Novel Bioregenerative Options for Chondrocyte Restoration in Osteoarthritis.

Abstract

Cartilage diseases refer to an umbrella of joint disorders, joint injuries and cartilage tumors that are largely characterized by degenerative chondrocyte changes in joints.Osteoarthritis(OA) is the most common form of chronic cartilage diseases, affecting 250 million people and is the fourth leading cause of disability worldwide. The widely used pharmacological treatments for OA have shown limited benefits, and further studies are required. Stem cells have been proposed as regenerative cell therapy for OA to repair and replace the injured cells and tissues with new ones, due to their potential for self-renewal and differentiation into cartilage-forming chondrocytes and immune-modulating capabilities. A number of preclinical and clinical studies have confirmed the potential for mesenchymal stem cells as a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of OA. In this review, we look at the promising evidence for stem cell use in OA treatment.

The Role of Mitochondria in Cartilage Degenerative Disorders

“…Mitochondrial therapy, especially tissue-specific mitochondrialbased therapy, is becoming an encouraging approach to regenerative medicine. A recently published review demonstrated the growing interest in stem cell-based bioregenerative therapy conducting the regeneration of new chondrocytes [50]. Nalapko et al (2022) state that multiple preclinical and clinical trials proved that MSCs and chondrocyte stem cell-based agents are potentially useful regenerative technologies for patients with osteoarthritis [50].…”

The knee connectome: A novel tool for studying spatiotemporal change in cartilage thickness

“…2 While growing evidence suggests that OA involves a complex pathogenesis of structural changes to the cartilage, bone, ligaments, and muscles, 3,4 articular cartilage changes are the most studied feature of OA progression. 5,6 Early stages of OA are characterized by cartilage changes including increased hydration, proteoglycan loss, and disruption of collagen fibers, while later changes include dehydration and thinning of the cartilage, resulting in denudation of the underlying bone. 7 Cartilage thickness and volume changes measured with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have proven useful in predicting OA progression.…”