Abstract
Cell-based therapy represents a promising treatment strategy for cartilage defects. Alone or in combination with scaffolds/biological signals, these strategies open many new avenues for cartilage tissue engineering. However, the choice of the optimal cell source is not that straightforward. Currently, various types of differentiated cells (articular and nasal chondrocytes) and stem cells (mesenchymal stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells) are being researched to objectively assess their merits and disadvantages with respect to the ability to repair damaged articular cartilage. In this paper, we focus on the different cell types used in cartilage treatment, first from a biological scientist’s perspective and then from a clinician’s standpoint. We compare and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of these cell types and offer a potential outlook for future research and clinical application.
Highlights
Cartilage is smooth and elastic connective tissue with four major functions: gives shape and support, cushions joints, allows smooth articulation of bones around each other, and enables the growth of long bones
Natural polymers used for cartilage repair are chitosan, agarose, collagen, hyaluronan, fibrin, and alginate, while common synthetic polymers are alpha-hydroxy esters such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), and their copolymer polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) [5]
In the early 1970s, Bentley and Greer [81] published the paper in Nature, where they described transplantation of the isolated epiphyseal and articular cartilage chondrocytes into joint surfaces of rabbits
Summary
Cartilage is smooth and elastic connective tissue with four major functions: gives shape and support, cushions joints, allows smooth articulation of bones around each other, and enables the growth of long bones. All these functions make cartilage essential for the musculoskeletal system and movement. Regenerative medicine and tissue engineering seek to find solutions for better treatment strategies. The aim of this review is to describe different types of cells that can participate in cartilage regeneration as they are one of the three essential components to be considered for new treatment options (Figure 1).
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