Primitive neuroectodermal tumor of cerebrum with adipose tissue

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) of the central nervous system are uncommon embryonal neoplasms, rarely occurring in adults. Differentiation into specific mesenchymal tissues, such as cartilage, bone, skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, or adipose tissue, is rare. We report a case of a 51-year-old woman with a PNET of cerebrum that showed extensive mature adipose tissue differentiation. This is the second case, to our knowledge, of PNET of cerebrum with adipose tissue elements that has been described.     

脱钙骨基质与骨髓间充质干细胞共培养关节腔内的成软骨活性

背景：将骨髓间充质干细胞附着到支架材料上再植入关节软骨缺损处,细胞不但不消失,而且可形成新的软骨。 目的：观察同种异体脱钙骨基质与骨髓间充质干细胞共培养在关节内的成软骨活性。 方法：在54只青紫蓝兔单侧膝关节制作关节软骨全层缺损模型,随机分组：实验组在缺损处植入自体骨髓间充质干细胞与同种异体脱钙骨基质复合物,对照组缺损处仅植入同种异体脱钙骨基质,空白对照组未植入任何物质。 结果与结论：植入后12周,实验组缺损处修复组织呈软骨样,表面光滑平坦,与周围软骨整合的软骨细胞更为成熟,修复组织与软骨下骨结合牢固;修复组织的细胞为透明软骨样细胞,柱状排列,Ⅱ型胶原染色阳性,与周围软骨及软骨下骨整合良好,且实验组组织学评分优于对照组和空白对照组 (P < 0.01)。对照组缺损处修复组织呈纤维样,与周围软骨未结合,空白对照组缺损区无修复组织,两组均无Ⅱ型胶原染色阳性表达。表明同种异体脱钙骨基质与骨髓间充质干细胞共培养后植入膝关节可形成软骨样组织,有效修复关节软骨缺损。     

Superficial mesenchymal tumours expressing epithelial markers on immunohistochemistry: Diagnostic clues and pitfalls

The diagnosis of mesenchymal neoplasms arising in the superficial soft tissue can be challenging as some entities are rare and show overlapping features. Moreover, the spectrum of mesenchymal tumours has expanded recently to include potential new entities, some of which have been described after the 5th edition of the World Health Organisation (WHO) classification of soft tissue and bone tumours published in 2020. In the skin and superficial soft tissue, tumours of epidermal, melanocytic and appendageal origin are more commonly encountered than mesenchymal neoplasms. However, specific entities from the latter category can occasionally express epithelial markers on immunohistochemistry, some of them in a strong and diffuse manner. It is therefore crucial to be aware of diagnostic pitfalls when encountering cytokeratin positivity in superficial soft tissue neoplasms. This article provides an overview on the differential diagnosis of these mesenchymal tumours that can sporadically occur also in the skin, including myoepithelial neoplasms, epithelioid sarcoma, keratin positive giant cell tumour of soft tissue / xanthogranulomatous epithelial tumour, superficial CD34-positive fibroblastic tumour / PRDM10-rearranged soft tissue tumour, and perineurioma.     

Adenomyolipoma of the uterus: a case report

Adenomyolipoma of the uterus is a rare, benign, polypoid lesion considered to be of hamartomatous origin or represent an unusual type of benign Müllerian mixed tumour with a heterologous element. The authors present a case of uterine adenomyolipoma and discuss its pathogenesis. A 62-year-old woman complained of lower abdominal pain and postmenopausal bleeding. Imaging techniques revealed a solid ovarian mass and a polypoid intrauterine lesion. The frozen section diagnosis of the ovarian mass was a thecoma. A total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were performed. On gross examination a pedunculated, polypoid lesion of 7x4.5x3cm was found in the uterine cavity. Microscopically, the polypoid lesion contained both epithelial and mesenchymal elements. The epithelial elements were endometrial glands of various size, formed by proliferative endometrial cells. The mesenchymal elements were composed of endometrial stroma, smooth muscle and mature adipocytes. Both the epithelial and the mesenchymal elements showed a benign appearance, were intermingled with each other and periglandular stromal condensation was absent. The lesion had an irregular surface. Microscopic diagnosis was an adenomyolipoma. The peculiar shape and microscopic features of this lesion suggested that it was a variant of benign Müllerian mixed tumour.     

