Introduction:
Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into various types of cells in the body and are undifferentiated. They can be obtained from bone marrow, adipose tissue, and umbilical cord blood. Regarding knee cartilage repair, Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are frequently incorporated.
Recently, researchers at Stanford University were able to regrow cartilage in mice and human tissue by guiding skeletal stem cells to form cartilage instead of bone.
What Is Cartilage?
Cartilage is a connective tissue present in the body. It is flexible, soft, and supportive and protects the joints. Its role is to act as a shock absorber for the entire body. Cartilage located at the end of the bones helps reduce friction and prevents the bones from rubbing against each other while using the joints. There are mainly three kinds of cartilage:
-
Hyaline: This cartilage is mostly seen in the body and lines the end of the bones (articular cartilage) and joints. It is also seen between the ribs and in the nasal passage. The nature of this cartilage is flexible but can hold the joints in a proper position.
-
Elastic: This is the most flexible among all three types of cartilage. It is primarily found at places requiring bending and movement for functioning. It can bounce back to its original shape even after applying strong force. For example, the ear and larynx have elastic cartilage.
-
Fibrocartilage: This type of cartilage is tough cartilage made of thick fibers. It is most strongest and rigid of all three cartilage. This cartilage is found in the knee's meniscus, spine, and supporting muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
What Are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are the basic cells of the body or can be called the body's raw material from which all other cells with their specific function can develop. It is an immature, primary cell that has to specialize or develop, which means it can potentially turn into any of the many types of cells found in the body. For example, an undifferentiated stem cell might become a nerve, liver, heart, or blood cell, depending on the conditions they are developed under. This indicates that they have incredible regenerative potential. Under appropriate circumstances in the body or a laboratory, stem cell division takes place to form more cells termed daughter cells. These cells can be used for numerous processes or therapies, such as bone marrow transplants, repair of damaged tissue, cancer treatments (by forming new cells), etc. Stem cell therapies should be performed by conducting proper analysis and under the guidance of a qualified team of doctors as these procedures might carry serious risks sometimes.
Does Stem Cell Therapy Regrow Cartilage?
Stem cell therapy has the potential for the regrowth of the cartilage, but there should be a realistic expectation of how much, how fast, and how effective this process can be. The treatment does not work for everyone similarly, with the poor candidates having less than likely successful results. A new technique has been found to relocate stem cells at the damaged portion of the joint to initiate cartilage growth (called chondrogenesis).
The science, surgical technique, harvesting and storage of the peripheral blood stem cells and the postoperative rehabilitation program that comprises this innovative technology have been incorporated to allow a high-quality regeneration and repair.
How Does Stem Cell Therapy Regrow Cartilage?
In early 2017, doctors writing in the medical journal ” stem cells international” wrote - “Although the role of stem cells in cartilage regeneration is certain, the mechanism underlying this process in cartilage repair is not yet clear. The complete range of limitations and possibilities concerning the clinical application of various stem cells remains to be developed yet, but the advantages of stem cells seem obvious.” According to researchers at Stanford University, regrowth of articular cartilage first causes slight injury to the tissue of the joint. After that, chemical signals steer the growth of skeletal stem cells as the injuries start healing.
Why Is Cartilage Repair Required?
Cartilage damage can result in chronic and painful symptoms like stiffness and joint swelling. Moving such joints becomes very painful, and this damage can result in arthritis later in life. Very limited surgical methods are available for people with torn or damaged articular cartilage. The surgical aim is to initiate the growth of new hyaline cartilage (a specialized tissue on the joint surface). One of the procedures, microfracture, tries to encourage the growth of new articular cartilage by creating a new blood supply. This involves using a sharp object to make holes in the joint surface, bringing a new blood supply and cells and beginning a healing response. The same output is sometimes gained by drilling or abrasion arthroplasty. Another method is autologous chondrocyte implantation, in which new cartilage cells are grown in a laboratory and then implanted back into the joint. Some patients also get a cartilage transfer from a healthy, non-weight-bearing part of the bone and grafted onto the damaged part of the joint.
How Is Cartilage Regeneration Done?
The researchers gained access to the damaged knees by arthroscopic subchondral drilling (into the layer of bone just below the cartilage), a long-standing procedure of stimulating the bone marrow. Subsequent (postoperative) intra-articular injections of PBSC (Peripheral Blood Stem Cell) plus Hyaluronic Acid (HA) were then carried out. HA is a natural substance found in the connective tissues of the body with a proven ability to improve cartilage health and repair, increase the development of immature cells into chondrocytes, and help in the reduction of joint inflammation.
Conclusion:
Cartilage is a type of connective tissue present in the body. It is flexible and works as a shock absorber for joints and bones. Sometimes, this cartilage gets torn or damaged due to an injury or other reasons. Therefore, it needs to be repaired. There are specific surgical options available for this. These days a method is also incorporated called stem cell repair. Cartilage can be repaired with the help of stem cells by causing a slight injury to the joint tissue. After that, chemical signals steer the growth of skeletal stem cells as the injuries start healing.
