The Effect of Different Frequencies of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields on Cartilage Repair of Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cell–Derived Exosomes in Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Background The intra-articular injection of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes has already been proved to reverse osteoarthritic cartilage degeneration. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) has been found to regulate the biogenic function of MSCs. However, the effect of PEMF on MSC-derived exosomes has not yet been characterized. The aim of this study was to elucidate the regulatory role of different frequencies of PEMF in promoting the osteoarthritic cartilage regeneration of MSC-derived exosomes. Methods The adipose tissue–derived MSCs (AMSCs) were extracted from the epididymal fat of healthy rats and further exposed to the PEMF at 1 mT amplitude and a frequency of 15, 45, and 75 Hz, respectively, in an incubator. The chondrocytes were treated with interlukin-1β (IL-1β) and the regenerative effect of co-culturing with PEMF-exposed AMSC-derived exosomes was assessed via Western blot, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and ELISA assays. A rat model of osteoarthritis was established by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) surgery and received 4 times intra-articular injection of PEMF-exposed AMSC-derived exosomes once a week. After 8 weeks, the knee joint specimens of rats were collected for micro–computed tomography and histologic analyses. Results PEMF-exposed AMSC-derived exosomes could be endocytosed with IL-1β-induced chondrocytes. Compared with the AMSC-derived exosomes alone, the PEMF-exposed AMSC-derived exosomes substantially suppressed the inflammation and extracellular matrix degeneration of IL-1β-induced chondrocytes as shown by higher expression of transcripts and proteins of COL2A1, SOX9, and ACAN and lower expression of MMP13 and caspase-1. Of these, the 75-Hz PEMF presented a more significant inhibitive effect than the 15-Hz and 45-Hz PEMFs. Furthermore, the intra-articular injection of 75-Hz PEMF-exposed exosomes could obviously increase the number of tibial epiphyseal trabeculae, lead to a remarkable decrease in Osteoarthritis Research Society International score, and upregulate the COL2A1 and ACAN protein level of the degenerated cartilage. Conclusion The present study demonstrated that PEMF stimulation could effectively promote the regeneration effects of AMSC-derived exosomes on osteoarthritic cartilage. Compared with other frequency parameters, the PEMF at a frequency of 75 Hz showed a superior positive effect on AMSC-derived exosomes in suppressing the IL-1β-induced chondrocyte inflammation and extracellular matrix catabolism, as well as the osteoarthritic cartilage degeneration.

Immunomodulatory Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

“…It has been shown that adipose MSCs (AMSCs) with multipotentiality give rise to adipocytes, neurocytes, chondrocytes, myocytes, and osteoblasts cell lineages [ 18 , 19 ]. Other reports found that exosomes derived from AMSCs can alleviate the inflammation response to promote wound healing and suppress osteoarthritic cartilage degeneration [ 20 , 21 ]. MSCs restore mucosal immunity and rejuvenate mucosal immunosenescence in the elderly [ 22 ].…”

Deer antler reserve mesenchyme cells with hyaluronan alleviates cartilage damage in a rat model

“…In particular, MSCs from different sources were widely used for cartilage defect repair, including bone marrow MSCs (BMSCs), adipose MSCs (AMSCs), synovial MSCs (SMSCs), umbilical cord blood MSCs (UCMSCs), etc. [9][10][11][12]. MSCs could migrate from the subchondral bone to the damaged cartilage site and differentiate into cartilagelineage and bone-lineage cells [13].…”