Current Applications of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Cartilage Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Articular cartilage injuries caused by traumatic/mechanical progressive degeneration result in joint pain, swelling, the consequent loss of joint function, and eventually osteoarthritis. Articular tissue possesses a poor ability to regenerate that further complicates the therapeutic approaches. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising alternative treatment. Recently, it has been reported that a wide variety of strategies ranging from merely using cells in the injured area to employ biofunctional substitutes in which cells are harmonizing with scafolding and growth factors to create an engineered cartilage tissue.This chapter reviews the state-of the-art in cartilage tissue engineering focused on tissue engineering approaches designed to recapitulate the native development of cartilage and its tridimensional structure as an osteochondral unit. Since the production of hypertrophied tissue is one of the most critical challenges to overcome in chondral tissue regeneration, here we show new strategies to minimize hypertrophy in cartilage. Finally, the eicacy and safety of diferent treatments of cartilage in current clinical trials will be discussed.While the framework provides new features and beneits concerning the strategies for articular tissue regeneration, this chapter presents a set of tools to improve approaches to orthopedic regenerative medicine based on the use of MSCs.Keywords: MSCs, MSCs-subpopulations, cartilage regeneration, cartilage tissue engineering, hypertrophy © 2017 The Author(s). Licensee InTech. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. IntroductionThe chondrocytes are the only cells found in cartilage. The chondrocytes demonstrate distinctive properties such as being metabolically active in order to maintain the renewal of the extracellular matrix (ECM) by synthesizing collagens, proteoglycans, hyaluronic acid, and glycoproteins. Restoration of the cartilage damage is still challenging for orthopedic medicine due to its poor ability to regenerate [1].Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have potential applications in tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine represents an atractive option for repairing lesions in cartilage. Stem cellbased therapies that harmonize with tissue-engineering technologies, and biomaterials are vital for the continuous advance of cartilage regenerative medicine [2,3].Once the relationship between structure function in normal and damaged tissues is understood and the development of biological substitutes for the repair or regeneration can be reached. To develop a biological substitute, tissue engineering uses scafolds, cells, and growth factors. Each of these elements alone is able to promote tissue regeneration, but composites fabricated in combination would be more efective [4,5].The objective of the present chapter is, therefore, t...

Methods of Modification of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Conditions of Their Culturing for Hyaline Cartilage Tissue Engineering

“…Further evidence for the fact that MSCs plays an active part in the formation of the dynamic microenvironment of cartilage is provided by the data on their ability to synthesize a wide range of ECM molecules, including fibronectin, collagen(s), glycosaminoglycans, and proteoglycans, as well as various cytokines and growth factors involved in cartilage functioning [162].…”

Bioadhesive and Injectable Hydrogels and Their Correlation with Mesenchymal Stem Cells Differentiation for Cartilage Repair: A Mini-Review

“…The aim of the targeted differentiation is to obtain an artificial cartilage tissue with biomechanical properties similar to that of native hyaline cartilage (hyperelastic and dissipative properties, smoothness, toughness, wear resistance, resistance to compressive, tensile, and shear forces). In addition to the MSC differentiation into chondrocytes, the enhancement of the synthesis of the proteins of the hyaline cartilage extracellular matrix including fibronectin, collagens, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, cytokines, and growth factors involved in the functioning of cartilage [81,82] is necessary.…”

Chondrogenic Commitment of Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a Perfused Collagen Hydrogel Functionalized with hTGF-β1-Releasing PLGA Microcarrier

“…Dynamic conditions are an essential component of 3D culture systems [ 20 , 27 , 28 ]. Perfusion upregulates chondrogenic markers [ 29 , 30 ], preserves cartilage phenotype, and preventes the hypertrophy of MSC-derived chondrocytes, which remains a fundamental problem in cell-based strategies [ 31 ]. Furthermore, when micro- and nanocarriers are used for controlled delivery of growth factors, an adequate release is promoted by the dynamic environment, whereas in static conditions, reduced mass transfer can decrease the extent of drug release, impacting scaffold efficacy in driving cell commitment [ 32 ].…”