Intra-osseous infiltration of adipose mesenchymal stromal cells and plasma rich in growth factors to treat acute full depth cartilage defects in a rabbit model: Serum osteoarthritis biomarkers and macroscopical assessment

Marta Torres-Torrillas; Elena Damiá; Pau Peláez; Laura Miguel-Pastor; Belén Cuervo; José J Cerón; José M Carrillo; Mónica Rubio; Joaquín J Sopena

doi:10.3389/fvets.2022.1057079

Intra-osseous infiltration of adipose mesenchymal stromal cells and plasma rich in growth factors to treat acute full depth cartilage defects in a rabbit model: Serum osteoarthritis biomarkers and macroscopical assessment

Front Vet Sci. 2022 Dec 20:9:1057079. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1057079. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Marta Torres-Torrillas^{1

2}, Elena Damiá^{1

2}, Pau Peláez^{1

2}, Laura Miguel-Pastor^{1

2}, Belén Cuervo^{1

2}, José J Cerón³, José M Carrillo^{1

2}, Mónica Rubio^{1

2}, Joaquín J Sopena^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Bioregenerative Medicine and Applied Surgery Research Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, CEU Cardenal Herrera University, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain.
² García Cugat Foundation, CEU-UCH Chair of Medicine and Regenerative Surgery, CEU Cardenal Herrera University, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain.
³ Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis, Interlab-UMU, Regional Campus of International Excellence, Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.

Abstract

Introduction: Intra-articular infiltration of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) and adipose mesenchymal stromal cells (AMSCs) are known to inhibit osteoarthritis progression. However, in severely affected patients, the treatment cannot reach the deeper layers of the articular cartilage; thus, its potential is limited. To overcome this limitation, intra-osseous infiltrations have been suggested. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of intra-osseous infiltration therapies on serum biomarkers of osteoarthritis and to assess cartilage regeneration macroscopically.

Materials and methods: A total of 80 rabbits were divided into four groups based on the intra-osseous treatment administered on the day of surgery: control, PRGF, AMSCs and a combination of PRGF + AMSCs. In addition, all groups received a single intra-articular administration of PRGF on the same day. Serum biomarker levels were measured before infiltration and 28-, 56-, and 84-days post infiltration, and macroscopical assessment was conducted at 56- and 84-days follow-up post infiltration.

Results: In the PRGF + AMSCs group, significantly lower concentrations of hyaluronic acid and type II collagen cleavage neoepitope were recorded at all time points during the study, followed by PRGF, AMSCs and control groups. Regarding macroscopical assessment, lower scores were obtained in PRGF + AMSCs group at all study times.

Discussion: The results suggest that the combination of intra-articular PRGF with intra-osseous PRGF or AMSCs achieves better results in rabbits with acute chondral defects and that intra-osseous infiltration is a safe procedure.

Keywords: adipose mesenchymal stromal cells; articular cartilage; biomarkers; bioregenerative therapies; chondral defect; osteoarthritis; platelet rich plasma.