Mesenchymal stem cell-based treatment for cartilage defects in osteoarthritis

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disorder and the restoration of the diseased articular cartilage in patients with OA is still a challenge for researchers and clinicians. Currently, a variety of experimental strategies have investigated whether mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) instead of chondrocytes can be used for the regeneration and maintenance of articular cartilage in OA. MSCs can modulate the immune response of individuals and positively influence the microenvironment of the stem cells already present in the diseased tissue. Through direct cell-cell interaction or the secretion of various factors, MSCs can initiate endogenous regenerative activities in the OA joint. Targeted gene-modified MSC-based therapy might further enhance the cartilage regeneration in OA. Conventionally, delivery of MSCs was attained by graft of engineered constructs derived from cell-seeded scaffolds. However, intra-articular MSCs transplantation without scaffolds is a more attractive option for OA treatment. This article briefly summarizes the current knowledge about MSC-based therapy for prevention or treatment of OA, discussing the direct intra-articular injection of MSCs for the treatment of OA in animal models and in clinical applications, as well as potential future strategies for OA treatment.

Bidirectional and Mutually Beneficial Interactions Between Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Osteoarthritic Chondrocytes in Micromass Co-Cultures

“…In surgically induced OA in sheep, intra-articular injection of MSCs, with and without prechondrogenic differentiation, retarded OA progression and showed improved cartilage organization and quality [15]. Other models including mice [16] and rabbits [17] also showed encouraging results of postponing OA progression [18]. Recently, a few clinical studies transplanting MSCs into human OA knees have reported formation of hyaline-like cartilage and Aim: Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapy presents a promising approach for treating osteoarthritis (OA).…”

Effects of steroids on the morphology and proliferation of canine and equine mesenchymal stem cells of adipose origin — in vitro research

“…Moreover, pain reduction that results from the action of injected cells occurs after a certain period of time, but not immediately. In contrast, the application of steroids provides significant and immediate pain reduction, but this effect wanes after a relatively short time, two to three weeks (Coleman et al, 2010;Qui et al, 2012).…”

One Step Tissue Engineering for Cartilage Reconstruction in Severe Osteoarthritis of the Knee and Ankle: A Comprehensive Review of the Technique Resorting to Isolated BMAC or ADSCS and their Last Combination

“…This provides, at least at medium-term data, remission of pain and swelling, with good functional recovery and the ability to resume previous work activity, as compared to the ACT technique, with the advantage of a single operative step and a significant cost reduction [8,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24].…”