scholarly journals Device-Based Enrichment of Knee Joint Synovial Cells to Drive MSC Chondrogenesis Without Prior Culture Expansion In Vitro: A Step Closer to 1-Stage Orthopaedic Procedures

2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652110551
Author(s):  
Ala Altaie ◽  
Thomas G. Baboolal ◽  
Owen Wall ◽  
Hemant Pandit ◽  
Elena Jones ◽  
...  

Background: Synovial fluid (SF) mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are derived from the synovial membrane and have cartilage repair potential. Their current use in clinical practice is largely exploratory. As their numbers tend to be small, therapeutic procedures using MSCs typically require culture expansion. Previous reports indicate that the stem cell–mobilizing device (STEM device) intraoperatively increases SF-MSCs. Purpose: This study evaluated the chondrogenic potential of non–culture expanded synovium-mobilized MSCs and SF-microfragments obtained after enrichment using the STEM device and ascertained if device-mediated synovial membrane manipulation facilitated ongoing MSC release. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Two samples of aspiration fluid were collected intraoperatively before and after STEM device utilization from patients (n = 16) undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic knee arthroscopy. Human knee synovium (n = 5) was collected during total knee replacement, and a suspended culture was performed to assess the effect of the STEM device on ongoing MSC release. Colony forming unit–fibroblastic assays were used to determine the number of MSCs. Additionally, cytometric characterization of stromal and immune cells and chondrogenesis differentiation assay were performed without culture expansion. Filtered platelet concentrates were prepared using the HemaTrate system. Results: After STEM device use, a significant increase was evident in SF-MSCs ( P = .03) and synovial fluid–resident synovial tissue microfragments ( P = .03). In vitro–suspended synovium released significantly more MSCs following STEM device use than nonstimulated synovium ( P = .01). The STEM device–released total cellular fraction produced greater in vitro chondrogenesis with significantly more glycosaminoglycans (GAGs; P < .0001) when compared with non–STEM device synovial fluid material. Nonexpanded SF-MSCs and SF-microfragments combined with autologous filtered platelet concentrate produced significantly more GAGs than the complete chondrogenic media ( P < .0001). The STEM device–mobilized cells contained more M2 macrophage cells and fewer M1 cells. Conclusion: Non–culture expanded SF-MSCs and SF-microfragments had the potential to undergo chondrogenesis without culture expansion, which can be augmented using the STEM device with increased MSC release from manipulated synovium for several days. Although preliminary, these findings offer proof of concept toward manipulation of the knee joint environment to facilitate endogenous repair responses. Clinical Relevance: Although numbers were small, this study highlights 3 factors relevant to 1-stage joint repair using the STEM device: increased SF-MSCs and SF-microfragments and prolonged synovial release of MSCs. Joint repair strategies involving endogenous MSCs for cartilage repair without the need for culture expansion in a 1-stage procedure may be possible.

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 792-793
Author(s):  
A. Altaie ◽  
E. Jones ◽  
O. Wall ◽  
D. Mcgonagle

