ALK5 transfection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to repair osteoarthritis of knee joint

Abstract

Previous studies have suggested that the transforming growth factor- $$\upbeta $$ receptor ALK5 is crucial for articular chondrogenesis by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Here, the wild-type ALK5 plasmids were mutated by overlapping extended PCR and transfected into bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. The knee joint osteoarthritis mouse model was constructed by cutting off the anterior cruciate ligament and divided into three groups: saline group, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and ALK5-transfected bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells group. HE staining showed that the articular cartilage lesions were more serious of saline group compared with that of mesenchymal stem cell group, and this trend was more pronounced as time goes on. Immunohistochemical staining showed that although the expression level of type II collagen in all three groups down-regulated gradually upon time, its expression in ALK5-transfected bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells group was significantly enhanced compared with the other two groups. Micro-CT also suggested that ALK5 transfection of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells would promote repairing the knee cartilage lesions with arthritis of the mice. Although the osteoarthritis mechanism underlying a variety of factors work together, and the appropriate proportion of ALK5/ALK1 was also emphasized for the treatment of osteoarthritis. This work therefore demonstrated that ALK5 transfection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells could be a promising stem cell therapy for repair of cartilage lesions.