Comparison of tissue engineered construct (TEC) derived of human stem cells from dental pulp and synovia on articular cartilage regeneration: a translational study

Abstract

Chondral lesions are highly prevalent and may result in articular biomechanics and homeostasis disturbances. Despite various techniques, it is still not possible to regenerate cartilage or to produce normal hyaline cartilage. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) may be a promising cartilage treatment. They can be isolated from multiple sources, including the knee fat pad and synovia (FPSC) and Dental Pulp (DPSC). The Tissue-Engineered Construct (TEC), a novel three-dimensional (3D) scaffold-free delivery system, was developed to optimize cell proliferation and differentiation. At the present moment, there is no laboratory or translational study evaluating TEC from DPSC. Therefore, the primary outcome of this study was to compare histological and radiological (MRI) findings of TECs from DPSC and FPSC in a large animal model. Methods: MSC were characterized by flow cytometry. MSC were cultured in medium with ascorbic acid (Asc-2P). Fourteen Brazilian miniature pigs (BR-1) were used and bilateral 6-mm diameter, full-thickness chondral defect were created in each posterior limb. The protocol consisted of two groups (DPSC and FPSC) where one defect was implanted with TEC and in the other knee defect was left empty. Animals were euthanized 6 months post-surgery. Macroscopic and histology analysis were performed. Quality and quantity image evaluations were tested with 7-T MRI. Clinical relevance: FPSC and DPSC derived TEC may be a promising method to promote articular cartilage repair in clinical practice, and the complete experiment shall be accomplished. (AU)