Autologous bone marrow stromal cell transplantation for repair of full-thickness articular cartilage defects in human patellae: two case reports

This study assessed the effectiveness of autologous bone marrow stromal cell transplantation for the repair of full-thickness articular cartilage defects in the patellae of a 26-year-old female and a 44-year-old male. These two patients presented in our clinic because their knee pain prevented them from walking normally. After thorough examination, we concluded that the knee pain was due to the injured articular cartilage and decided to repair the defect with bone marrow stromal cell transplantation. Three weeks before transplantation, bone marrow was aspirated from the iliac crest of each patient. After erythrocytes had been removed by use of dextran, the remaining nucleated cells were placed in culture. When the attached cells reached subconfluence, they were passaged to expand in culture. Adherent cells were subsequently collected, embedded in a collagen gel, transplanted into the articular cartilage defect in the patellae, and covered with autologous periosteum. Six months after transplantation, clinical symptoms (pain and walking ability) had improved significantly and the improvement has remained in effect (5 years and 9 months posttransplantation in one case, and 4 years in the other), and both patients have been satisfied with the outcome. As early as 2 months after transplantation, the defects were covered with tissue that showed slight metachromatic staining. Two years after the first and 1 year after the second transplantation, arthroscopy was performed and the defects were repaired with fibrocartilage. Results indicate autologous bone marrow stromal cell transplantation is an effective approach in promoting the repair of articular cartilage defects.     

Treatment of a full-thickness articular cartilage defect in the femoral condyle of an athlete with autologous bone-marrow stromal cells

OBJECTIVES: Human bone-marrow stromal cells are believed to be multipotent even in adults. This study assessed the effectiveness of autologous bone-marrow stromal cells, which were embedded within a collagen scaffold, to repair a full-thickness articular cartilage defect in the medial femoral condyle of an athlete. PATIENT AND METHODS: A 31-year-old male judo player suffering from pain in the right knee was reviewed. A 20 x 30-mm full-thickness cartilage defect (International Cartilage Repair Society classification (ICRS) grade IV) was revealed in the weight-bearing area of the medial femoral condyle. With the informed consent of the patient, the defect was treated with autologous bone-marrow stromal cells. Bone marrow was aspirated from the iliac crest of the patient 4 weeks before surgery. After removing the erythrocytes, the remaining cells were expanded in culture. Adherent cells were collected and embedded within a collagen gel, which was transferred to the articular cartilage defect in the medial femoral condyle. The implant was covered with an autologous periosteal flap. RESULTS: Seven months after surgery, arthroscopy revealed the defect to be covered with smooth tissues. Histologically, the defect was filled with a hyaline-like type of cartilage tissue which stained positively with Safranin-O. One year after surgery, the clinical symptoms had improved significantly. The patient had reattained his previous activity level and experienced neither pain nor other complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the transplantation of autologous bone-marrow stromal cells can promote the repair of large focal articular cartilage defects in young, active patients.     

Repair of large full‐thickness articular cartilage defects by transplantation of autologous uncultured bone‐marrow‐derived mononuclear cells

The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of autologous uncultured bone marrow‐derived mononuclear cell transplantation in large full‐thickness cartilage regeneration. After fixing with a hinged external fixator, the entire surface of the left tibial plateau was resected and large full‐thickness cartilage defects were formed in 48 rabbits. Animals were divided into four groups: autologous uncultured bone marrow‐derived mononuclear cells with fibrin gel (BMC), autologous uncultured peripheral blood‐derived mononuclear cells with fibrin gel (PBC), fibrin gel alone (GEL), or nothing (CON) transplanted to the articular cavity 7 days after the operation. The rabbits were killed 8 or 12 weeks after the operation. The repair of defects was investigated histologically and scored using a histological and histochemical grading scale that was modified from the International Cartilage Repair Society Visual Histological Assessment Scale. To evaluate the regenerated cartilage, we also morphometrically measured the staining area positive for Safranin‐O or type II collagen and calculated the percentages of the positive staining areas with respect to the regenerated soft tissue area. Histological findings showed that the BMC group had superior cartilage repair compared with the other groups, and that the PBC and CON group showed better cartilage repair than did the GEL group. Histological scores and morphometrical measurements also showed the same results quantitively. The transplantation of autologous uncultured bone marrow‐derived mononuclear cells contributes to articular cartilage repair. The easy and safe method used in this study is potentially viable for clinical application. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:18–26, 2008     