Focal divergent chondrosarcomatous differentiation in a primary pleomorphic liposarcoma and expression of transforming growth factor beta

A rare case of primary pleomorphic liposarcoma of the thigh with a myxoid component, in which divergent differentiation to a well-differentiated chondrosarcoma was focally present, is described. Presence of heterologous elements has mainly been recognized in the context of dedifferentiated liposarcomas. Few cases of benign mesenchymal tissue have also been reported in well-differentiated and myxoid liposarcomas, while divergent sarcomatous differentiation in liposarcomas appears to be also rare in the absence of dedifferentiation. Positive immunostaining of transforming growth factor-beta, which seems to play a role in the formation of bone and cartilage, was demonstrated in our case. Review of the existing literature on the subject has been carried out.     

Diagnostic lessons of mucosal melanoma with osteocartilaginous differentiation

Aims : To document the clinical, morphological and immunohistochemical features of two cases of primary mucosal melanoma with osteocartilaginous differentiation.  

Materials and methods

Two cases of mucosal melanoma with cartilage and bone formation are reported, one arising in the vagina of a 79-year-old woman and one in the oral cavity of a 67-year-old man. The vaginal melanoma exhibited only cartilaginous differentiation. The oral cavity mucosal melanoma exhibited both bone and cartilage formation and was remarkable for its multifocality, long history not associated with metastases and its lengthy manifestation of dual morphologies: some of the tumours were typical in situ/invasive melanotic melanomas whilst the others were composed of amelanotic spindle and epithelioid cells with osteocartilaginous tissue. One of the lesions exhibited in situ and invasive melanoma with transition to an osteogenic tumour in places. The patient also developed non-osteogenic malignant melanomas in the nasal cavity and nasopharynx.  

Conclusions

Malignant melanomas showing foci of osteocartilaginous differentiation are extremely rare with only 18 cases reported. Primary mucosal malignant melanomas of vagina and oral cavity showing osteocartilaginous differentiation have not previously been documented. Primary vaginal melanoma with cartilaginous differentiation must be distinguished from primary malignant mixed Müllerian tumour whilst malignant change in a pleomorphic adenoma, sarcomatoid carcinoma, osteogenic sarcoma and mesenchymal chondrosarcoma are included in the differential diagnosis of primary oral mucosal melanomas with osteocartilaginous differentiation. In this context, immunohistochemistry using antibodies to cytokeratin, S100 protein and MIC2 is of value.     

Parosteal lipoma of the thigh with cartilaginous and osseous differentiation: an osteochondrolipoma

Lipomas are very common benign soft tissue neoplasms. They are usually slow-growing and may occur anywhere in the body. Mature cartilage and bone arising in a lipoma is a rare event and is mostly associated with a parosteal localization of the neoplasm. We describe a new case of osteochondrolipoma showing not only major adipocytic differentiation but also areas of fibrocytic and cartilaginous cell differentiation and bone formation (both endochondral and membranous). The occurrence of at least 4 distinct directions of mesenchymal cell differentiation within a benign neoplasia underlines the concept of multilineage differentiation of pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells. Such a multidirectional potential was recently well established in vitro in stem cells present in adult adipocytic tissue.     

Enhancement of subchondral bone quality by alendronate administration for the reduction of cartilage degeneration in the early phase of experimental osteoarthritis

