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Researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC have used a stem cell-based bio-implant to repair cartilage and delay joint degeneration in a large animal model. This paves the way to potentially treat humans with cartilage injuries and osteoarthritis, which occurs when the protective cartilage at the ends of the bones wears down over time. The disorder affects millions worldwide.
The researchers are using this technology to manufacture the first 64 implants to be tested on humans with support from a $6 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).
Researchers Dr. Denis Evseenko, and Dr. Frank Petrigliano led the development of the therapeutic bio-implant, called Plurocart. It’s composed of a scaffold membrane seeded with stem cell-derived chondrocytes, the cells responsible for producing and maintaining healthy articular cartilage tissue.
In the study, the researchers implanted the Plurocart membrane into a pig model of osteoarthritis, resulting in the long-term repair of articular cartilage defects. Evseenko said the findings are significant because the implant fully integrated in the damaged articular cartilage tissue and survived for up to six months. “Previous studies have not been able to show survival of an implant for such a long time,” Evseenko added.
The researchers also found that the cartilage tissue generated was strong enough to withstand compression and elastic enough to accommodate movement without breaking.
Osteoarthritis, an often-painful disorder, can affect any joint, but most commonly affects those in our knees, hips, hands and spine. The USC researchers hope their implant will help prevent the development of arthritis and alleviate the need for invasive joint replacement surgeries.
“Many of the current options for cartilage injury are expensive, involve complex logistical planning, and often result in incomplete regeneration,” said Petrigliano. “Plurocart represents a practical, inexpensive, one-stage therapy that may be more effective in restoring damaged cartilage and improve the outcome of such procedures.”
Read the full study here and learn more about the CIRM grant here.
The Stem Cellar 
Stem cells require growth factors for growth and differentiation. During maturation processes, stem cells require many stages of maturation before attaining into fully mature and functioning cells. Each stage of maturation, progenitors response to growth factors for growth and differentiation. They differentiate into different phenotypes and genotype and change their response from one growth factor to another growth factor. Thus, each stage of maturation, progenitors response to different growth factors before the progenitors reaching the state of fully maturation and functioning.
Current clinical trial developed therapeutic bioimplant called Plurocart which composed of scaffold membrane seeded with stem cell-derived chondrocytes. These tissues are responsible to produce and maintain healthy articular cartilage tissue. Results of preclinical trial in pig models showed long-term repair of articular cartilage defects.
Although pig model has high homologous (80%)of immune system to humans. Human and human with closely related match of restriction markers face graft versus host response during transplantation of of one organ or tissue to another . In the early stage of maturation, both autologous and allogenic progenitors of donor are easily integrated into recipient’s body without showing signs of rejection. Once the progenitors attending fully maturation, they may cause havoc to safety and health of recipients. It is highly recommended that long -term follow up are essential to safeguard the safety and health of patients receiving new cell-based therapy.
Hi Im 69 active left knee can you help and how much does it costs ? thank you
Hi Emy, sorry to hear about your knee problems. We are a state agency and while we do fund research we don’t do any ourselves, nor do we offer any treatments. You would have to contact the researchers/clinic involved directly to find out that information. Good luck.