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Egyptian Rheumatology and Rehabilitation
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The regenerative effect of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells in a rabbit model of osteoarthritis

Egyptian Rheumatology and Rehabilitation volume 42, pages 163–169 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disorder characterized by changes in subchondral and periarticular bone. The limited number of therapeutic choices for articular injury and disease has increased the need for stem cells as a biological replacement for damaged cartilage. Umbilical cord (UC) blood cells are easily available and less immunogenic than other sources of stem cells, and there are no ethical concerns surrounding their use. These cells are isolated from young donors. Human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (HUCB-MSCs) appear to be an ideal candidate for cartilage regeneration.

Objective

The aim of the study was to investigate the regenerative effect of HUCB stem cells on degenerated articular cartilage in New Zealand white rabbits experimentally induced with OA.

Materials and methods

This study was performed on 42 New Zealand white rabbits. They were surgically induced with OA in the left knees by cutting the anterior cruciate ligament. After confirmation of the development of OA histopathologically, we delivered a single dose of HUCB-MSCs directly intra-articularly in the cell-treated groups. Controls were injected with only suspension media. Histopathological tests were performed 8 and 24 weeks after injection.

Results

Histopathologically, 8 weeks after the injection, cell-treated rabbits showed better cartilage quality and lower degree of degeneration, whereas 24 weeks after the injection all parameters in the cell-treated groups were significantly better.

Conclusion

HUCB-MSCs are a promising stem cell source for cartilage tissue formation and can decrease the development of OA in rabbits.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

    Ola Gharbia, Abd Elmoaty Afify, Sherif El Bassiony MD & Amir Youssef

  2. Department of Clinical Pathology, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

    Hassan Abd El Ghaffar

  3. Department of Pathology, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

    Amira K. El Hawary

  4. Department of Medical Experimental Research Center (MERC), Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

    Ahmed Lotfy, Aziza Elsayed & Amel A. Mahmoud

Authors
  1. Ola Gharbia
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  2. Abd Elmoaty Afify
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  3. Hassan Abd El Ghaffar
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  4. Sherif El Bassiony MD
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  5. Amira K. El Hawary
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  6. Ahmed Lotfy
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  7. Aziza Elsayed
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  8. Amel A. Mahmoud
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  9. Amir Youssef
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sherif El Bassiony MD.

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Gharbia, O., Elmoaty Afify, A., El Ghaffar, H.A. et al. The regenerative effect of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells in a rabbit model of osteoarthritis. Egypt Rheumatol Rehabil 42, 163–169 (2015). https://doi.org/10.4103/1110-161X.168151

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/1110-161X.168151

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