To evaluate the effects of alendronate (ALN) on the subchondral bone quality and cartilage degeneration in the early phase of experimental model of osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament transaction (ACLT). Thirty male adult healthy Japanese white rabbits after right ACLT or sham operation were divided into three groups (n = 10 per group): Sham; ACLT + ALN [after ACLT, the rabbits were treated with ALN daily starting from 4 days after surgery (10 μg/kg/d subcutaneously)]; and ACLT + NS group (after ACLT, the rabbits were injected saline as a placebo). At 60 days postsurgery, specimens from the affected knees were harvested. Histological analysis (HE and Safranin-O staining) as well as Mankin score were carried out to assess the cartilage degradation. BMP-2 and MMP-13 immunohistochemistry were also performed to demonstrate the alterations of cartilage molecular metabolism. Subchondral bone quality was evaluated by bone mineral density (BMD) and microstructure histomorphometry assay. For bone mineral density evaluation, 1/4 distal femurs, medial and lateral regions of femoral condylus were scanned with dual X-ray absorptiometry to assess the subchondral bone mass. Giemsa, von Kossa stain, and fluorescence technique for undecalcified bone section were carried out to examine the morphometry of the subchondral trabecular bone and subchondral plate. Histological and Mankin score analyses displayed that ALN treatment markedly reduced cartilage lesions and delayed the cartilage degeneration in OA joints. Immunohistochemistry assay further indicated that this cartilage-protective role of ALN was associated with elevating BMP-2 while inhibiting MMP-13 expression. BMD assessment demonstrated that ALN treatment significantly suppressed subchondral bone resorption. The results from histomorphometry assay of subchondral bone revealed that ALN treatment markedly increased the percent trabecular area (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and trabecular number (Tb.N). Moreover, both thickness and the porosity of the subchondral plate in ACLT + ALN group presented significantly higher than that in ACLT + NS group, while no significant difference was found between ACLT + ALN and Sham group. ALN plays an important role in cartilage protection in OA joints that is associated with the improvement of subchondral bone quality through reduction of subchondral bone resorption. ALN could be potentially used as a disease-modifying strategy to limit the progression of OA.     

Chondrogenic differentiation of rat MSCs on porous scaffolds of silk fibroin/chitosan blends

Adult bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells are undifferentiated, multipotential cells and have the potential to differentiate into multiple lineages like bone, cartilage or fat. In this study, polyelectrolyte complex silk fibroin/chitosan blended porous scaffolds were fabricated and examined for its ability to support in vitro chondrogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells. Silk fibroin matrices provide suitable substrate for cell attachment and proliferation while chitosan are promising biomaterial for cartilage repair due to it’s structurally resemblance with glycosaminoglycans. We compared the formation of cartilaginous tissue in the silk fibroin/chitosan blended scaffolds with rat mesenchymal stem cells and cultured in vitro for 3 weeks. Additionally, pure silk fibroin scaffolds of non-mulberry silkworm, Antheraea mylitta and mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori were also utilized for comparative studies. The constructs were analyzed for cell attachment, proliferation, differentiation, histological and immunohistochemical evaluations. Silk fibroin/chitosan blended scaffolds supported the cell attachment and proliferation as indicated by SEM observation, Confocal microscopy and metabolic activities. Alcian Blue and Safranin O histochemistry and expression of collagen II indicated the maintenance of chondrogenic phenotype in the constructs after 3 weeks of culture. Glycosaminoglycans and collagen accumulated in all the scaffolds and was highest in silk fibroin/chitosan blended scaffolds and pure silk fibroin scaffolds of A. mylitta. Chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs in the silk fibroin/chitosan and pure silk fibroin scaffolds was evident by real-time PCR analysis for cartilage-specific ECM gene markers. The results represent silk fibroin/chitosan blended 3D scaffolds as suitable scaffold for mesenchymal stem cells-based cartilage repair.     

组织工程化软骨细胞和骨髓间充质干细胞用于修复同种异体关节软骨缺损

背景：关节软骨几乎没有自身修复的能力,目前临床大多采用自体或异体软骨移植修复、软骨膜或骨膜移植修复、软骨细胞移植修复。由于自体软骨来源有限,异体软骨又存在慢性免疫排斥反应,最终可能导致预后不佳;软骨膜或骨膜移植修复的软骨易于退化,导致修复效果不佳。 目的：总结组织工程化软骨细胞、骨髓间充质干细胞及两者共培养对同种异体软骨缺损修复作用的研究现状。 方法：应用计算机检索PubMed 数据库及中国期刊网全文数据库1994-01/2012-01有关组织工程化软骨细胞和骨髓间充质干细胞用于修复同种异体关节软骨缺损方面的文章,英文检索词为“cartilage defect,allograft,chondrocyte,mesenchymal stem cells,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells”,中文检索词为“软骨缺损,同种异体移植,软骨细胞,骨髓间充质干细胞”。排除重复性及非中英文语种研究,共保留35篇文献进行综述。 结果与结论：随着体外细胞培养方法的不断改进,现已能够把软骨细胞从坚韧的软骨中分离出来,并获得大量高纯度的软骨细胞并繁殖出新生软骨细胞。软骨细胞培养增殖能力低,传代培养容易引起老化和去分化;而成体骨髓中骨髓间充质干细胞含量少,随传代次数的增多成软骨潜能明显降低。骨髓间充质干细胞和软骨细胞共培养,两种细胞相互促进增殖和分化,作为种子细胞可减少软骨细胞增殖传代次数并节省软骨细胞数量,与组织工程支架材料复合能有效修复关节软骨缺损。     

