title: Evaluation of articular cartilage progenitor cells for the repair of articular defects in an equine model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We sought to determine the effectiveness of chondroprogenitor cells derived from autologous and allogenic articular cartilage for the repair of cartilage defects in an equine model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cartilage defects (15 mm) were created on the medial trochlear ridge of the femur. The following experimental treatments were compared with empty-defect controls: fibrin only, autologous chondroprogenitor cells plus fibrin, and allogenic chondroprogenitor cells plus fibrin (n = 4 or 12 per treatment). Horses underwent strenuous exercise throughout the twelve-month study, and evaluations included lameness (pain) and arthroscopic, radiographic, gross, histologic, and immunohistochemical analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Arthroscopy and microscopy indicated that defects in the autologous cell group had significantly better repair tissue compared with defects in the fibrin-only and control groups. Repair tissue quality in the allogenic cell group was not superior to that in the fibrin-only group with the exception of the percentage of type-II collagen, which was greater. Radiographic changes in the allogenic cell group were poorer on average than those in the autologous cell group. Autologous cells significantly reduced central osteophyte formation compared with fibrin alone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On the basis of the arthroscopic, radiographic, and histologic scores, autologous cells in fibrin yielded better results than the other treatments; allogenic cells cannot be recommended at this time.
authors: Orthopaedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences (D.D.F. and C.W.M.), and Department of Radiological and Health Sciences (M.F.B.), College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80523. E-mail address for D.D. Frisbie: david.frisbie@colostate.edu.
authors: David D
authors: DD
authors: Frisbie
authors: Division of Pathophysiology and Repair, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, United Kingdom.
authors: Helen E
authors: HE
authors: McCarthy
authors: Institute of Life Sciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, United Kingdom.
authors: Charles W
authors: CW
authors: Archer
authors: Orthopaedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences (D.D.F. and C.W.M.), and Department of Radiological and Health Sciences (M.F.B.), College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80523. E-mail address for D.D. Frisbie: david.frisbie@colostate.edu.
authors: Myra F
authors: MF
authors: Barrett
authors: Orthopaedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences (D.D.F. and C.W.M.), and Department of Radiological and Health Sciences (M.F.B.), College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80523. E-mail address for D.D. Frisbie: david.frisbie@colostate.edu.
authors: C Wayne
authors: CW
authors: McIlwraith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000637:transplantation*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005269:Femur; D005337:Fibrin; D006736:Horses; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D005337:Fibrin