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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
Autologous Microfractured and Purified Adipose Tissue for Arthroscopic Management of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus
Published on: January 23, 2018
Association between cellular characteristics and clinical outcomes following autologous micro-fragmented adipose
Chongyi Fan1, Zhenda Zhao1, Boran Liang1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Aerospace Center Hospital, Beijing, China.
Background:
Autologous micro-fragmented adipose tissue (aMFAT) has emerged as a promising orthobiologic therapy for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). However, the relationship between the cellular characteristics of aMFAT products and clinical outcomes remains unclear.
Methods:
This retrospective single-center study included 40 patients with symptomatic KOA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade II-III) who received a single intra-articular injection of aMFAT. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Cytological analyses were performed in a subgroup of 14 patients, including cell viability, total nucleated cell count, viable nucleated cell load, and cell subpopulation composition. Subgroup and correlation analyses were conducted to explore associations between cellular characteristics and clinical outcomes.
Results:
Significant improvements in WOMAC total and subscale scores were observed at both 3 and 6 months compared with baseline (P < 0.05). At 6 months, 97.5% of patients achieved the minimal clinically important difference. In the cytological subgroup, both cell viability and viable nucleated cell load were positively correlated with clinical improvement, with viable nucleated cell load demonstrating a stronger association (r = 0.93 vs. 0.84). Patients with higher cell load showed significantly greater and more sustained improvements. Fibroblast proportion was positively correlated with clinical outcomes, while no significant association was found for MSCs or macrophages. No serious adverse events were reported.
Conclusion:
A single intra-articular injection of aMFAT was associated with short-term clinical improvement and a favorable safety profile in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Clinical outcomes showed exploratory associations with cellular characteristics, particularly viable nucleated cell load. These findings require validation in future studies.
