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Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in a hyaluronan scaffold for treatment of an osteochondral defect in a rabbit model

  • Knee
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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of using mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in a hyaluronan scaffold for repair of an osteochondral defect in rabbit knee. Bone marrow was harvested from the posterior iliac crest in 11 New Zealand White rabbits. MSC were isolated and cultured in autologous serum for 28 days and transferred to a hyaluronan scaffold 24 h prior to implantation. A 4 mm diameter and 1.5 mm deep defect was created in the medial femoral condyle of both knees and the scaffold with MSC was implanted in one knee while an empty scaffold was implanted in the contra-lateral knee. After 24 weeks the rabbits were killed and histological sections were subjected to semiquantitative and quantitative evaluation by observers blinded regarding treatment modality. High degree of filling was obtained, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two treatments. However, there was a tendency for a better quality of repair in the MSC treated knees. No hypertrophy was observed by either method. MSC in a hyaluronan scaffold may be a promising treatment approach, but further studies are needed to determine the best combination of scaffold and cells.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Ingar Holme, Ph.D., for statistical advice and Bioengineer Aileen Murdoch Larsen for technical assistance. We also thank Fidia Advanced Biopolymers, Abano Terme, Italy for supplying the biomaterial. The study was supported by grants from the EXTRA funds from the Norwegian Foundation for Health and Rehabilitation, Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research by the Research Council of Norway, Gidske og Peter Jacob Sørensens Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Oslo Sports Trauma Center (OSTRC). The centre is financed by the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority, the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research, the Norwegian Olympic Committee & Confederation of Sport & Norsk Tipping. No affiliations or conflicting interests declared.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedic Centre, Ullevål University Hospital and Medical School, 0407, Oslo, Norway

    S. Løken, A. Årøen & L. Engebretsen

  2. Institute of Surgical Research, University of Oslo, Rikshospitalet Medical Centre, 0027, Oslo, Norway

    S. Løken, A. Årøen & S. Heir

  3. Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Norwegian University of Sport and Physical Education, 0806, Oslo, Norway

    S. Løken, A. Årøen, S. Heir & L. Engebretsen

  4. Institute of Immunology, University of Oslo, Rikshospitalet Medical Centre, 0027, Oslo, Norway

    R. B. Jakobsen, A. Shahdadfar & J. E. Brinchmann

  5. Martina Hansens Hospital, 1306, Baerum, Norway

    S. Heir

  6. Institute of Pathology, University of Oslo, Rikshospitalet Medical Centre, 0027, Oslo, Norway

    F. P. Reinholt

  7. The Pathology Clinic, Rikshospitalet Medical Centre, 0027, Oslo, Norway

    F. P. Reinholt

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  1. S. Løken
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Løken, S., Jakobsen, R.B., Årøen, A. et al. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in a hyaluronan scaffold for treatment of an osteochondral defect in a rabbit model. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthr 16, 896–903 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-008-0566-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-008-0566-2

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