An autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular matrix scaffold applied with bone marrow stimulation for cartilage repair.

Abstract

PURPOSE: It is well known that implanting a bioactive scaffold into a cartilage

defect site can enhance cartilage repair after bone marrow stimulation (BMS).

However, most of the current scaffolds are derived from xenogenous tissue and/or

artificial polymers. The implantation of these scaffolds adds risks of pathogen

transmission, undesirable inflammation, and other immunological reactions, as

well as ethical issues in clinical practice. The current study was undertaken to

evaluate the effectiveness of implanting autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem

cell-derived extracellular matrix (aBMSC-dECM) scaffolds after BMS for cartilage

repair. METHODS: Full osteochondral defects were performed on the trochlear

groove of both knees in 24 rabbits. One group underwent BMS only in the right

knee (the BMS group), and the other group was treated by implantation of the

aBMSC-dECM scaffold after BMS in the left knee (the aBMSC-dECM scaffold group).

RESULTS: Better repair of cartilage defects was observed in the aBMSC-dECM

scaffold group than in the BMS group according to gross observation, histological

assessments, immunohistochemistry, and chemical assay. The glycosaminoglycan and

DNA content, the distribution of proteoglycan, and the distribution and

arrangement of type II and I collagen fibers in the repaired tissue in the

aBMSC-dECM scaffold group at 12 weeks after surgery were similar to that

surrounding normal hyaline cartilage. CONCLUSIONS: Implanting aBMSC-dECM

scaffolds can enhance the therapeutic effect of BMS on articular cartilage

repair, and this combination treatment is a potential method for successful

articular cartilage repair.