Injectable cultured bone marrow derived mesenchymal cells vs chondrocytes in the treatment of chondral defects of the knee – RCT with 6 years follow-up

Articular cartilage has unique biological and biomechanical characteristics. Damage to this tissue fails to heal spontaneously, leading to progressive arthritis. Cartilage repair techniques have been looked forward to in the treatment of significant cartilage injuries. Cell-based regenerative techniques like the two-staged cultured chondrocytes and single-stage mesenchymal cell transplantation have been tried with varying results and limitations. We study the outcomes of cultured bone marrow derived MSCs in the treatment of articular cartilage defects of the knee in comparison to autologous cultured chondrocyte implantation (ACI). Both cultured MSC and ACI treatment methods resulted in significant improvements in patient reported outcome measures (PROMs). There was no difference in the PROMs, MOCART scores, T21 mapping and dGEMRIC values between the groups. Use of cultured MSCs leads to good clinical outcomes similar to ACI and represents a promising treatment to restore the articular cartilage in the knee.     

Implantation of bone marrow-derived buffy coat can supplement bone marrow stimulation for articular cartilage repair

Objective

Bone marrow stimulation (BMS) has been regarded as a first line procedure for repair of articular cartilage. However, repaired cartilage from BMS is known to be unlike that of hyaline cartilage and its inner endurance is not guaranteed. The reason presumably came from a shortage of cartilage-forming cells in blood clots derived by BMS. In order to increase repairable cellularity, the feasibility of autologous bone marrow-derived buffy coat transplantation in repair of large full-thickness cartilage defects was investigated in this study.

Methods

Rabbits were divided into four groups: the defect remained untreated as a negative control; performance of BMS only (BMS group); BMS followed by supplementation of autologous bone marrow buffy coat (Buffy coat group); transplantation of autologous osteochondral transplantation (AOTS) as a positive control.

Results

Repair of cartilage defects in the Buffy coat group in a rabbit model was more effective than BMS alone and similar to AOTS. Gross findings, histological analysis, histological scoring, immunohistochemistry, and chemical assay demonstrated that supplementation of autologous bone marrow buffy coat after BMS arthroplasty effectively repaired cartilage defects in a rabbit model, and was more effective than BMS arthroplasty alone.

Conclusion

Supplementation of autologous bone marrow-derived buffy coat in cases of BMS could be a useful clinical protocol for cartilage repair.     

Editorial Commentary: Biological Cartilage Repair Technique—An “Effective,Accessible, and Safe” Surgical Solution for an Old Difficult Biological Problem

Achieving good long-term outcomes while treating chondral defects has always been a challenge. Several surgical techniques for regeneration of the articular cartilage have been proposed. Among them, osteochondral autograft transplantation and 2-step procedures such as autologous chondrocyte implantation have provided good results, promoting formation of new hyaline-like cartilage tissue, whereas other techniques such as microfracture result in fibrous cartilage and a less durable repair. Single-stage cell-based procedures are an attractive treatment option given the potential for cost savings and avoiding a second-stage procedure. We believe that 1-stage cartilage repair in the knee with a hyaluronic acid–based scaffold embedded with mesenchymal stem cells sourced from bone marrow aspirate concentrate has a prominent role in treating chondral defects because this is a simple technique that could improve the care of patients and be cost-effective in the near future.     

Repair of large full-thickness articular cartilage defects in the rabbit: the effects of joint distraction and autologous bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal cell transplantation

We produced large full-thickness articular cartilage defects in 33 rabbits in order to evaluate the effect of joint distraction and autologous culture-expanded bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal cell transplantation (ACBMT) at 12 weeks. After fixing the knee on a hinged external fixator, we resected the entire surface of the tibial plateau. We studied three groups: 1) with and without joint distraction; 2) with joint distraction and collagen gel, and 3) with joint distraction and ACBMT and collagen gel. The histological scores were significantly higher in the groups with ACBMT collagen gel (p < 0.05). The area of regenerated soft tissue was smaller in the group allowed to bear weight (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the repair of large defects of cartilage can be enhanced by joint distraction, collagen gel and ACBMT.     

