Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome Improves Clinical Outcomes and Changes Biomarkers in Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

(1) Background: The current treatment for osteoarthritis is ineffective due to its focus on pain relief and lack of cartilage repair. Viscosupplementation such as hyaluronic acid improves symptoms but remains unnoticed for several months. Researchers are exploring cell-based therapies such as mesenchymal stem cells secretome and mesenchymal stem cells, which can repair cartilage damage. The objective of the research is to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of the secretome derived from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) with hyaluronic acid (HA). (2) Methods: An open-label clinical trial involving 30 knee osteoarthritis patients divided into two groups received UC-MSC secretome and hyaluronic acid doses. The study assessed clinical outcomes using VAS and WOMAC and measured MMP-3 and TGF-β1 levels before and after treatment. (3) Results: A study of 30 subjects found that the UC-MSC secretome group showed a decrease in pain in the OA knee compared to the HA group. The therapy was most effective after the third injection, and the group showed a decrease in the MMP-3 ratio and an increase in TGF-β1 compared to the hyaluronic acid group. (4) Conclusions: UC-MSC secretome intra-articular injections showed superior clinical improvement, biomarker changes, and no side effects compared to hyaluronic acid over a 5-week interval.

Treatment of Equine Tarsus Long Medial Collateral Ligament Desmitis with Allogenic Synovial Membrane Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Enhanced by Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cell-Derived Conditioned Medium: Proof of Concept

“…Additionally, the UC-MSC secretome is characterized by the presence of angiogenic factors, reduced levels of metalloproteinases (MMPs), and elevated synthesis of transforming growth factor β 1 (TGF-β1), chemokines, and anti-inflammatory cytokines, with interleukyn-6 (IL-6) being one of the most secreted. These characteristics suggest that the UC-MSC secretome presents the ability to control inflammatory responses [32,33].…”