Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative condition of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) characterised by chronic inflammation and damage to joint structures. Because of the complexity of TMJ-OA, only symptomatic treatments are currently available. Recent reports have shown that many of stem cells can exert anti-inflammatory and tissue-regenerating effects. In this study, we investigated the potential cartilage-regenerating and anti-inflammatory effects of human umbilical cord matrix-mesenchymal stem cells (hUCM-MSCs) for the treatment of TMJ-OA. hUCM-MSC lines, isolated from different donors, which showed different activities in vitro. Using a selected cell line, we used different concentrations of hUCM-MSCs to assess therapeutic effects in a rabbit model of monosodium iodoacetate-induced TMJ-OA. Compared with the untreated control group, the potential regenerative result and anti-inflammatory effects of hUCM-MSCs were evident at all the tested concentrations in rabbits with induced TMJ-OA. The median dose of hUCM-MSCs showed the prominent cartilage protective effect and further cartilage regeneration potential. This effect occurred via upregulated expression of growth factors, extracellular matrix markers, and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and reduced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The anti-inflammatory effect of hUCM-MSCs was comparable to that of dexamethasone (DEX). However, only hUCM-MSCs showed potential chondrogenesis effects in this study. In conclusion, our results indicate that hUCM-MSCs may be an effective treatment option for the treatment of TMJ-OA.
Highlights
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a synovial joint involved in complicated movements such as chewing, swallowing, and speaking, which are vital to maintaining life
To assess the therapeutic potential for chondrogenic regeneration in vitro, we compared the capacity for proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation in Human UCM (hUCM)-Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and human bone marrow (BM)-MSCs, which are well-known standard sources of MSCs
The treatment approach for TMJ-OA aims to prevent the progressive destruction of cartilage and subchondral bone, relieve joint pain, and restore the function of TMJ
Summary
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a synovial joint involved in complicated movements such as chewing, swallowing, and speaking, which are vital to maintaining life. Because of the complex nature of TMJ-OA, the only available therapies are intended for symptomatic management These include anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, soft diets, massaging the jaw muscles, and mouth-opening exercises. Requiring complicated surgeries such as arthroplasty or total joint replacement surgery, which are stressful for patients both physically and economically[9] For these reasons, it is necessary to develop an effective therapeutic agent that can regenerate the degenerated cartilage of the joint and reduce inflammation, thereby arresting the progress of TMJ-OA10. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), originating from the bone marrow (BM), adipose tissue, umbilical cord blood, and umbilical cord matrix (UCM or Wharton’s jelly), can differentiate into different cell types Because of this ability and their immunoregulatory functions, MSCs are currently being tested for the treatment of several clinical conditions including OA11,12. We investigated whether hUCM-MSCs can be used for treating TMJ-OA in vivo using a rabbit model
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