Co-culture of hWJMSCs and pACs in double biomimetic ACECM oriented scaffold enhances mechanical properties and accelerates articular cartilage regeneration in a caprine model

Decellularized laser micro-patterned osteochondral implants exhibit zonal recellularization and self-fixing for osteochondral regeneration in a goat model

Background

Osteochondral regeneration has long been recognized as a complex and challenging project in the field of tissue engineering. In particular, reconstructing the osteochondral interface is crucial for determining the effectiveness of the repair. Although several artificial layered or gradient scaffolds have been developed recently to simulate the natural interface, the functions of this unique structure have still not been fully replicated. In this paper, we utilized laser micro-patterning technology (LMPT) to modify the natural osteochondral "plugs" for use as grafts and aimed to directly apply the functional interface unit to repair osteochondral defects in a goat model.

Methods

For in vitro evaluations, the optimal combination of LMPT parameters was confirmed through mechanical testing, finite element analysis, and comparing decellularization efficiency. The structural and biological properties of the laser micro-patterned osteochondral implants (LMP-OI) were verified by measuring the permeability of the interface and assessing the recellularization processes. In the goat model for osteochondral regeneration, a conical frustum-shaped defect was specifically created in the weight-bearing area of femoral condyles using a customized trephine with a variable diameter. This unreported defect shape enabled the implant to properly self-fix as expected.

Results

The micro-patterning with the suitable pore density and morphology increased the permeability of the LMP-OIs, accelerated decellularization, maintained mechanical stability, and provided two relative independent microenvironments for subsequent recellularization. The LMP-OIs with goat's autologous bone marrow stromal cells in the cartilage layer have securely integrated into the osteochondral defects. At 6 and 12 months after implantation, both imaging and histological assessments showed a significant improvement in the healing of the cartilage and subchondral bone.

Conclusion

With the natural interface unit and zonal recellularization, the LMP-OI is an ideal scaffold to repair osteochondral defects especially in large animals.

The translational potential of this article

These findings suggest that such a modified xenogeneic osteochondral implant could potentially be explored in clinical translation for treatment of osteochondral injuries. Furthermore, trimming a conical frustum shape to the defect region, especially for large-sized defects, may be an effective way to achieve self-fixing for the implant.

Harnessing knee joint resident mesenchymal stem cells in cartilage tissue engineering

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a widespread clinical disease characterized by cartilage degeneration in middle-aged and elderly people. Currently, there is no effective treatment for OA apart from total joint replacement in advanced stages. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a type of adult stem cell with diverse differentiation capabilities and immunomodulatory potentials. MSCs are known to effectively regulate the cartilage microenvironment, promote cartilage regeneration, and alleviate OA symptoms. As a result, they are promising sources of cells for OA therapy. Recent studies have revealed the presence of resident MSCs in synovial fluid, synovial membrane, and articular cartilage, which can be collected as knee joint-derived MSCs (KJD-MSC). Several preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that KJD-MSCs have great potential for OA treatment, whether applied alone, in combination with biomaterials, or as exocrine MSCs. In this article, we will review the characteristics of MSCs in the joints, including their cytological characteristics, such as proliferation, cartilage differentiation, and immunomodulatory abilities, as well as the biological function of MSC exosomes. We will also discuss the use of tissue engineering in OA treatment and introduce the concept of a new generation of stem cell-based tissue engineering therapy, including the use of engineering, gene therapy, and gene editing techniques to create KJD-MSCs or KJD-MSC derivative exosomes with improved functionality and targeted delivery. These advances aim to maximize the efficiency of cartilage tissue engineering and provide new strategies to overcome the bottleneck of OA therapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This research will provide new insights into the medicinal benefit of Joint resident Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), specifically on its cartilage tissue engineering ability. Through this review, the community will further realize promoting joint resident mesenchymal stem cells, especially cartilage progenitor/MSC-like progenitor cells (CPSC), as a preventive measure against osteoarthritis and cartilage injury. People and medical institutions may also consider cartilage derived MSC as an alternative approach against cartilage degeneration. Moreover, the discussion presented in this study will convey valuable information for future research that will explore the medicinal benefits of cartilage derived MSC.

