Stem cells derived from osteoarthritic knee mesenchymal tissues: a pilot study

Regenerative medicine is a promising approach for addressing musculoskeletal disorders. Successful implementation of regenerative therapies is based upon existence of reliable, easy accessible cell sources. Mesenchymal tissues removed during total knee replacement (TKR) were investigated as a potential autologous stem cell source. Materials and methods Samples were collected from patients undergoing primary TKR mononuclear cells from adipose and synovial tissue; subchondral trabecular bone and osteoarthritic cartilage were isolated and assessed in terms of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) content. Results MSCs obtained from all the investigated tissue types and from all donors showed proliferative, differentiation and surface markers characteristic of stemness. Important number of MSCs could be obtained in the first passage (P0). Mesenchymal tissues removed during TJR can qualitatively and quantitatively function as autologous MSC sources to be considered for regenerative therapies.