CS/PVA凝胶负载Ad-hTGF-β1转染的BMSCs移植修复兔关节软骨缺损

目的 探讨温敏型CS/PVA凝胶负载Ad-hTGF-β1转染的骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSCs)移植修复兔关节软骨缺损的实验效果.方法 体外分离培养兔BMSCs,在Ad-hTGF-β1转染1周后,用细胞免疫化学方法检测hTGF-β1在细胞内的表达.用24只成年新西兰大白兔制造关节软骨缺损模型,双侧后肢均用于实验,动物模型随机分为4组,各组动物6只.A组:凝胶复合转染BMSCs修复组;B组:凝胶复合未转染BMSCs修复组;C组:凝胶修复组;D组:空白对照组.在术后16周时处死动物取材,通过大体标本和组织学染色观察评价各组修复效果,按照改良Pinoda法评分,对各组修复效果进行统计学分析.结果 免疫组化证实体外培养的BMSCs在Ad-hTGF-β1转染后表达hTGF-β1蛋白,阳性率为85.4%.术后16周取材见凝胶复合转染细胞组关节软骨缺损部位为软骨样组织填充,组织学观察见再生的软骨组织细胞排列及细胞密度与正常软骨相似,Ⅱ型胶原免疫组化阳性,Pineda评分同其它各组相比差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 CS/PVA凝胶作为一种温敏型可注射支架材料,其负载hTGF-β1转染的BMSCs移植可用于兔关节软骨缺损修复.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the experiment effects of rabbit joint articular cartilage defects repaired by thermosensitive CS/PVA composite hydrogel engineered hTGF-β1 transfected bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Methods Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured in vitro. The positive rate of transfection was defected by cell immunohistochemistry methods after Ad-hTGF-β1 transfected for 1 week. Twenty-four adult New Zealand white rabbits with full articular cartilage defects were randomly divided into 4 groups, each group had 6 animals, both hind limbs were used in the experiment. Group A: hydrogel combined with transfected cells; Group B: hydrogel combined with untransfected cells; Group C: hydrogel group; Group D: blank control group. Specimens and histological observation were used to evaluate the repair effect after 16 weeks according to Pineda's score. Results The positive rate of hTGF-β1 expression in BMSCs was about 85.4% after transfection. After 16 weeks the defects of group A were repaired by cartilage-like tissue, the cell arrangement and densities of regenerated cartilage were similar to normal cartilage, type Ⅱ collagen immunohistochemistry were positive. There was a significant difference in Pineda's score compaired with other groups (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion Rabbit articiular cartilage defects could be repaired by CS/PVA hydrogel engineered hTGF-β1-transfected bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.     

Immature porcine knee cartilage lesions show good healing with or without autologous chondrocyte transplantation

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to find out how deep chondral lesions heal in growing animals spontaneously and after autologous chondrocyte transplantation. METHODS: A 6mm deep chondral lesion was created in the knee joints of 57 immature pigs and repaired with autologous chondrocyte transplantation covered with periosteum or muscle fascia, with periosteum only, or left untreated. After 3 and 12 months, the repair tissue was evaluated with International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) macroscopic grading, modified O'Driscoll histological scoring, and staining for collagen type II and hyaluronan, and with toluidine blue and safranin-O staining for glycosaminoglycans. The repair tissue structure was also examined with quantitative polarized light microscopy and indentation analysis of the cartilage stiffness. RESULTS: The ICRS grading indicated nearly normal repair tissue in 65% (10/17) after the autologous chondrocyte transplantation and 86% (7/8) after no repair at 3 months. At 1 year, the repair tissue was nearly normal in all cases in the spontaneous repair group and in 38% (3/8) in the chondrocyte transplantation group. In most cases, the cartilage repair tissue stained intensely for glycosaminoglycans and collagen type II indicating repair tissue with true constituents of articular cartilage. There was a statistical difference in the total histological scores at 3 months (P=0.028) with the best repair in the spontaneous repair group. A marked subchondral bone reaction, staining with toluidine blue and collagen type II, was seen in 65% of all animals. CONCLUSIONS: The spontaneous repair ability of full thickness cartilage defects of immature pigs is significant and periosteum or autologous chondrocytes do not bring any additional benefits to the repair.     

