title: Single-stage cell-based cartilage repair in a rabbit model: cell tracking and in vivo chondrogenesis of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells and hyaluronic acid hydrogel composite.
abstract: Human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) have gained popularity as a promising cell source for regenerative medicine, but limited in vivo studies have reported cartilage repair. In addition, the roles of MSCs in cartilage repair are not well-understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of transplanting hUCB-MSCs and hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel composite to repair articular cartilage defects in a rabbit model and determine whether the transplanted cells persisted or disappeared from the defect site.
  
  
  
  Osteochondral defects were created in the trochlear grooves of the knees. The hUCB-MSCs and HA composite was transplanted into the defect of experimental knees. Control knees were transplanted by HA or left untreated. Animals were sacrificed at 8 and 16 weeks post-transplantation and additionally at 2 and 4 weeks to evaluate the fate of transplanted cells. The repair tissues were evaluated by gross, histological and immunohistochemical analysis.
  
  
  
  Transplanting hUCB-MSCs and HA composite resulted in overall superior cartilage repair tissue with better quality than HA alone or no treatment. Cellular architecture and collagen arrangement at 16 weeks were similar to those of surrounding normal articular cartilage tissue. Histological scores also revealed that cartilage repair in experimental knees was better than that in control knees. Immunohistochemical analysis with anti-human nuclear antibody confirmed that the transplanted MSCs disappeared gradually over time.
  
  
  
  Transplanting hUCB-MSCs and HA composite promote cartilage repair and interactions between hUCB-MSCs and host cells initiated by paracrine action may play an important role in cartilage repair.
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: whybe1122@gmail.com.
authors: Y B
authors: YB
authors: Park
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: chulwon.ha@gmail.com.
authors: C W
authors: CW
authors: Ha
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: jalsy@hanmail.net.
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: jung021279@naver.com.
authors: W J
authors: WJ
authors: Han
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: seaddala@gmail.com.
authors: J H
authors: JH
authors: Rhim
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: gustinoLHJ@nate.com.
authors: H J
authors: HJ
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, South Korea. Electronic address: tulpguy@naver.com.
authors: K J
authors: KJ
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, South Korea. Electronic address: pyk184@hanmail.net.
authors: Y G
authors: YG
authors: Park
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ajou University Hospital, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea. Electronic address: junyoungchung@gmail.com.
authors: J Y
authors: JY
authors: Chung
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D058948:Cell Tracking; D020219:Chondrogenesis; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D036101:Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D011817:Rabbits; D044968:Regenerative Medicine
chemical_list: D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D003094:Collagen
keywords: Cartilage repair; Cell transplantation; Human umbilical cord blood; Hyaluronic acid; Mesenchymal stem cells; Paracrine action