) in cartilage derived stem cells were detected via flow cytometry. The single cell colony-forming efficiency of cartilage derived stem cells was determined by clonal formation unit test; the multipotent differentiation capacity was identified by chondrogensis, osteogenesis, and adipogenesis induction. RT-PCR was used to test the expression of osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic genes; and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) served as control. ResultsThree cell populations were successfully isolated from different subtypes of cartilages, which could express CD29 and CD 90 highly, but did not express CD34 and CD45. After 2 weeks of culture, single cartilage derived stem cell could form single cell colony. In addition, cartilage derived stem cells had high chondrogenesis, osteogenesis, and adipogenesis potentials. After osteogenic induction, the expressions of collagen type Ⅰ and collagen type X in articular and intervertebral cartilage stem cells were significantly higher than those in BMSCs (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between auricular cartilage stem cells and BMSCs (P>0.05). The expressions of Aggrecan and collagen type Ⅱ in cartilage derived stem cells after chondrogenic induction were significantly higher than those in BMSCs (P<0.05). While the ability of adipogenic differentiation was lower than that in BMSCs, but no significant difference was found (P>0.05). ConclusionCartilage derived stem cells in different subtypes of cartilages possess typical characteristics of stem cells.