Scientists at the University of York have made a stem cell discovery that paves the way for a stem cell treatment for osteoarthritis. Working in conjunction with colleagues from the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam, researchers have identified the stem cells that can regenerate tissue including cartilage and bone.
The stem cells that can repair these types of tissue are mixed in with human bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) and look similar to those cells. To find the stem cells with regenerative potential, researchers isolated the cells and identified their different properties. From this analysis they discovered which MSCs were capable of regenerating particular types of tissue.
During their analysis the University of York team also discovered a rare subset of stem cells that may play an important role in immune system function.
Lead researcher Dr Paul Genever suggests that the analysis will help scientists understand which stem cells can repair damage from osteoarthritis. Dr Genever said: “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”
A stem cell treatment for osteoarthritis is very important as the disease affects a huge number of people — more than 8 million in the United Kingdom alone. According to Dr Stephen Simpson from Arthritis Research UK: “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”
From: Stem cell discovery paves way for targeted treatment for osteoarthritis
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