A preliminary study comparing the use of allogenic chondrogenic pre‐differentiated and undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells for the repair of full thickness articular cartilage defects in rabbits

Abstract

Chondrogenic differentiated mesenchymal stem cells (CMSCs) have been shown to produce superior chondrogenic expression markers in vitro. However, the use of these cells in vivo has not been fully explored. In this study, in vivo assessment of cartilage repair potential between allogenic-derived chondrogenic pre-differentiated mesenchymal stem cells and undifferentiated MSCs (MSCs) were compared. Bilateral full thickness cartilage defects were created on the medial femoral condyles of 12 rabbits (n ¼ 12). Rabbits were divided into two groups. In one group, the defects in the right knees were repaired using alginate encapsulated MSCs while in the second group, CMSCs were used. The animals were sacrificed and the repaired and control knees were assessed at 3 and 6 months after implantation. Quantitative analysis was performed by measuring the Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)/total protein content. The mean Brittberg score was higher in the transplanted knees as compared to the untreated knee at 6 months (p < 0.05). Quantitative analysis of GAGs was consistent with these results. Histological and immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated hyaline-like cartilage regeneration in the transplanted sites. Significant differences between the histological scores based on O'Driscoll histological grading were observed between contralateral knees at both 3 and 6 months (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the Britberg, O'Driscoll scores, and GAGs/total protein content when comparing defect sites treated with MSC and CMSC (p > 0.05). This study demonstrates that the use of either MSC or CMSC produced superior healing when compared to cartilage defects that were untreated. However, both cells produced comparable treatment outcomes. ß

Enhancing cell migration in shape-memory alginate–collagen composite scaffolds: In vitro and ex vivo assessment for intervertebral disc repair

“…Activation of MSCs towards an AF cell phenotype could be investigated in a co-culture model (67) or by pre-differentiation of pluripotent stem cells prior to transplantation, which has been investigated for articular cartilage regeneration. (68) Seeding cell density is also an important factor that could be investigated, as it directly impacts cell growth and survival, (69) and could consequently increase matrix formation. Nonetheless, the ex vivo IVD culture system described in this study provides an attractive model for screening therapeutic systems intended to treat AF defects prior to large animal trials.…”

The Role of Environmental Factors in Regulating the Development of Cartilaginous Grafts Engineered Using Osteoarthritic Human Infrapatellar Fat Pad–Derived Stem Cells

“…43,44 While the use of MSCs has been shown to improve repair compared with untreated controls, critically normal hyaline cartilage does not regenerate, rather a hyaline-like or fibro-cartilagenous tissue forms. [45][46][47] Chondrogenic predifferentiation of MSCs within collagen gels, leading to improved functionality of the engineered graft prior to implantation, has been shown to improve the outcome in long-term sheep studies, 48 resulting in superior repair compared with undifferentiated MSCs or chondrocytes. 49 While promising, the quality of repair observed in these animal model studies using predifferentiated MSCs is still variable, 48,49 suggesting that engineering a more functional graft may be required prior to implantation.…”

Joint Salvage Techniques for Stage III/IV Hallux Rigidus

“…It is also important to note that current research suggests that we may have additional alternatives to arthrodesis and implants with the advancement of cartilage regeneration. Mesenchymal stem cells could possibly allow for viable cartilage regeneration and repair with positive results in animal models [Dashtdar et al, 2011].…”