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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
Updates on mesenchymal stem cell therapies for articular cartilage regeneration in large animal models
Timothy P Liu1, Pin Ha1,2, Crystal Y Xiao3
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
Abstract:
There is an unmet need for novel and efficacious therapeutics for regenerating injured articular cartilage in progressive osteoarthritis (OA) and/or trauma. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are particularly promising for their chondrogenic differentiation, local healing environment modulation, and tissue- and organism-specific activity; however, despite early in vivo success, MSCs require further investigation in highly-translatable models prior to disseminated clinical usage. Large animal models, such as canine, porcine, ruminant, and equine models, are particularly valuable for studying allogenic and xenogenic human MSCs in a human-like osteochondral microenvironment, and thus play a critical role in identifying promising approaches for subsequent clinical investigation. In this mini-review, we focus on [1] considerations for MSC-harnessing studies in each large animal model, [2] source tissues and organisms of MSCs for large animal studies, and [3] tissue engineering strategies for optimizing MSC-based cartilage regeneration in large animal models, with a focus on research published within the last 5 years. We also highlight the dearth of standard assessments and protocols regarding several crucial aspects of MSC-harnessing cartilage regeneration in large animal models, and call for further research to maximize the translatability of future MSC findings.
Insights
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show promise for cartilage regeneration in osteoarthritis. Large animal models are crucial for studying MSC therapies, but standardized protocols are needed for clinical translation.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Articular cartilage regeneration requires novel therapeutics for osteoarthritis and trauma.
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer potential due to their chondrogenic and immunomodulatory properties.
- Clinical application of MSCs necessitates further validation in translatable models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the use of large animal models for mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based cartilage regeneration.
- To discuss considerations for MSC source tissues and organisms in large animal studies.
- To explore tissue engineering strategies for optimizing MSC therapies in preclinical settings.
Main Methods:
- Focused review of research on MSCs for cartilage regeneration in large animal models (last 5 years).
- Analysis of considerations for different large animal models (canine, porcine, ruminant, equine).
- Evaluation of MSC source tissues, organisms, and tissue engineering strategies.
Main Results:
- Large animal models provide a human-like osteochondral environment for evaluating allogeneic and xenogeneic human MSCs.
- Specific considerations exist for utilizing each large animal model in MSC studies.
- Tissue engineering strategies are being developed to enhance MSC efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Large animal models are vital for advancing MSC-based cartilage regeneration towards clinical use.
- Standardized assessment protocols are lacking, hindering the translatability of MSC findings.
- Further research is needed to optimize MSC therapies and establish robust evaluation methods.
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