Human Suprapatellar Fat Pad-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Induce Chondrogenesis and Cartilage Repair in a Model of Severe Osteoarthritis

Abstract EN

Cartilage degeneration is associated with degenerative bone and joint processes in severe osteoarthritis (OA).

Spontaneous cartilage regeneration is extremely limited.

Often the treatment consists of a partial or complete joint implant.

Adipose-derived stem cell (ASC) transplantation has been shown to restore degenerated cartilage; however, regenerative differences of ASC would depend on the source of adipose tissue.

The infra- and suprapatellar fat pads surrounding the knee offer a potential autologous source of ASC for patients after complete joint substitution.

When infrapatellar- and suprapatellar-derived stromal vascular fractions (SVF) were compared, a significantly higher CD105 (+) population was found in the suprapatellar fat.

In addition, the suprapatellar SVF exhibited increased numbers of colony formation units and a higher population doubling in culture compared to the infrapatellar fraction.

Both the suprapatellar- and infrapatellar-derived ASC were differentiated in vitro into mature adipocytes, osteocytes, and chondrocytes.

However, the suprapatellar-derived ASC showed higher osteogenic and chondrogenic efficiency.

Suprapatellar-derived ASC transplantation in a severe OA mouse model significantly diminished the OA-associated knee inflammation and cartilage degenerative grade, significantly increasing the production of glycosaminoglycan and inducing endogenous chondrogenesis in comparison with the control group.

Overall, suprapatellar-derived ASC offer a potential autologous regenerative treatment for patients with multiple degenerative OA.