Abstract
BackgroundSubcutaneous adipose tissue represents an abundant source of multipotent adult stem cells named as Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). With a cell sheet approach, ADSCs survive longer, and can be delivered in large quantities. We investigated whether intra-articular ADSC sheets attenuated osteoarthritis (OA) progression in a rabbit anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) model.MethodsFabricating medium containing ascorbate-2-phosphate was used to enhance collagen protein secretion by the ADSCs to make ADSC sheets. At 4 weeks after ACLT, autologous ADSC sheets were injected intra-articularly into the right knee (ADSC sheets group), and autologous cell death sheets treated by liquid nitrogen were injected into the left knee (control group). Subsequent injections were administered once weekly. Femoral condyles were compared macroscopically and histologically.ResultsMacroscopically, OA progression was significantly milder in the ADSC sheets than in the control groups. Histologically, control knees showed obvious erosions in the medial and lateral condyles, while cartilage was retained predominantly in the ADSC sheets group. Immunohistochemically, MMP-1, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4 were less expressive in the ADSC sheets than in the control groups.ConclusionsPeriodic ADSC sheets injections inhibited articular cartilage degeneration without inducing any adverse effects. A large quantity of autologous ADSCs delivered by cell sheets homed to the synovium and protected chondrocytes.
Highlights
Subcutaneous adipose tissue represents an abundant source of multipotent adult stem cells named as Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs)
At 6 weeks after anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT), mild erosion in the medial or lateral femoral condyle was observed in the control group, whereas near normal cartilage or fibrillation was observed in the ADSC sheets group
At 10 weeks, erosions were observed in both groups, but the damaged areas in the ADSC sheets group were smaller than those in the control group
Summary
Subcutaneous adipose tissue represents an abundant source of multipotent adult stem cells named as Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by articular cartilage destruction along with changes occurring in other joint components including bone, synovium, ligaments, and menisci [1, 2] Surgical interventions, such as joint arthroplasty and osteotomies, have been pursued in many patients to relieve joint pain and improve joint function, most OA patients are managed conservatively with oral or topical medications, intra-articular corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid, and physiotherapy [3, 4]. Among the various sources of MSCs, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) represent an abundant source of multipotent adult stem cells that are isolated from subcutaneous adipose tissue and cultured in large quantities with a minimally invasive procedure [5, 6]. We investigated them in various fields such as cartilages, bones, peripheral nerves, ligaments, and menisci [5, 9,10,11,12]
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