Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026
11:22
Treatment of Osteochondral Defects in the Rabbit's Knee Joint by Implantation of Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Fibrin Clots
Published on: May 21, 2013
Adult stem cells in bone and cartilage tissue engineering
António J Salgado1, João T Oliveira, Adriano J Pedro
13B's Research Group-Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal. asalgado@ecsaude.uminho.pt
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy
|January 29, 2008
Summary
Adult stem cells from various sources show promise for bone and cartilage regeneration. This review explores their differentiation potential, immunogenic characteristics, and expansion methods for regenerative medicine applications.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Tissue Engineering
- Musculoskeletal Biology
Background:
- Increasing life expectancy leads to musculoskeletal issues like osteoporosis, arthritis, and bone cancer.
- Critical size defects from injuries pose significant treatment challenges.
- Current therapies (pharmaceuticals, transplants, synthetics) have limitations, driving the search for novel solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review adult stem cell sources for bone and cartilage regenerative medicine.
- To evaluate the osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation potential of these stem cells.
- To discuss their in vivo applicability, immunogenic properties, and expansion methodologies.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive review of scientific literature on adult stem cells.
- Focus on stem cell sources including bone marrow, periosteum, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and umbilical cord.
- Analysis of data regarding differentiation capacity, immunogenicity, and cell expansion techniques.
Main Results:
- Multiple adult stem cell sources demonstrate osteogenic and chondrogenic potential.
- Evidence supports the in vivo applicability of these stem cells in regenerative medicine.
- Key biotechnological aspects like immunogenicity and expansion are crucial for clinical translation.
Conclusions:
- Adult stem cells offer a promising cell source for developing bone and cartilage tissue equivalents.
- Further research into their properties and manufacturing is essential for advancing regenerative therapies.
- Adult stem cells represent a significant potential addition to the bone and cartilage regenerative market.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Stem Cell Therapy for Tissue Regeneration
Stem cell therapy is a method used in regenerative medicine to repair and restore function to damaged tissues and organs. Stem cells have the potential to proliferate and differentiate into various tissue types, making them ideal candidates for tissue regeneration. For example, hematopoietic stem cell transplants are commonly used in blood cancer treatment to replenish damaged bone marrow and restore healthy blood cells.
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell types that...
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell types that...
01:17Stem Cell Culture
Stem cell research aims to find ways to use stem cells to regenerate and repair cellular damage. Over time, most adult cells undergo the wear and tear of aging and lose their ability to divide and repair themselves. Stem cells do not display a particular morphology or function. Adult stem cells, which exist as a small subset of cells in most tissues, keep dividing and can differentiate into a number of specialized cells generally formed by that tissue. These cells enable the body to renew and...
01:27Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue
Chondrocytes form a temporary cartilaginous model by dividing and secreting a thick gel-like extracellular matrix. Once the chondrocytes undergo programmed cell death, osteoblasts enter the site of the cartilaginous model. The process of replacing the temporary cartilaginous model with bone in an ordered manner is called endochondral ossification. In endochondral ossification, not all of the cartilage is replaced by bone tissue. Some cartilage that performs a protective and supportive function...
01:33Adult Stem Cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce more stem cells or progenitor cells that differentiate into mature, specialized cell types. All the cells in the body are generated from stem cells in the early embryo, but small populations of stem cells are also present in many adult tissues including the bone marrow, brain, skin, and gut. These adult stem cells typically produce the various cell types found in that tissue—to replace cells that are damaged or to continuously renew...
01:19Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that can differentiate into most connective tissue cell types, except for hematopoietic cells, depending upon the source of MSCs. For example, bone-marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) can differentiate into osteocytes, hepatocytes, and pancreatic and neuronal cells. MSCs can be isolated from various sources such as bone marrow, placenta, adipose tissue, teeth, and Wharton’s jelly, a gelatinous substance in the umbilical cord. The ease of their access...
00:58Embryonic Stem Cells
Embryonic stem (ES) cells are undifferentiated pluripotent cells, meaning they can produce any cell type in the body. This gives them tremendous potential in science and medicine since they can generate specific cell types for use in research or to replace body cells lost due to damage or disease.