Mesenchymal stem cells in osteoarthritis: The need for translation into clinical therapy

Widely used for cell-based therapy in various medical fields, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show capacity for anti-inflammatory effects, anti-apoptotic activity, immunomodulation, and tissue repair and regeneration. As such, they can potentially be used to treat osteoarthritis (OA). However, MSCs from different sources have distinct advantages and disadvantages, and various animal models and clinical trials using different sources of MSCs are being conducted in OA regenerative medicine. It is now widely believed that the primary tissue regeneration impact of MSCs is via paracrine effects, rather than direct differentiation and replacement. Cytokines and molecules produced by MSCs, including extracellular vesicles with mRNAs, microRNAs, and bioactive substances, play a significant role in OA repair. This chapter outlines the properties of MSCs and recent animal models and clinical trials involving MSCs-based OA therapy, as well as how the paracrine effect of MSCs acts in OA cartilage repair. Additionally, it discusses challenges and controversies in MSCs-based OA therapy. Despite its limits and unanticipated hazards, MSCs have the potential to be translated into therapeutic therapy for future OA treatment.

Updates on mesenchymal stem cell therapies for articular cartilage regeneration in large animal models

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.

Preparation and Application of Decellularized ECM-Based Biological Scaffolds for Articular Cartilage Repair: A Review

Cartilage regeneration is dependent on cellular-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions. Natural ECM plays a role in mechanical and chemical cell signaling and promotes stem cell recruitment, differentiation and tissue regeneration in the absence of biological additives, including growth factors and peptides. To date, traditional tissue engineering methods by using natural and synthetic materials have not been able to replicate the physiological structure (biochemical composition and biomechanical properties) of natural cartilage. Techniques facilitating the repair and/or regeneration of articular cartilage pose a significant challenge for orthopedic surgeons. Whereas, little progress has been made in this field. In recent years, with advances in medicine, biochemistry and materials science, to meet the regenerative requirements of the heterogeneous and layered structure of native articular cartilage (AC) tissue, a series of tissue engineering scaffolds based on ECM materials have been developed. These scaffolds mimic the versatility of the native ECM in function, composition and dynamic properties and some of which are designed to improve cartilage regeneration. This review systematically investigates the following: the characteristics of cartilage ECM, repair mechanisms, decellularization method, source of ECM, and various ECM-based cartilage repair methods. In addition, the future development of ECM-based biomaterials is hypothesized.

Hydrogel composed of type II collagen, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid for cartilage tissue engineering

BACKGROUND

Cartilage tissue engineering is a promising way to repair cartilage defects. Different materials have been applied in the preparation of cartilage hydrogels, but all with various disadvantages.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to prepare cartilage hydrogel using type II collagen, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid, to explore their gelation effect and compressive strength, and to analyze the feasibility of their application in cartilage tissue engineering.

METHODS

Type II collagen (Col II), hyaluronic acid (HA) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) were mixed in a certain proportion to prepare gel scaffolds; changes in chemical groups were detected by Fourier transform infrared. After the hydrogel was prepared, its compressive strength was measured. Umbilical cord stem cells were co-cultured with hydrogel scaffolds to observe its cytocompatibility and analyze whether stem cells had cellular activity during co-culture; histological staining was applied to observe the hydrogel loaded with stem cells.

RESULTS

Cartilage hydrogels were successfully prepared with good compressive strength, and Fourier transform infrared analysis showed that Schiff base reaction occurred during the preparation process and tight chemical cross-linking was formed. The results of umbilical cord stem cell co-culture showed that the hydrogel had good cytocompatibility and the stem cells had good activity in the hydrogel.

CONCLUSIONS

Cartilage hydrogels with stable structures were successfully prepared and had good compressive strength. Hydrogel scaffold could provide a suitable living environment for umbilical cord stem cells, so that they maintain normal cell morphology and activity, and has a good application potential in cartilage tissue engineering.

Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Cartilage Regeneration Applications

Chondropathies are increasing worldwide, but effective treatments are currently lacking. Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSCs) transplantation represents a promising approach to counteract the degenerative and inflammatory environment characterizing those pathologies, such as osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Umbilical cord- (UC-) MSCs gained increasing interest due to their multilineage differentiation potential, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties as well as higher proliferation rates, abundant supply along with no risks for the donor compared to adult MSCs. In addition, UC-MSCs are physiologically adapted to survive in an ischemic and nutrient-poor environment as well as to produce an extracellular matrix (ECM) similar to that of the cartilage. All these characteristics make UC-MSCs a pivotal source for a stem cell-based treatment of chondropathies. In this review, the regenerative potential of UC-MSCs for the treatment of cartilage diseases will be discussed focusing on in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies.

