Abstract
A major challenge in cartilage repair is the lack of chondrogenic cells migrating from healthy tissue into damaged areas and strategies to promote this should be developed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of peripheral blood derived mononuclear cell (PBMC) stimulation on mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) derived from the infrapatellar fat pad of human OA knee. Cell migration was measured using an xCELLigence electronic migration chamber system in combination with scratch assays. Gene expression was quantified with stem cell PCR arrays and validated using quantitative real-time PCR (rtPCR). In both migration assays PBMCs increased MSC migration by comparison to control. In scratch assay the wound closure was 55% higher after 3 hours in the PBMC stimulated test group (P = 0.002), migration rate was 9 times faster (P = 0.008), and total MSC migration was 25 times higher after 24 hours (P = 0.014). Analysis of MSCs by PCR array demonstrated that PBMCs induced the upregulation of genes associated with chondrogenic differentiation over 15-fold. In conclusion, PBMCs increase both MSC migration and differentiation suggesting that they are an ideal candidate for inclusion in regenerative medicine therapies aimed at cartilage repair.
Highlights
Articular cartilage has limited reparative abilities and purely chondral defects do not heal spontaneously
The results of the 24hour migration assay show that in vitro mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) migration was 25 times higher when stimulated with the peripheral blood derived mononuclear cell (PBMC) (P = 0.014, Figure 2(d)) even though the cells did not have direct cellto-cell contact
Our aims in this study were to establish whether PBMCs had a positive influence on MSC migration and phenotype
Summary
Articular cartilage has limited reparative abilities and purely chondral defects do not heal spontaneously. Shapiro and coworkers [3] showed that this repair is mediated by the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) that invade the defect from the underlying bone marrow and vasculature. This physiological repair response still forms the rationale behind a number of orthopaedic procedures described as bone marrow stimulation techniques [4]. Steadman et al [5] first described the microfracture procedure to enhance chondral resurfacing by introducing multiple holes below the articular cartilage defect into the exposed subchondral bone plate. The functional long term outcome after microfracture surgery has presented variable results, the main shortcomings including limited hyaline repair tissue, variable repair cartilage volume, and possibility of progressive ossification of the regenerated tissue [6, 7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
