Intra-articular injection of mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a proof-of-concept clinical trial.

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known to have a potential for articular cartilage regeneration. However, most studies focused on focal cartilage defect through surgical implantation. For the treatment of generalized cartilage loss in osteoarthritis, an alternative delivery strategy would be more appropriate. The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of intra-articular injection of autologous adipose tissue derived MSCs (AD-MSCs) for knee osteoarthritis. We enrolled 18 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and injected AD MSCs into the knee. The phase I study consists of three dose-escalation cohorts; the low-dose (1.0 × 10(7) cells), mid-dose (5.0 × 10(7)), and high-dose (1.0 × 10(8)) group with three patients each. The phase II included nine patients receiving the high-dose. The primary outcomes were the safety and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included clinical, radiological, arthroscopic, and histological evaluations. There was no treatment-related adverse event. The WOMAC score improved at 6 months after injection in the high-dose group. The size of cartilage defect decreased while the volume of cartilage increased in the medial femoral and tibial condyles of the high-dose group. Arthroscopy showed that the size of cartilage defect decreased in the medial femoral and medial tibial condyles of the high-dose group. Histology demonstrated thick, hyaline-like cartilage regeneration. These results showed that intra-articular injection of 1.0 × 10(8) AD MSCs into the osteoarthritic knee improved function and pain of the knee joint without causing adverse events, and reduced cartilage defects by regeneration of hyaline-like articular cartilage.

• Authors: Chris Hyunchul Jo, Young Gil Lee, Won Hyoung Shin, Hyang Kim, Jee Won Chai, Eui Cheol Jeong, Ji Eun Kim, Hackjoon Shim, Ji Sun Shin, Il Seob Shin, Jeong Chan Ra, Sohee Oh, Kang Sup Yoon
• Journal: Stem cells (Dayton, Ohio) (Stem Cells) Vol. 32 Issue 5 Pg. 1254-66 (May 2014) ISSN: 1549-4918 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24449146 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase I, Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2014 AlphaMed Press.

Topics

• Adipose Tissue (cytology)
• Aged
• Arthralgia (etiology)
• Cartilage, Articular (diagnostic imaging, pathology, physiopathology)
• Cohort Studies
• Female
• Humans
• Injections, Intra-Articular
• Knee (physiopathology)
• Male
• Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation (adverse effects, methods)
• Mesenchymal Stem Cells (cytology)
• Middle Aged
• Osteoarthritis, Knee (therapy)
• Pain (etiology)
• Radiography
• Regeneration
• Transplantation, Autologous
• Treatment Outcome
• Urinary Calculi (etiology)