Effect of passage number of genetically modified TGF-β3 expressing primary chondrocytes on the chondrogenesis of ATDC5 cells in a 3D coculture system

Due to the lack of blood vessels, nerves and lymphatics, articular cartilage is difficult to repair once damaged. Tissue engineering is considered to be a potential strategy for cartilage regeneration. Successful tissue engineering strategies depend on the effective combination of biomaterials, seed cells and biological factors. In our previous study, a genetically modified coculture system with chondrocytes and ATDC5 cells in an alginate hydrogel has exhibited a superior ability to enhance chondrogenesis. In this study, we further evaluated the influence of chondrocytes at various passages on chondrogenesis in the coculture system. The results demonstrated that transfection efficiency was hardly influenced by the passage of chondrocytes. The coculture system with passage 5 (P5) chondrocytes had a better effect on chondrogenesis of ATDC 5 cells, while chondrocytes in this coculture system presented higher levels of dedifferentiation than other groups with P1 or P3 chondrocytes. Therefore, P5 chondrocytes were shown to be more suitable for the coculture system, as they accumulated in sufficient cell numbers with more passages and had a higher level of dedifferentiation, which was prone to form a favorable niche for chondrogenesis of ATDC5 cells. This study may provide fresh insights for future cartilage tissue engineering strategies with a combination of a coculture system and advanced biomaterials.

Is Culture Expansion Necessary in Autologous Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapy to Obtain Superior Results in the Management of Knee Osteoarthritis?-Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Study Design: Meta-analysis. Objectives: We aimed to analyze the impact of cultured expansion of autologous mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in the management of osteoarthritis of the knee from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) available in the literature. Materials and Methods: We conducted independent and duplicate electronic database searches including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library until August 2021 for RCTs analyzing the efficacy and safety of culture-expanded compared to non-cultured autologous MSCs in the management of knee osteoarthritis. The Visual Analog Score (VAS) for pain, Western Ontario McMaster University's Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Lysholm score, Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and adverse events were the analyzed outcomes. Analysis was performed in R-platform using OpenMeta [Analyst] software. Results: Overall, 17 studies involving 767 patients were included for analysis. None of the studies made a direct comparison of the culture expanded and non-cultured MSCs, hence we pooled the results of all the included studies of non-cultured and cultured types of MSC sources and made a comparative analysis of the outcomes. At six months, culture expanded MSCs showed significantly better improvement (p < 0.001) in VAS outcome. Uncultured MSCs, on the other hand, demonstrated significant VAS improvement in the long term (12 months) in VAS (p < 0.001), WOMAC (p = 0.025), KOOS score (p = 0.016) where cultured-expanded MSCs failed to demonstrate a significant change. Culturing of MSCs did not significantly increase the complications noted (p = 0.485). On sub-group analysis, adipose-derived uncultured MSCs outperformed culture-expanded MSCs at both short term (six months) and long term (12 months) in functional outcome parameters such as WOMAC (p < 0.001, p = 0.025), Lysholm (p < 0.006), and KOOS (p < 0.003) scores, respectively, compared to their controls. Conclusions: We identified a void in literature evaluating the impact of culture expansion of MSCs for use in knee osteoarthritis. Our indirect analysis of literature showed that culture expansion of autologous MSCs is not a necessary factor to obtain superior results in the management of knee osteoarthritis. Moreover, while using uncultured autologous MSCs, we recommend MSCs of adipose origin to obtain superior functional outcomes. However, we urge future trials of sufficient quality to validate our findings to arrive at a consensus on the need for culture expansion of MSCs for use in cellular therapy of knee osteoarthritis.

Magnetic resonance imaging for non-invasive clinical evaluation of normal and regenerated cartilage

With the development of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, it is much desired to establish bioimaging techniques to monitor the real-time regeneration efficacy in vivo in a non-invasive way. Herein, we tried magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate knee cartilage regeneration after implanting a biomaterial scaffold seeded with chondrocytes, namely, matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI). After summary of the T2 mapping and the T1-related delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI imaging of cartilage (dGEMRIC) in vitro and in vivo in the literature, these two MRI techniques were tried clinically. In this study, 18 patients were followed up for 1 year. It was found that there was a significant difference between the regeneration site and the neighboring normal site (control), and the difference gradually diminished with regeneration time up to 1 year according to both the quantitative T1 and T2 MRI methods. We further established the correlation between the quantitative evaluation of MRI and the clinical Lysholm scores for the first time. Hence, the MRI technique was confirmed to be a feasible semi-quantitative yet non-invasive way to evaluate the in vivo regeneration of knee articular cartilage.

