Ligament-Derived Stem Cells: Identification, Characterisation, and Therapeutic Application

Abstract

Ligament is prone to injury and degeneration and has poor healing potential and, with currently ineffective treatment strategies, stem cell therapies may provide an exciting new treatment option. Ligament-derived stem cell (LDSC) populations have been isolated from a number of different ligament types with the majority of studies focussing on periodontal ligament. To date, only a few studies have investigated LDSC populations in other types of ligament, for example, intra-articular ligaments; however, this now appears to be a developing field. This literature review aims to summarise the current information on nondental LDSCs including in vitro characteristics of LDSCs and their therapeutic potential. The stem cell niche has been shown to be vital for stem cell survival and function in a number of different physiological systems; therefore, the LDSC niche may have an impact on LDSC phenotype. The role of the LDSC niche on LDSC viability and function will be discussed as well as the therapeutic potential of LDSC niche modulation.

Migrating Myofibroblastic Iliotibial Band-Derived Fibroblasts Represent a Promising Cell Source for Ligament Reconstruction

“…To test the presence of progenitor cells in the isolated ITB fibroblast populations, differentiation experiments using chondrogenic, adipogenic, and osteogenic media were performed for at least 4 weeks ( n = 3). The ACL cells were not tested for multipotency since their differentiation capacity has been thoroughly described [55,56,57,58,59,60].…”

Proteomic analysis of synovial fluid identifies periostin as a biomarker for anterior cruciate ligament injury

“…ACL remnants were removed from patients undergoing ACL reconstruction surgery. ACL progenitor cells that have been shown to express stem cell markers 30,31 were isolated as described before 32 . Moreover, we also isolated ACL fibroblasts as described previously 31 with slight modifications.…”

Implementation of Endogenous and Exogenous Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells for Skeletal Tissue Regeneration and Repair

“…Veritably, a set of minimum criteria have been described for the identification of these cells [47]; although, these criteria still need further refinement as some adult cells have been found to be capable of de-differentiating into stem-like cells in culture, further blurring the line between native MSCs and culture inspired MSC-like cells [48,49]. Regardless, however, both native MSCs can be isolated from marrow [32], periosteal bone [33,34], cartilage [35][36][37], fibrocartilage [38,39], adipose tissue [40], tendon [41], ligament [42][43][44], and synovium [45]. MSCs isolated from these different tissues may vary in phenotype, morphology, differentiation, and proliferation capacity, but the consensus is that they all possess similar characteristics to bone marrow derived stromal cells (BM-MSCs), suggesting that MSC populations found across all skeletal tissues share a similar ontogeny [46].…”

“…MSCs can be isolated from marrow [ 32 ], periosteal bone [ 33 , 34 ], cartilage [ 35 , 36 , 37 ], fibrocartilage [ 38 , 39 ], adipose tissue [ 40 ], tendon [ 41 ], ligament [ 42 , 43 , 44 ], and synovium [ 45 ]. MSCs isolated from these different tissues may vary in phenotype, morphology, differentiation, and proliferation capacity, but the consensus is that they all possess similar characteristics to bone marrow derived stromal cells (BM-MSCs), suggesting that MSC populations found across all skeletal tissues share a similar ontogeny [ 46 ].…”