Background:Synovial fluid contains resident mesenchymal stem cells (SF-MSCs) that are derived from the synovial membrane and may interact with superficial cartilage injury sites. We previously reported on a novel methodology for increasing the number of MSCs in the knee joints using synovial brushing combined with platelet lysate (PL) as a chondrogenic inducer [1, 2].Objectives:The purpose of this study was to evaluate autologous and allogenic PL as a chondrogenic inducer and the chondrogenic potential of the mobilised MSCs without further ex vivo expansion. The desired goal of the study was to provide in vitro proof of concept of direct chondrogensis without resort to MSC expansion protocols, since adequate MSCs towards repair could be mechanically procured in a minimally invasive fashion.Methods:SF-MSCs were derived from the joint cavity of patients undergoing arthroscopy procedures. For the mechanical release of MSCs ‘before’ and ‘after’ brushing the synovium with the novel device (Figure 1A), samples of irrigation fluid were collected and MSC numbers were evaluated by CFU-F assay and flow cytometry for stromal and immune populations. Standard chondrogenic assay was performed on uncultured and cultured expanded synovial MSCs. Pellet cultures were maintained in complete chondrogenic media (CCM), DMEM+50% autologous filtared platelet concentrate (fPC), 50% Stemulate (allogeneic human PL; Cook Regentec, Indianapolis, IN), or expansion media (control). Chondrogenesis was assessed by Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) andToluidine bluestaining. Autologous blood was processed through a gravity-based filtration system, HemaTrate®(HT; Cook Regentec, Indianapolis, IN), to produce a PC.Figure 1.Flow cytometry analysis of stromal and immune populations before’ and ‘after’ mechanically release of synovial with the novel device (CD90highCD45Lowin red circle) (A). Uncultured synovial cells after 21 days exposure to complete chondrogenic media Toulid Blue staining (B) Gags level (C) n=3.Results:Mechanically mobilized SF-MSC numbers increased as measured by CFU-F assay and flow cytometry for CD90HighCD45Lowcells (p<0.001), and CD14+HLA-DR+CD206+CD86+M2 macrophages also increased (p<0.05). The HT system significantly concentrated platelets and WBCs by 6- (p<0.0001) and 1.8-folds (p<0.001), respectively. Device-mobilized SF-MSC proliferation significantly increased after 6 days in DMEM + 10% PC (p<0.001) and correlated with PC platelet number (p<0.005). Autologous PC increased GAG levels compared to control (p<0.0001), and there was no significant difference compared to allogenic PL (p>0.5). Uncultured synovial cells produced significantly more GAG when cultured in CCM or DMEM + 50% autologous PC compared to control (p<0.0001). The GAG levels of uncultured synovial cells positively correlated with CFU-F (p<0.005). Chondrogenic potential of uncultured synovial cells that were mechanically mobilized with initial irrigation exhibited an increase (1.5-fold) in GAG levels (p<0.001) figure 1-B and also positively correlated with CFU-F (p<0.005).Conclusion:Synovial MSCs can be mechanically released in sufficient number to undergo in vitro chondrogenic induction with significant chondrogenic activity without the need for ex vivo culture expansion. In vitro, autologous PC can be used as chondrogenic inducer for uncultured SF-MSCs. The data presented here supports one stage arthroscopy procedures for cartilage repairReferences:[1]T.G. Baboolal, S.C. Mastbergen, E. Jones, S.J. Calder, F.P. Lafeber, D. McGonagle, Synovial fluid hyaluronan mediates MSC attachment to cartilage, a potential novel mechanism contributing to cartilage repair in osteoarthritis using knee joint distraction, Annals of the rheumatic diseases 75(5) (2016) 908-15.[2]A. Altaie, T.G. Baboolal, O. Wall, E. Jones, D. McGonagle, Platelet lysate enhances synovial fluid multipotential stromal cells functions: Implications for therapeutic use, Cytotherapy 20(3) (2018) 375-384.Disclosure of Interests:Ala Altaie: None declared, Elena Jones: None declared, Owen Wall: None declared, Dennis McGonagle Grant/research support from: Janssen Research & Development, LLC


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine M. Khella ◽  
Rojiar Asgarian ◽  
Judith M. Horvath ◽  
Bernd Rolauffs ◽  
Melanie L. Hart

Understanding the causality of the post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) disease process of the knee joint is important for diagnosing early disease and developing new and effective preventions or treatments. The aim of this review was to provide detailed clinical data on inflammatory and other biomarkers obtained from patients after acute knee trauma in order to (i) present a timeline of events that occur in the acute, subacute, and chronic post-traumatic phases and in PTOA, and (ii) to identify key factors present in the synovial fluid, serum/plasma and urine, leading to PTOA of the knee in 23–50% of individuals who had acute knee trauma. In this context, we additionally discuss methods of simulating knee trauma and inflammation in in vivo, ex vivo articular cartilage explant and in vitro chondrocyte models, and answer whether these models are representative of the clinical inflammatory stages following knee trauma. Moreover, we compare the pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations used in such models and demonstrate that, compared to concentrations in the synovial fluid after knee trauma, they are exceedingly high. We then used the Bradford Hill Framework to present evidence that TNF-α and IL-6 cytokines are causal factors, while IL-1β and IL-17 are credible factors in inducing knee PTOA disease progresssion. Lastly, we discuss beneficial infrastructure for future studies to dissect the role of local vs. systemic inflammation in PTOA progression with an emphasis on early disease.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Franz ◽  
Laura Joseph ◽  
Constantin Mayer ◽  
Jan-Frieder Harmsen ◽  
Holger Schrumpf ◽  
...  

