Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are investigated for years as promising tool of cartilage regeneration. Up today, at least three sources of MSC are applied in hundreds of studied, particularly bone marrow, adipose tissue and umbilical cord. Interestingly, in vitro studies indicate different potential of MSC from different sources to facilitate cartilage regeneration. However, the comparison of MSC from these sources to regenerate cartilage on large animal is missing. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacies of MSC from bone marrow and from umbilical cord on repair of cartilage defect employing porcine animal model.
The osteochondral defect 6 x 3 mm (diameter x height) was induced on the surface of articular cartilage of adult minipig and MSC (2.5 x 106 cells/defect) were implanted in the form of Chondrotissue® + MSC + autologous plasma + autologous serum. The experimental groups were Chondrotissue® + autologous porcine MSC from bone marrow, Chondrotissue® + porcine MSC from umbilical cord, Chondrotissue® + human MSC from umbilical cord. The control groups were Chondrotissue® and empty defect. Each group consists of 8 animals. At day of operation (day 0), 10 days after operation (day 10) and at day of termination (day 90) the blood samples were collected to analyze plasma for cytokines. After termination the samples of regenerated defect were collected for histological quantitative analysis of new cartilage formation, collagen type II and type I production.
Analysis of plasma for cytokines did not reveal any significant changes caused by MSC implantation. The quantitative histological evaluation of cartilage defect regeneration did not show the significant differences between MSC from bone marrow and from umbilical cord.
Employing the large animal model of adult cartilage defect we did not observe any significant difference in cartilage defect regeneration treated by MSC from bone marrow and from umbilical cord.