Combined Mesenchymal Stem Cellsand Cartilage Acellular Matrix InjectionTherapy for Osteoarthritis in Goats.

Abstract

Human umbilical cord blood-derived MSCs (hUCB-MSCs) have been studied in osteoarthritis (OA) and cartilage regeneration. Our previous study demonstrated that hUCB-MSCs combined with cartilage acellular matrix injection (CAM Inj.) represent potential therapeutic agents for structural improvement and anti-inflammatory effects in a rabbit model of OA. Based on a previous study, this study has evaluated the safety and efficacy of hUCB-MSCs combined with CAM Inj. in an anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) with medial meniscectomy (MMx) in a goat model. In this study, 27 goats were divided into 5 groups: normal (n = 3), OA (n = 6), OA + CAM Inj. (n = 6), OA + hUCB-MSCs (n = 6), and OA + hUCB-MSCs + CAM Inj. (n = 6). Lameness and radiographic parameters were assessed 6months after administration, and macroscopic and histological evaluations of the goat articular cartilage were performed 6months after intervention. The results showed significant improvement in lameness score only in the OA + hUCB-MSCs group at 5months after treatment (*p < 0.05), whereas the K&L score showed significant improvement only in the OA + hUCB-MSCs + CAM Inj. group 6months after intervention (*p < 0.05). In addition, the gross findings showed significance in OA + CAM Inj. and OA + hUCB-MSCs + CAM Inj. groups 6months after treatment (*p < 0.05 and **p < 0.01). In conclusion, treatment with a combination of hUCB-MSCs and CAM Inj. reduced OA symptoms and induced effective cartilage tissue repair in a goat model. We suggest the combination of hUCB-MSCs and CAM Inj. as an alternative therapy for OA.