Clinical and laboratory findings following transplantation of allogeneic adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in knee osteoarthritis, a brief report

Connect Tissue Res. 2022 Nov;63(6):663-674. doi: 10.1080/03008207.2022.2074841. Epub 2022 Jul 20.

Abstract

Background: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) injection has been proposed as an innovative treatment for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Since, allogeneic MSCs can be available as off-the-shelf products, they are preferable in regenerative medicine. Among different sources for MSCs, adipose-derived MSCs (AD-MSCs) appear to be more available.

Methods: Three patients with KOA were enrolled in this study. A total number of 100 × 106 AD-MSCs was injected intra-articularly, per affected knee. They were followed up for 6 months by the assessment of clinical outcomes, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and serum inflammatory biomarkers.

Results: The primary outcome of this study was safety and feasibility of allogeneic AD-MSCs injection during the 6 months follow-up. Fortunately, no serious adverse events (SAEs) were reported. Assessment of secondary outcomes of visual analogue scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and knee osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) indicated improvement in all patients. Comparison between baseline and endpoint findings of MRI demonstrated a slight improvement in two patients. In addition, decrease in serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) indicated the possibility of reduced cartilage degeneration. Moreover, quantification of serum interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels indicated that the host immune system immunomodulated after infusion of AD-MSCs.

Conclusion: Intra-articular injection of AD-MSCs is safe and could be effective in cartilage regeneration in KOA. Preliminary assessment after six-month follow-up suggests the potential efficacy of this intervention which would need to be confirmed in randomized controlled trials on a larger population.

Trial registration: This study was registered in the Iranian registry of clinical trials (https://en.irct.ir/trial/46) in 24 April 2018 with identifier IRCT20080728001031N23.

Keywords: Allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells; cartilage regeneration; inflammatory biomarkers; knee osteoarthritis; regenerative medicine.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronic Acid
  • Injections, Intra-Articular
  • Interleukin-10
  • Interleukin-6
  • Iran
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation* / methods
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells*
  • Osteoarthritis, Knee* / diagnostic imaging
  • Osteoarthritis, Knee* / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein
  • Interleukin-6
  • Interleukin-10
  • Hyaluronic Acid

Associated data

  • IRCT/IRCT20080728001031N23