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most frequently diagnosed joint disorder worldwide with increasing prevalence and crucial impact on the quality of life of affected patients through chronic pain, decreasing mobility and invalidity. Although some risk factors, such as age, obesity and previous joint injury are well established, the exact pathogenesis of OA on a cellular and molecular level remains less understood. Today, the role of nitrosative and oxidative stress has not been investigated conclusively in the pathogenesis of OA yet. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify biological substances for oxidative and nitrosative stress, which mirror the degenerative processes in an osteoarthritic joint. 69 patients suffering from a diagnosed knee pain participated in this study. Based on the orthopedic diagnosis, patients were classified into an osteoarthritis group (OAG, n=24) or in one of two control groups (meniscopathy, CG1, n=11; anterior cruciate ligament rupture, CG2, n=34). Independently from the study protocol, all patients underwent an invasive surgical intervention which was used to collect samples from the synovial membrane, synovial fluid and human serum. Synovial biopsies were analyzed histopathologically for synovitis (Krenn-Score) and immunohistochemically for detection of end products of oxidative (8-isoprostane F2α) and nitrosative (3-nitrotyrosine) stress. Additionally, the fluid samples were analyzed for 8-isoprostane F2α and 3-nitrotyrosine by competitive ELISA method. The analyzation of inflammation in synovial biopsies revealed a slight synovitis in all three investigated groups. Detectable concentrations of 3-nitrotyrosine were reported in all three investigated groups without showing any significant differences between the synovial biopsies, fluid or human serum. In contrast, significant increased concentrations of 8-isoprostane F2α were detected in OAG compared to both control groups. Furthermore, our data showed a significant correlation between the histopathological synovitis and oxidative stress in OAG (r=0.728, P<0.01). There were no significant differences between the concentrations of 8-isoprostane F2α in synovial fluid and human serum. The findings of the current study support the hypothesis that oxidative and nitrosative stress are components of the multi-factory pathophysiological formation of OA. It seems reasonable that an inflammatory process in the synovial membrane triggers the generation of oxidative and nitrosative acting substances which can lead to a further degradation of the articular cartilage. Based on correlations between the observed degree of inflammation and investigated biomarkers, especially 8-isoprostane F2α seems to be a novel candidate biomarker for OA. However, due to the finding that also both control groups showed increased concentrations of selected biomarkers, future studies have to validate the diagnostic potential of these biomarkers in OA and in related conditions of the knee joint.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Zayed ◽  
Steven Newby ◽  
Nabil Misk ◽  
Robert Donnell ◽  
Madhu Dhar

Horses are widely used as large animal preclinical models for cartilage repair studies, and hence, there is an interest in using equine synovial fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cells (SFMSCs) in research and clinical applications. Since, we have previously reported that similar to bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMMSCs), SFMSCs may also exhibit donor-to-donor variations in their stem cell properties; the current study was carried out as a proof-of-concept study, to compare the in vivo potential of equine BMMSCs and SFMSCs in articular cartilage repair. MSCs from these two sources were isolated from the same equine donor. In vitro analyses confirmed a significant increase in COMP expression in SFMSCs at day 14. The cells were then encapsulated in neutral agarose scaffold constructs and were implanted into two mm diameter full-thickness articular cartilage defect in trochlear grooves of the rat femur. MSCs were fluorescently labeled, and one week after treatment, the knee joints were evaluated for the presence of MSCs to the injured site and at 12 weeks were evaluated macroscopically, histologically, and then by immunofluorescence for healing of the defect. The macroscopic and histological evaluations showed better healing of the articular cartilage in the MSCs’ treated knee than in the control. Interestingly, SFMSC-treated knees showed a significantly higher Col II expression, suggesting the presence of hyaline cartilage in the healed defect. Data suggests that equine SFMSCs may be a viable option for treating osteochondral defects; however, their stem cell properties require prior testing before application.


Cartilage ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 194760352110408
Author(s):  
Brian E. Walczak ◽  
Hongli Jiao ◽  
Ming-Song Lee ◽  
Wan-Ju Li

Objectives Functions of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are affected by patient-dependent factors such as age and health condition. To tackle this problem, we used the cellular reprogramming technique to epigenetically alter human MSCs derived from the synovial fluid of joints with osteoarthritis (OA) to explore the potential of reprogrammed MSCs for repairing articular cartilage. Materials and Methods MSCs isolated from the synovial fluid of three patients’ OA knees (Pa-MSCs) were reprogrammed through overexpression of pluripotency factors and then induced for differentiation to establish reprogrammed MSC (Re-MSC) lines. We compared the in vitro growth characteristics, chondrogenesis for articular cartilage chondrocytes, and immunomodulatory capacity. We also evaluated the capability of Re-MSCs to repair articular cartilage damage in an animal model with spontaneous OA. Results Our results showed that Re-MSCs increased the in vitro proliferative capacity and improved chondrogenic differentiation toward articular cartilage-like chondrocyte phenotypes with increased THBS4 and SIX1 and decreased ALPL and COL10A1, compared to Pa-MSCs. In addition, Re-MSC-derived chondrocytes expressing elevated COL2A and COL2B were more mature than parental cell-derived ones. The enhancement in chondrogenesis of Re-MSC involves the upregulation of sonic hedgehog signaling. Moreover, Re-MSCs improved the repair of articular cartilage in an animal model of spontaneous OA. Conclusions Epigenetic reprogramming promotes MSCs harvested from OA patients to increase phenotypic characteristics and gain robust functions. In addition, Re-MSCs acquire an enhanced potential for articular cartilage repair. Our study here demonstrates that the reprogramming strategy provides a potential solution to the challenge of variation in MSC quality.


Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mazzotti ◽  
Teti ◽  
Falconi ◽  
Chiarini ◽  
Barboni ◽  
...  

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that strongly correlates with age and promotes the breakdown of joint cartilage and subchondral bone. There has been a surge of interest in developing cell-based therapies, focused particularly on the use of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) isolated from adult tissues. It seems that MSCs derived from synovial joint tissues exhibit superior chondrogenic ability, but their unclear distribution and low frequency actually limit their clinical application. To date, the influence of aging on synovial joint derived MSCs’ biological characteristics and differentiation abilities remains unknown, and a full understanding of the mechanisms involved in cellular aging is lacking. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the presence of age-related alterations in synovial fluid MSCs and their influence on the potential ability of MSCs to differentiate toward chondrogenic phenotypes. Synovial fluid MSCs, isolated from healthy equine donors from 3 to 40 years old, were cultured in vitro and stimulated towards chondrogenic differentiation for up to 21 days. An equine model was chosen due to the high degree of similarity of the anatomy of the knee joint to the human knee joint and as spontaneous disorders develop that are clinically relevant to similar human disorders. The results showed a reduction in cell proliferation correlated with age and the presence of age-related tetraploid cells. Ultrastructural analysis demonstrated the presence of morphological features correlated with aging such as endoplasmic reticulum stress, autophagy, and mitophagy. Alcian blue assay and real-time PCR data showed a reduction of efficiency in the chondrogenic differentiation of aged synovial fluid MSCs compared to young MSCs. All these data highlighted the influence of aging on MSCs’ characteristics and ability to differentiate towards chondrogenic differentiation and emphasize the importance of considering age-related alterations of MSCs in clinical applications.


2015 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 908-915 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas G Baboolal ◽  
Simon C Mastbergen ◽  
Elena Jones ◽  
Stuart J Calder ◽  
Floris P J G Lafeber ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 637-649
Author(s):  
Isabel Olmos Calvo ◽  
Eszter Fodor ◽  
Dorottya Kardos ◽  
István Hornyák ◽  
Adél Hinsenkamp ◽  
...  

The serum fraction of platelet-rich fibrin (hyperacute serum) has been shown to improve cartilage cell proliferation in in vitro osteoarthritic knee joint models. We hypothesize that hyperacute serum may be a potential regenerative therapeutic for osteoarthritic knees. In this study, the cytokine milieu at the synovial fluid of osteoarthritic knee joints exposed to hyperacute serum intraarticular injections was investigated. Patients with knee osteoarthritis received three injections of autologous hyperacute serum; synovial fluid was harvested before each injection and clinical monitoring was followed-up for 6 months. Forty osteoarthritic-related cytokines, growth factors and structural proteins from synovial fluid were quantified and analysed by Multivariate Factor Analysis. Hyperacute serum provided symptomatic relief regarding pain and joint stability for OA patients. Both patients “with” and “without effusion knees” had improved VAS, KOOS and Lysholm-Tegner scores 6 months after of hyperacute serum treatment. Synovial fluid analysis revealed two main clusters of proteins reacting together as a group, showing strong and significant correlations with their fluctuation patterns after hyperacute serum treatment. In conclusion, hyperacute serum has a positive effect in alleviating symptoms of osteoarthritic knees. Moreover, identified protein clusters may allow the prediction of protein expression, reducing the number of investigated proteins in future studies.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1072
Author(s):  
Enrico Ragni ◽  
Alessandra Colombini ◽  
Marco Viganò ◽  
Francesca Libonati ◽  
Carlotta Perucca Orfei ◽  
...  

Intra-articular administration of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs), either in vitro expanded or within adipose tissue-based products obtained at point-of-care, has gained popularity as innovative regenerative medicine approach for osteoarthritis (OA) treatment. ASCs can stimulate tissue repair and immunomodulation through paracrine factors, both soluble and extracellular vesicles (EV) embedded, collectively defining the secretome. Interaction with the degenerative/inflamed environment is a crucial factor in understanding the finely tuned molecular message but, to date, the majority of reports have described ASC-secretome features in resting conditions or under chemical stimuli far from the in vivo environment of degenerated OA joints. In this report, the secretory profile of ASCs treated with native synovial fluid from OA patients was evaluated, sifting 200 soluble factors and 754 EV-embedded miRNAs. Fifty-eight factors and 223 EV-miRNAs were identified, and discussed in the frame of cartilage and immune cell homeostasis. Bioinformatics gave a molecular basis for M2 macrophage polarization, T cell proliferation inhibition and T reg expansion enhancement, as well as cartilage protection, further confirmed in an in vitro model of OA chondrocytes. Moreover, a strong influence on immune cell chemotaxis emerged. In conclusion, obtained molecular data support the regenerative and immunomodulatory properties of ASCs when interacting with osteoarthritic joint environment.


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