Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapy is being explored in treating osteoarthritis (OA). Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) are least reported. In this study, we investigated the effects of single intra-articular injections of hUC-MSCs on a rat OA model.
hUC-MSCs were isolated from the Wharton's jelly of the human umbilical cord and identified. Eighteen Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the OA model. All rats were divided into 3 groups: hyaluronic acid (HA)+MSCs (n = 6), HA (n = 6), and control group (n = 6). One by 10
At 6 weeks, the HA + MSCs group had a significantly better International Cartilage Repair Society score in the femoral condyle compared to the HA and control groups. Histological analysis also showed more proteoglycan and less cartilage loss, with lower modified Mankin score in the HA + MSCs group. However, at 12 weeks there were no significant differences between groups from macroscopic examination and histological analysis. Subchondral bone sclerosis of the medial femoral condyle and behavioral tests showed no significant differences between groups at 6 and 12 weeks.
These findings indicate that single injection of hUC-MSCs can have temporary effects on decelerating the progression of cartilage degeneration in OA rats, but may not inhibit OA progression in the long-term.