Articular cartilage regeneration with synovial mesenchymal stem cells

Cell transplantation has shown to be a promising strategy to repair cartilage defects. Mesenchymal stem cells derived from synovium have been shown to be a superior cell source for cartilage regeneration to those from other mesenchymal tissues due to their higher rates of colony formation, proliferation potential with autologous serum, and in vitro/vivo chondrogenic potentials. We have found that approximately 60% of synovial mesenchymal stem cells placed on cartilage defects adhered to the defect within 10 min, and the addition of magnesium enhanced this percentage further, which resulted in better cartilage regeneration. Based upon several basic research studies performed in our lab, we have begun the transplantation of synovial stem cells arthroscopically in a clinical study for the treatment of cartilage defects. To date, no adverse events have been reported in the study. Regeneration of cartilage, reduction in defect size and an improvement of symptoms have been obtained in most patients over the last 3 years.