仿生组织工程软骨修复关节软骨损伤的效果及应用超声弹性成像方法检测价值分析

目的体外构建的仿生组织工程软骨修复羊膝关节软骨损伤,通过组织学染色、点压力学分析、超声弹性成像检查来评价修复效果,探讨超声弹性成像方法评估再生软骨质量的可行性。 方法共选用雄性山羊12只,随机分A、B、C三组,A组空白对照组2只,仅做股骨髁负重区直径6 mm全层软骨缺损;B组单纯仿生软骨（ECM）支架修复组4只,在股骨髁负重区软骨缺损处仅植入仿生软骨支架;C组仿生软骨支架复合自体骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）组6只。取自体髂骨骨髓血分离骨髓间充质干细胞培养,细胞浓度达到1×10⁷个/毫升后加入仿生软骨支架中,将构建好的仿生组织工程软骨植入股骨髁软骨缺损中。每组的羊均先在左膝造模,术后3个月再右膝造模,待右膝术后3个月时先行超声弹性成像检查,然后取材行评分,病理染色、糖胺多糖（GAG）含量测定、力学检测分析。 结果3个月和6个月的A组基本无软骨组织修复。在大体评分、病理评分、GAG含量测定、点压力学测试的结果显示C组优于B组（P<0.05）,并且B组与C组中的6月数据均明显优于3个月（P<0.05）。其中C组动物6个月取材发现重建软骨更接近正常软骨组织。修复组织大体形态结果,点压力学测试结果与超声弹性成像检查结果对比基本一致。 结论利用组织工程方法构建仿生软骨可治疗早期软骨损伤,复合自体骨髓间充质干细胞的仿生支架能达到更好的修复效果。软骨损伤经过仿生软骨修复后恢复周期在6个月以上。超声弹性成像检查软骨修复效果可作为术后复查简单快捷有效的方法。     

Repair of articular cartilage defects with cultured chondrocytes on polysulphonic membrane: experimental studies in rabbits

INTRODUCTION: Autologous osteochondral transplantation is one method that can be used to create hyaline or hyaline-like repair in a defect area. The purpose of the present study was to repair full-thickness articular cartilage defects in 9 rabbit knee joints with autologous cultured chondrocytes. METHODS: An articular cartilage defect was created on the patellar groove of the femur. The defect was filled with chondrocytes cultured in vitro and placed into the knee on a polysulphonic membrane. At 8 weeks after the operation, the reparative tissue was analyzed macroscopically and histologically. RESULTS: At 8 weeks after the operation, the surfaces of the reparative tissue were smooth, and the defects were filled with mature hyaline cartilage in 5 cases. In 2 cases, the reparative hyaline cartilage was immature and there was worse integration of grafted tissue into the adjacent normal cartilage. In 2 cases, the surface of the grafted area was irregular, and the reparative tissue was disintegrated and incompletely differentiated. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that transplantation of autologous chondrocytes cultured in vitro and placed into the knee on polysulphonic membrane is effective in repairing an articular cartilage defect.     

Restoration of arthritic cartilage defects using autologous chondrocytes transplantation is superior to cartilage-paste graft in rabbits

This study compared the articular cartilage repair potential of cultured chondrocytes transplantation with bone-cartilage paste-graft in the resurfacing of full-thickness defects without breaching of the subchondral bone plate in rabbit knees. A 5 x 5-mm articular cartilage defect was created in the patellar groove of the femur. Three months following creation, the defect was filled with cultured autologous chondrocytes (group 1) or bone-cartilage paste (group 2). A control group of untreated defects was followed for 1 year. The reparative tissue was analyzed macroscopically, histologically, and by immunohistochemistry 3-12 months post-transplantation. The surfaces of the reparative tissue in group 1 were smooth, and the defects were filled with reparative tissue that resembled hyaline cartilage. The composition of the repair tissue more closely resembled cartilage, as demonstrated by cartilage-specific stains. In contrast, the reparative tissue in group 2 was fibrous and exhibited markers of mesenchymal stem cells and bone formation. Transplantation of cultured chondrocytes into a full-thickness defect in the rabbit generates a biologic substitute tissue that resembles native articular cartilage with living cells capable of synthesizing the surrounding cartilage matrix. In contrast, analysis of the healing response to the paste-graft technique failed to show cartilage-like characteristics. This information may be clinically applicable to direct the use of these treatments in chondral injuries.     

兔自体松质骨颗粒修复关节软骨损伤

目的研究兔自体松质骨颗粒在膝关节软骨损伤处移植后能够诱导软骨组织生成、促进关节软骨损伤修复的现象。方法 12只新西兰大白兔麻醉后在兔的右侧膝关节股骨远端内、外侧髁负重区用电钻分别造成直径、深度均为3 mm的骨软骨缺损创面,取同侧髂骨松质骨,制成直径约为1 mm松质骨颗粒植入股骨内侧髁软骨缺损处,作为实验组,外侧髁软骨缺损不做处理作为对照组。术后12周进行膝关节大体观察、病理切片染色,评估关节软骨损伤的修复情况。结果兔膝关节实验组软骨缺损处被新生软骨填充,软骨面光滑,组织切片染色显示有关节软骨形成。对照组缺损创面仍然凹陷,仅在缺损边缘有少量软骨生长。结论兔自体松质骨颗粒在膝关节软骨损伤处能够诱导软骨生成,促进关节软骨的修复,是一种良好的关节软骨损伤修复方法。     