Repair of osteochondral defects with biodegradable hydrogel composites encapsulating marrow mesenchymal stem cells in a rabbit model

This work investigated the delivery of marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), with or without the growth factor transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), from biodegradable hydrogel composites on the repair of osteochondral defects in a rabbit model. Three formulations of oligo(poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate) (OPF) hydrogel composites containing gelatin microparticles (GMPs) and MSCs were implanted in osteochondral defects, including (i) OPF/GMP hydrogel composites; (ii) OPF/GMP hydrogel composites encapsulating MSCs; and (iii) OPF hydrogel composites containing TGF-β1-loaded GMPs and MSCs. At 12 weeks, the quality of new tissue formed in chondral and subchondral regions of defects was evaluated based on subjective and quantitative histological analysis. OPF hydrogel composites were partially degraded and the defects were filled with newly formed tissue at 12 weeks with no sign of persistent inflammation. With the implantation of scaffolds alone, newly formed chondral tissue had an appearance of hyaline cartilage with zonal organization and intense staining for glycosaminoglycans, while in the subchondral region hypertrophic cartilage with some extent of bone formation was often observed. The addition of MSCs, especially with TGF-β1-loaded GMPs, facilitated subchondral bone formation, as evidenced by more trabecular bone appearance. However, the delivery of MSCs with or without TGF-β1 at the dosage investigated did not improve cartilage morphology. While OPF-based hydrogel composites supported osteochondral tissue generation, further investigations are necessary to elucidate the effects of MSC seeding density and differentiation stage on new tissue formation and regeneration.     

Mature teratoma of the placenta

A rare case of a mature teratoma of the placenta is reported. The tumor lay between the amnion and the chorlon and contained skin and its appendages, bone, cartilage, fat and ganglia, without organization. There was no evidence of a recognizable umbilical cord. We concluded that the tumor was a mature teratoma of the placenta. The distinction between a teratoma and a fetus acardius amorphus, and the possible origin of the tumor in this site, are discussed with a brief review of the literature.     

Reconstruction of cartilage,bone, and hematopoietic microenvironment with demineralized bone matrix and bone marrow cells

Highly specialized hard tissues, such as cartilage, bone, and stromal microenvironment supporting hematopoiesis, originate from a common type of mesenchymal progenitor cell (MPC). We hypothesized that MPCs present in bone marrow cell suspension and demineralized bone matrix (DBM) that possess natural conductive and inductive features might constitute a unit containing all the essential elements for purposive bone and cartilage induction. Using a rodent preclinical model, we found that implantation of a composite comprising DBM and MPCs into A) a damaged area of a joint; B) an ablated bone marrow cavity, and C) a calvarial defect resulted in the generation of A) a new osteochondral complex comprising articular cartilage and subchondral bone; B) trabecular bone and stromal microenvironment supporting hematopoiesis, and C) flat bone, respectively. The new tissue formation followed differentiation pathways controlled by site-specific physiological conditions, thus developing tissues that precisely met local demands.     

Mesenchymal hamartoma of the chest wall in an infant

Mesenchymal hamartoma of the chest wall is a very rare, benign tumour with distinct clinical, radiological and histopathologic characteristics. The lesion develops during foetal life, and is present at or shortly after birth with an extrapleural mass arising from the rib cage with or without respiratory distress and marked rib deformity. Several imaging techniques have been used for diagnosis, but a definitive diagnosis is established only by histopathological examination. Such lesions are composed of a varying admixture of hyaline cartilage that has features resembling growth plate cartilage, along with fascicles of spindle cells, woven bone and hemorrhagic cysts. Accurate diagnosis of mesenchymal hamartoma is important since many chest wall masses in children are malignant. We report a case of mesenchymal hamartoma of the left posterior chest wall surgically resected in an infant who was found to have a palpable mass at birth. Two years after surgery, the patient is alive and well, with no evidence of recurrence.     

