Periodic injections of adipose-derived stem cell sheets attenuate osteoarthritis progression in an experimental rabbit model

Abstract

Background: Subcutaneous adipose tissue represents an abundant source of multipotent adult stem cells named as Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). With a cell sheet approach, ADSCs survive longer, and can be delivered in large quantities. We investigated whether intra-articular ADSC sheets attenuated osteoarthritis (OA) progression in a rabbit anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) model.Methods: Fabricating medium containing ascorbate-2-phosphate was used to enhance collagen protein secretion by the ADSCs to make ADSC sheets. At 4 weeks after ACLT, autologous ADSC sheets were injected intra-articularly into the right knee (ADSC sheets group), and autologous cell death sheets treated by liquid nitrogen were injected into the left knee (control group). Subsequent injections were administered once weekly. Femoral condyles were compared macroscopically and histologically.Results: Macroscopically, OA progression was significantly milder in the ADSC sheets than in the control groups. Histologically, control knees showed obvious erosions in the medial and lateral condyles, while cartilage was retained predominantly in the ADSC sheets group. Immunohistochemically, MMP-1, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4 were less expressive in the ADSC sheets than in the control groups.Conclusions: Periodic ADSC sheets injections inhibited articular cartilage degeneration without inducing any adverse effects. A large quantity of autologous ADSCs delivered by cell sheets homed to the synovium and protected chondrocytes.

Metformin Ameliorates Senescence of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Attenuates Osteoarthritis Progression via the AMPK-Dependent Autophagy Pathway

“…ADSCs were shown to play an important role in maintaining chondrocyte homeostasis. Stem cells, especially ADSCs, can promote cartilage repair and even regeneration; therefore, they can be used in the treatment of OA [5,7,[42][43][44][45]. Our results were consistent with previous reports.…”

Recent Biomimetic Approaches for Articular Cartilage Tissue Engineering and Their Clinical Applications: Narrative Review of the Literature

“…Takagi et al used a rabbit model to evaluate whether weekly intra-articular injections of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells sheets can prevent the development of osteoarthritis in vivo. In contrast to the control group, the supplied adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells demonstrated protective qualities toward chondrocytes, reducing cartilage degradation and resulting in a slower development of osteoarthritis [28]. In their study, Köhnke et al used an in vivo experiment (rabbit model) to assess the efficacy of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells injection for the treatment of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis in vivo.…”