"双相"组织工程软骨修复兔关节骨软骨缺损

目的探讨“双相”异体骨基质明胶（bonematrixgelatin,BMG）作为组织工程软骨载体,与同体骨髓间充质干细胞（marrowmesenchymalstemcells,MSCs）结合,构建组织工程软骨修复兔关节骨软骨缺损的效果。方法4月龄新西兰兔32只,雌雄不限,体重2～3kg。①体外实验：取5只新西兰兔,处死后取髂骨和四肢骨,制备一侧松质骨,一侧皮质骨的“双相”异体BMG载体,扫描电镜观察。另取新西兰兔18只,抽取骨髓,分离MSCs并诱导成软骨分化;将诱导而来的软骨前体细胞与“双相”BMG载体复合构建组织工程软骨,分别于1、3和5周取材行Masson、PAS染色和扫描电镜观察。②体内实验：将抽取骨髓的18只及余下的9只新西兰兔制成双侧股骨内髁骨软骨缺损模型,将前期制备的组织工程软骨同体植入18只兔的右股骨内髁骨软骨缺损（A组）,左侧缺损移植异体BMG（B组）,其余9只双侧软骨缺损未予处理作为空白对照（C组）,分别于术后1、3和6个月取材,行大体、组织学和Ⅱ型胶原mRNA原位杂交观察,改良Wakitani法评分,比较各组修复效果差异。结果①体外实验：“双相”BMG松质骨面孔隙大小100-800μm,细胞于其中增生,形成富含细胞的软骨层;皮质骨面孔隙大小10～40pm,细胞层状覆盖于其表面,可作为起支撑作用的软骨下骨。②体内实验：A组术后1个月即可重建关节骨软骨缺损;修复软骨在观察期内逐渐变薄,但在6个月内始终保持关节面及软骨下骨结构完整。B、C组未能修复缺损,缺损周边软骨磨损加剧。改良Wakitani评分显示A组在3个时间点的各项评分结果,除6个月软骨厚度外,其它指标均优于B、C组,且差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。Ⅱ型胶原mRNA原位杂交显示,A组缺损区修复组织中细胞阳性染色率明显高于B、C组,且差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论“双相”异体BMG可作为组织工程软骨载体材料,其结合自体MSCs诱导的软骨前体细胞制备的组织工程软骨,可修复兔关节软骨和软骨下骨。     

骨髓基质细胞修复兔关节软骨的实验研究

目的　研究骨髓基质细胞修复兔关节软骨的可行性。方法　取自体骨髓基质细胞体外培养扩增 ,聚乳酸吸附骨髓基质细胞植入兔膝关节软骨负重 (内髁 )和非负重区 (外髁 )缺损内 ,观察 4、 8、 12周后软骨缺损的修复情况 ,并对组织切片评分。结果　 8、 12周后 ,骨髓基质细胞在负重区缺损内可以形成透明软骨 ,组织评分接近正常软骨优于对照 ,非负重区内没有形成透明软骨。结论　骨髓基质细胞可以修复关节软骨缺损 ,摩擦和压应力是成软骨的重要条件。     

不同应力环境对兔骨髓间充质干细胞修复关节软骨缺损的影响

目的探讨不同应力环境对骨髓间充质干细胞(MSCs)修复关节软骨缺损的影响. 方法将日本大耳白兔15只制成髌骨外侧脱位动物模型,平均分成3组,每组5只:即单纯载体脱位组(对照组)、移植物正常应力组及移植物脱位组.对兔MSCs进行分离、培养,以兔MSCs为种子细胞构建自体组织工程移植物修复关节软骨缺损.6周后处死动物,观察修复组织的成分和结构. 结果术后6周,移植物正常应力组修复组织浅层为软骨组织,甲苯胺蓝染色接近正常关节软骨;深层为软骨下骨,与正常关节软骨结构相似.移植物脱位组为骨组织所修复,缺损周围的正常关节软骨变薄,软骨下血管侵入正常关节软骨内,遗留在股骨髁滑车槽内的移植物在滑车槽正常关节软骨表面形成新生类透明软骨组织.单纯载体脱位组为纤维组织修复. 结论 MSCs修复关节软骨缺损,只有在正常应力状态下修复效果最佳;提示维持负重关节正常的应力刺激,对组织工程软骨修复组织的形成和维持必不可少.     