Chondroid lipoma of the parotid gland

The presence of a parotid tumour containing cartilage immediately invokes a diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma. However, the case we wish to highlight is a rare primary parotid neoplasm composed of both immature and mature fat and cartilaginous-looking areas conforming histologically to a chondroid lipoma.This lesion is a well-circumscribed, lobulated tumour composed of mature fat, mono- and multi-vacuolated lipoblastic-like cells suspended in a chondromyxoid matrix, simulating a cartilaginous tumour. There is no cytological atypical thus separating it from malignant fat and cartilaginous tumours. Chondroid lipomas do not show epithelial differentiation and exhibit only focal cytokeratin immunoexpression, thereby allowing for separation from pleomorphic adenoma and myoepithelioma.     

Chondrogenesis and Integration of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Within an <Emphasis Type="Italic">In</Emphasis> <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitro</Emphasis> Cartilage Defect Repair Model

Integration of repair tissue is a key indicator of the long-term success of cell-based therapies for cartilage repair. The objective of this study was to compare the in vitro chondrogenic differentiation and integration of agarose hydrogels seeded with either chondrocytes or bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in defects created in cartilage explants. Chondrocytes and MSCs were isolated from porcine donors, suspended in 2% agarose and then injected into cylindrical defects within the explants. These constructs were maintained in a chemically defined medium supplemented with 10 ng/mL of TGF-β3. Cartilage integration was assessed by histology and mechanical push-out tests. After 6 weeks in culture, chondrocyte-seeded constructs demonstrated a higher integration strength (64.4 ± 8.3 kPa) compared to MSC-seeded constructs (22.7 ± 5.9 kPa). Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) (1.27 ± 0.3 vs. 0.19 ± 0.03 kPa) and collagen (0.31 ± 0.08 vs. 0.09 ± 0.01 kPa) accumulation in chondrocyte-seeded constructs was greater than that measured in the MSC-seeded group. The GAG, collagen, and DNA content of both chondrocyte- and MSC-seeded hydrogels cultured in cartilage explants was significantly lower than control constructs cultured in free swelling conditions. The results of this study suggest that the explant model may constitute a more rigorous in vitro test to assess MSC therapies for cartilage defect repair.     

间充质干细胞源性外泌体在骨科疾病治疗中的作用与应用前景

文题释义：外泌体：是30-150 nm的细胞外囊泡,因其包含有大量的蛋白分子、DNA、RNA、mRNA 及 microRNA等,能够通过细胞间的传递发挥重要作用。多种细胞在正常及病理状态下均可分泌外泌体。外泌体的功能取决于其所来源的细胞类型,可参与到机体免疫应答、细胞迁移、细胞分化、肿瘤侵袭等多个方面。间充质干细胞：是干细胞家族的重要成员,来源于发育早期的中胚层,属于多能干细胞,以骨髓中含量最多,因其具有多向分化潜能、造血支持和促进干细胞植入、免疫调控和自我复制等特点而日益受到人们的关注。   摘要背景：间充质干细胞源性外泌体具有多种与间充质干细胞相似的生物学功能。近年来大量研究证实干细胞源性外泌体可在诸如心肌、肝脏、皮肤等损伤修复中发挥重要作用,有望成为新的疾病诊疗方法,但其在骨科领域应用相对较少,值得深入研究和探索。 目的：综述间充质干细胞源性外泌体用于骨及软组织损伤修复的最新研究成果及治疗进展。 方法：以“间充质干细胞,外泌体,骨,软骨,椎间盘,关节炎,神经,肌腱”为中文检索词,检索中国知网数据库,以“mesenchymal stem cells,exosomes,bone cartilage,arthritis, intervertebral disc,tendon,nerve”为英文检索词,检索PubMed数据库,检索语种为中文和英文,共检索文献388篇,依据纳入和排除标准,最终纳入相关文献50篇。结果与结论：①间充质干细胞源性外泌体在一定条件下能够促进软骨细胞和成骨细胞生成,延缓骨关节炎进程;②间充质干细胞源性外泌体通过抗氧化和抗炎作用改善椎间盘退变;③间充质干细胞源性外泌体可通过多种途径促进骨折愈合,是潜在的促骨折愈合生物学材料。 ORCID: 0000-0003-1973-4082(李嘉) 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：干细胞;骨髓干细胞;造血干细胞;脂肪干细胞;肿瘤干细胞;胚胎干细胞;脐带脐血干细胞;干细胞诱导;干细胞分化;组织工程     

