Stem Cells for Treatment of Articular Cartilage Defects and Osteoarthritis

Author(s): Shipin Zhang, Jun Sheng Wong, Fulya Ustunkan, Wern Cui Chu, Hee Hon Tan, Eng Hin Lee and Wei Seong Toh

Pp: 255-288 (34)

* (Excluding Mailing and Handling)

Abstract

Articular cartilage is prone to damage from sports injuries/aging, which often progresses to osteoarthritis, an inflammatory and degenerative joint disease characterized by degradation of the entire joint, leading to pain and disability. Current pharmaceutical and surgical interventions relieve pain and improve joint function, but the long-term results are not satisfactory. More recently, stem cell-based strategies that include direct intraarticular injection of mesenchymal stem cells and implantation of tissue-engineered cartilage grafts have been developed. This chapter will first review the cartilage structure, composition, and pathology, and then summarize the most recent advances in applying mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of cartilage defects and osteoarthritis.

Keywords: Cartilage, Clinical trials, Osteoarthritis, Stem cells, Tissue engineering, Tissue regeneration.

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