Exogenous versus Endogenous Stem Cells Impacts on Knee Articular Cartilage Repair, Pain Sensation and Gait in a Rat Model of Osteoarthritis; Structural and Functional Assessment

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease with a very limited available curative option. Stem cells-based therapy revealed a promising regenerative capability in cartilage repair. We aimed to compare the sole and the combined effects of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and the granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilized endogenous stem cells in articular cartilage repair, pain and gait improvement in monoiodoacetat (MIA)-induced rat model of osteoarthritis. OA was induced by a single intra articular injection 1 mg MIA. BM-MSCs-treated and the combined groups received a single intra-articular of injection of BM-MSCs. G-CSF-treated and the combined groups received subcutaneous injections of G-CSF. The articular cartilage repair, total leucocytic count, nociception behavior and gait parameters were assessed. The results revealed an increase in total leucocytic count on the 5th day after G-CSF injection and returned to normal on day 35. All treated groups showed comparable improvement in nociception behavior and gait parameters. Histopathological evaluation showed enhanced cartilage repair in the combined group compared to the two other treated groups. In conclusion The concomitant application of BM-MSCs and G-CSF have a promising comparable effect of exogenous and mobilized endogenous stem cells on pain, gait and the structural improvements.