自体骨软骨移植与含富集骨髓干细胞松质骨移植修复兔关节软骨缺损

目的:评价自体骨软骨移植与含富集骨髓干细胞松质骨镶嵌移植两种方法修复全层关节软骨缺损的生物学特征和效果。方法:采用新西兰大白兔制作左右后肢全层软骨缺损模型,分别进行自体骨软骨镶嵌移植、含富集骨髓干细胞松质骨镶嵌移植修复,对照组不作任何修复,每组12只。术后第4、8、12周处死动物取材,分别进行膝关节活动度测定、大体观察、光镜观察与电镜观察。结果:移植实验组在第12周时均能以类透明软骨组织修复缺损,对照组为纤维肉芽组织。形态学检查表明,两种方法均能以类透明软骨组织覆盖缺损,骨软骨移植组无明显免疫排斥现象,随着时间延长,修复高度逐渐增加。骨软骨移植组同含富集骨髓干细胞松质骨镶嵌移植组效果无显著差别。结论:骨软骨移植、含富集骨髓干细胞松质骨镶嵌移植两种方法均能以类透明软骨组织修复全层关节软骨缺损,含富集骨髓干细胞松质骨镶嵌移植更适用于较大面积软骨缺损的修复。     

Effects of a cultured autologous chondrocyte-seeded type II collagen scaffold on the healing of a chondral defect in a canine model.

Using a previously established canine model for repair of articular cartilage defects, this study evaluated the 15-week healing of chondral defects (i.e., to the tidemark) implanted with an autologous articular chondrocyte-seeded type II collagen scaffold that had been cultured in vitro for four weeks prior to implantation. The amount and composition of the reparative tissue were compared to results from our prior studies using the same animal model in which the following groups were analyzed: defects implanted with autologous chondrocyte-seeded collagen scaffolds that had been cultured in vitro for approximately 12 h prior to implantation, defects implanted with autologous chondrocytes alone, and untreated defects. Chondrocytes, isolated from articular cartilage harvested from the left knee joint of six adult canines, were expanded in number in monolayer for three weeks, seeded into porous type II collagen scaffolds, cultured for an additional four weeks in vitro and then implanted into chondral defects in the trochlear groove of the right knee joints. The percentages of specific tissue types filling the defects were evaluated histomorphometrically and certain mechanical properties of the repair tissue were determined. The reparative tissue filled 88+/-6% (mean+/-SEM; range 70-100%) of the cross-sectional area of the original defect, with hyaline cartilage accounting for 42+/-10% (range 7-67%) of defect area. These values were greater than those reported previously for untreated defects and defects implanted with a type II collagen scaffold seeded with autologous chondrocytes within 12 h prior to implantation. Most striking, was the decreased amount of fibrous tissue filling the defects in the current study, 5+/-5% (range 0-26%) as compared to previous treatments. Despite this improvement, indentation testing of the repair tissue formed in this study revealed that the compressive stiffness of the repair tissue was well below (20-fold lower stiffness) that of native articular cartilage.     

不同来源间充质干细胞在膝关节软骨修复中的临床研究进展

近年来由于器官修复干细胞治疗技术的提出,使得不能自身修复的关节软骨成为研究热点之一,间充质干细胞对膝关节软骨修复已表现出明显的治疗优势。学者们临床上初步研究了不同来源的间充质干细胞膝关节软骨修复作用,并通过结合移植、软骨组织工程等技术提高了骨髓、脂肪、滑膜、脐带血等来源干细胞修复人类软骨效果,均取得了较好的临床疗效。不同干细胞来源不同各自会有一定的优缺点。目前临床研究仍处于试验阶段,尚无确切定论何种干细胞及何种技术处理最适合于人类软骨的修复。大规模和或结合新处理技术的临床试验以及远期疗效的验证,需要进一步临床深入研究。     

异体骨基质海绵吸附自体骨髓细胞修复关节软骨的实验研究

在兔股骨髌股关节面上造成软骨缺损,采用同种异体骨基质海绵吸附自体骨髓细胞移植,分期取材.通过肉眼、光镜、电镜观察软骨修复过程中的组织学形态.结果显示骨髓细胞在关节腔内血供差、低氧压及滑液的环境中具有较好的成软骨作用.认为自体骨髓细胞来源充足、易采取,创伤小,无不良并发症,无排斥反应.有可能成为一种修复关节软骨缺损的新途径.