:
Osteoarthritis (OA), characterized by the degeneration and destruction of articular cartilage, is one
of the most significant public health issues around the world. In the course of OA, inflammatory response is an
important factor leading to cartilage destruction and exacerbation of symptoms. The low immunogenicity,
multi-directional differentiation and high portability properties make bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
(BMSCs) ideal seed cells for OA. Here, we review recent literature relating to the application of BMSCs for
OA cell therapy and consider the following aspects: migration and homing of BMSCs, immunomodulatory and
anti-inflammatory effects of BMSCs, anti-fibrotic effects of BMSCs, the application of biological scaffolds in
cartilage regeneration by BMSCs and chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Injecting BMSCs into joints
with an inflammatory environment may increase the risk of osteoproliferation and ectopic calcification in
patients. Further evidence and studies are needed to ensure the improvement and maintenance of the intraarticular environment for cartilage repair and regeneration.