Perivaskuläre Tumoren der Haut und des Weichgewebes

Perivascular neoplasms of skin and soft tissues comprise a group of benign and malignant mesenchymal neoplasms showing a perivascular myogenic differentiation. Whereas glomus tumour including its variants represents a clearly defined clinicopathological entity, the whole concept of haemangiopericytoma has been questioned in the last years, and no clear diagnostic criteria are established at the moment. Myopericytomas and myofibromas represent a morphological spectrum of perivascular spindle-shaped lesions. Infantile myofibroma/infantile myofibromatosis and solitary myofibroma of adults are characterized by a biphasic growth of mature, spindled, myofibroblastic cells and smaller, immature, mesenchymal cells associated with numerous haemangiopericytoma-like vessels. Benign and rare malignant myopericytomas of skin and soft tissues are characterized by a concentric, perivascular growth of plump spindled and round tumour cells staining positively for muscle actin, alpha-smooth muscle actin and more rarely for desmin. PEComas represent an enigmatic family of neoplasms composed of perivascular epithelioid, clear, and spindled tumour cells characterized by a coexpression of melanocytic and myogenic markers.     

Microporous calcium phosphate ceramics as tissue engineering scaffolds for the repair of osteochondral defects: Histological results

Treatment of defects in joint cartilage aims to re-establish normal joint function. In vitro experiments have shown that the application of synthetic scaffolds is a promising alternative to existing therapeutic options. A sheep study was conducted to test the suitability of microporous pure β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) ceramics as tissue engineering scaffolds for the repair of osteochondral defects. Cylindrical plugs of microporous β-TCP (diameter: 7 mm; length: 25 mm; porosity: 43.5 ± 2.4%; pore diameter: ～5 μm) with interconnecting pores were used. Scaffolds were seeded with autologous chondrocytes in vitro and cultured for 4 weeks. A drill hole (diameter 7 mm) was placed in both medial femoral condyles of sheep. For the left knee the defect was filled with a TCP plug and for the right knee the defect was left empty. After 6, 12, 26 and 52 weeks, seven animals from each group were killed and studied. The samples were examined employing histological, histomorphometric and immunohistological methods as well as various imaging techniques (X-ray, microcomputer tomography and scanning electron microscopy). After explantation the cartilage defects were first assessed macroscopically. There were no signs of infection or inflammation. Histological grading scales were used for assessment of bony integration and cartilage repair. An increasing degradation (81% after 52 weeks) of the ceramic with concomitant bone formation was observed. The original structure of cancellous bone was almost completely restored. After 26 and 52 weeks, collagen II-positive hyaline cartilage was detected in several samples. New subchondral bone had formed. The formation of cartilage began at the outer edge and proceeded to the middle. According to the O’Driscoll score, values corresponding to healthy cartilage were not reached after 1 year. Integration of the newly formed cartilage tissue into the surrounding native cartilage was found. The formation of biomechanical stable cartilage began at the edge and progressed towards the centre of the defect. After 1 year this process was still not completed. Microporous β-TCP scaffolds seeded with chondrocytes are suitable for the treatment of osteochondral defects.     

脉冲电磁场与软骨代谢

背景：目前研究已证实外周脉冲电磁场可以促进软骨代谢,但其分子水平机制仍不甚清楚。 目的：探讨脉冲电磁场的物理特性及其在软骨形成方面的作用与机制。 方法：由第一作者应用计算机检索PubMed、中国期刊全文数据库(CNKI)、维普数据库和万方数据库1997年5月至2012年8月有关脉冲电磁场对软骨代谢影响的文献。在标题、摘要、关键词中以“pulsed electromagnetic field(PEMFs),cartilage,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)”或“脉冲电磁场,软骨代谢,软骨细胞,骨基质,骨髓间充质干细胞”为检索词进行检索。排除重复研究或内容较陈旧的文献。 结果与结论：初检得到145篇文献,排除99篇重复研究或内容较陈旧的文献,保留46篇文献进一步分析。结果显示,脉冲电磁场通过诱导骨髓间充质干细胞分化为软骨细胞,促进软骨特异性基质如Ⅱ型胶原及蛋白多糖的合成,从而发挥软骨诱导作用;脉冲电磁场通过促进转化生长因子β2与其他因子的表达,调节软骨细胞生长分化,使临床上永久性修复软骨组织缺损变为可能。