Matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation in a compartmentalized early stage of osteoarthritis

Abstract

s u m m a r yObjective: Cartilage restoration in joints with an early stage of osteoarthritis (OA) is an important clinical challenge. In this study, a compartmentalized, early-stage OA was generated surgically in sheep stifle joints, and this model was used to evaluate a matrix-associated cell transplantation approach for cartilage repair. Method: Eighteen sheep were operated twice. During the first operation, a unicompartmental OA in a stable joint was induced by creating a critical-size defect. The second operation served as a regeneration procedure. The eighteen sheep were divided into three groups. One group was treated with spongialization (SPONGIO), while the two others had spongialization followed by implantation of a hyaluronan matrix with (MACT) or without chondrocytes (MATRIX). The follow-up took place 4 months after the second operation. Gross Assessment of Joint Changes score and Brittberg score were used for the macroscopic evaluation, Mankin score, O'Driscoll score, and immunohistochemistry for collagen type I and type II for histological evaluation. Results: The MACT group achieved significantly better results in both macroscopic and histological examinations. In the regeneration area, a Mankin score of 7.88 (6.20; 9.55) [mean (upper 95% confidence interval; lower 95% confidence interval)] was reached in the MACT group, 10.38 (8.03; 12.72) in the MATRIX group, and 10.33 (8.80; 11.87) in the SPONGIO group. The O'Driscoll score revealed a highly significant difference in the degree of defect repair: 15.92 (14.58; 17.25) for the MACT group compared to the two other groups [5.04 (1.21; 8.87) MATRIX and 6.58 (5.17; 8.00) SPONGIO; P < 0.0001]. Conclusion: This study demonstrates promising results toward the development of a biological regeneration technique for early-stage OA.

Therapeutic effects of neuropeptide substance P coupled with self-assembled peptide nanofibers on the progression of osteoarthritis in a rat model

“…Furthermore, several groups also have used autologous chondrocyte or bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) to avoid allogenic cell transplantation for OA treatment [50][51][52]. However, they have a limit like a slow process and it often leads to insufficient results due to the poor self-renewal and regeneration potentials [53].…”

Intra-articular injection of microRNA-140 (miRNA-140) alleviates osteoarthritis (OA) progression by modulating extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis in rats

“…Intra-articular injection of drugs, such as hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids, as treatments for OA are widely accepted 17 , and intra-articular injection of marrow stem cells (MSCs) or chondrocytes as treatment for OA in animal models have been also described in recent years 18,19 . However, no study has reported on intra-articular injection of miRNA-140 as a treatment for OA.…”

Repair of Articular Cartilage Defects using Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Rabbits

“…Cartilage defects are still a challenging clinical problem because these defects were could not be restored successfully spontaneously leading to biologic regeneration for osteoarthritic joints mainly in young and active peoples due to increase the incidence of wear and tear [13].…”