Recent Developed Strategies for Enhancing Chondrogenic Differentiation of MSC: Impact on MSC-Based Therapy for Cartilage Regeneration

Articular cartilage is susceptible to damage, but its self-repair is hindered by its avascular nature. Traditional treatment methods are not able to achieve satisfactory repair effects, and the development of tissue engineering techniques has shed new light on cartilage regeneration. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are one of the most commonly used seed cells in cartilage tissue engineering. However, MSCs tend to lose their multipotency, and the composition and structure of cartilage-like tissues formed by MSCs are far from those of native cartilage. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop strategies that promote MSC chondrogenic differentiation to give rise to durable and phenotypically correct regenerated cartilage. This review provides an overview of recent advances in enhancement strategies for MSC chondrogenic differentiation, including optimization of bioactive factors, culture conditions, cell type selection, coculture, gene editing, scaffolds, and physical stimulation. This review will aid the further understanding of the MSC chondrogenic differentiation process and enable improvement of MSC-based cartilage tissue engineering.

Heterogeneity of mesenchymal stem cells in cartilage regeneration: from characterization to application

Articular cartilage is susceptible to damage but hard to self-repair due to its avascular nature. Traditional treatment methods are not able to produce satisfactory effects. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown great promise in cartilage repair. However, the therapeutic effect of MSCs is often unstable partly due to their heterogeneity. Understanding the heterogeneity of MSCs and the potential of different types of MSCs for cartilage regeneration will facilitate the selection of superior MSCs for treating cartilage damage. This review provides an overview of the heterogeneity of MSCs at the donor, tissue source and cell immunophenotype levels, including their cytological properties, such as their ability for proliferation, chondrogenic differentiation and immunoregulation, as well as their current applications in cartilage regeneration. This information will improve the precision of MSC-based therapeutic strategies, thus maximizing the efficiency of articular cartilage repair.

Hierarchical macro-microporous WPU-ECM scaffolds combined with Microfracture Promote in Situ Articular Cartilage Regeneration in Rabbits

Tissue engineering provides a promising avenue for treating cartilage defects. However, great challenges remain in the development of structurally and functionally optimized scaffolds for cartilage repair and regeneration. In this study, decellularized cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) and waterborne polyurethane (WPU) were employed to construct WPU and WPU-ECM scaffolds by water-based 3D printing using low-temperature deposition manufacturing (LDM) system, which combines rapid deposition manufacturing with phase separation techniques. The scaffolds successfully achieved hierarchical macro‐microporous structures. After adding ECM, WPU scaffolds were markedly optimized in terms of porosity, hydrophilia and bioactive components. Moreover, the optimized WPU-ECM scaffolds were found to be more suitable for cell distribution, adhesion, and proliferation than the WPU scaffolds. Most importantly, the WPU-ECM scaffold could facilitate the production of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen and the upregulation of cartilage-specific genes. These results indicated that the WPU-ECM scaffold with hierarchical macro‐microporous structures could recreate a favorable microenvironment for cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, and ECM production. In vivo studies further revealed that the hierarchical macro‐microporous WPU-ECM scaffold combined with the microfracture procedure successfully regenerated hyaline cartilage in a rabbit model. Six months after implantation, the repaired cartilage showed a similar histological structure and mechanical performance to that of normal cartilage. In conclusion, the hierarchical macro‐microporous WPU-ECM scaffold may be a promising candidate for cartilage tissue engineering applications in the future.

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Hierarchical macro‐microporous scaffolds could be fabricated by low-temperature deposition manufacturing.

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Waterborne polyurethane (WPU) scaffolds were optimized by adding decellularized cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM).

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The WPU-ECM scaffold provided a suitable microenvironment for cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation in vitro.

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The paradigm of WPU-ECM scaffold and microfracture (MF) has great potential for clinical application in cartilage repair.