Cartilage Repairing Stem Cells Identified

Scientists at the University of York announce, via a paper in Stem Cell Reports, that they have identified the individual stem cells that can regenerate tissue, cartilage and bone. The work was carried out working with colleagues at the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam.

Because the stem cells are similar in appearance and are mixed with human bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) scientists had difficulty distinguishing between them. It was the York researchers who isolated individual MSCs and analyzed their different properties. This allowed the researchers to identify those stem cells which are capable of repairing damaged cartilage or joint tissue, thus opening the way for improved treatment for arthritis.

Paul Genever, M.D., who led the research at York, said: “While stem cell therapy is an exciting new development for the treatment for osteoarthritis, up to now it has been something of a lottery because we did not know the precise properties of each of the cells. This project has helped us to establish which cells are good at regenerating tissue, cartilage and bone, respectively. It will help in the search to develop more targeted therapies for arthritis patients.”

Co-Lead author James Fox, M.D., said “Working with colleagues across the Arthritis Research UK Tissue Engineering Centre will help to bring our discovery closer to patient treatment”.

The organization Arthritis Research UK funded the research. Director of Research at the charity, Stephen Simpson, M.D., said: “There are eight million people in the UK living with the pain and disability caused by osteoarthritis. We are fighting to find better treatments and one day, a cure. This research is exciting and promising. Identifying specific stem cells that could help the damaged joint to repair itself takes us a step closer to our aim of developing an injectable, safe, stem cell therapy for people with osteoarthritis.”