The rise in obesity and increased risk of injury have surged the incidence of osteoarthritis. This joint disease particularly affects the elderly population. The multiple underlying mechanisms of the disease require a multifaceted approach that is absent in the current treatments, providing only temporary relief. An effective treatment of this debilitating disease with lasting effects can be found in stem cell therapy. This article discusses the disease, its mechanisms, and how stem cells help osteoarthritis patients.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a slowly progressing joint disease which manifests as joint pain, swelling, decreased range of motion, and stiffness. It reduces mobility and can advance to permanent disability. The deterioration of tissue can occur due to age, muscle weakness, and joint injury. Gender and obesity also play a role in the development of this disorder. These factors lead to primary osteoarthritis. Secondary osteoarthritis develops due to ligament or tendon injury as well as joint instability due to cartilage wear and tear.
Excessive physical strain can cause mechanical osteoarthritis, whereas structural osteoarthritis occurs due to weak cartilage, resulting in tissue abnormalities and degradation. Osteoarthritis mostly affects the knee but can also impact the hips, elbow, vertebral, carpal, and tarsal joints. The mechanisms behind this deteriorating disease include:
- Overproduction of matrix-degrading enzymes
- Increased inflammation that causes tissue damage
- High levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to cell damage and death in the tissue.
Gradually, the deterioration expands to the surrounding ligament, tendon, bone, and synovial fluid, transforming osteoarthritis into a systemic disease.
Stem Cells
Standard treatments only aim at reducing pain and further functional loss. None of them can restore the tissue damage. Regenerative medicine, especially stem cells, can restore the damaged tissue. They can replicate and transform into different types of cells. These abilities are effective for the treatment of degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis. Several stem cells have been identified, but the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have gained an edge over them. In addition to regeneration, MSCs also possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune regulatory properties that confer a multi-dimensional action.
How do stem cells help osteoarthritis patients?
The end-stage Treatment of Osteoarthritis is knee and hip replacement surgery. Although the success rate of the surgical treatment is high, it is not effective if the disorder arises from muscle weakness. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for osteoarthritis provide a myriad of benefits:
- Transform into cartilage cells, also known as differentiation.
- Induce healing mechanisms of the joints via paracrine signalling.
- Exert anti-inflammatory effects.
- Consume ROS to prevent further damage.
- Enhance blood vessel formation.
- Shift the immune response to the repair process.
Research has revealed that MSCs disappear after administration, but their effect remains. It indicates that MSCs alter the microenvironment of the joint to cause regeneration.
Moreover, MSCs also trigger the healing pathways of the tissue, enhancing repair and recovery. Additionally, they can be extracted from diverse sources, are easier to acquire and culture for in vitro expansion. MSCs provide a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment for osteoarthritis. The cells can be infused via intravenous or intraarticular routes.
Clinical Evidence
MSCs can be obtained from patients. However, some scientists believe that osteoarthritis might cause MSC dysfunction. Therefore, MSCs isolated from a donor are preferable for treatment. Numerous clinical trials showed no evidence of any adverse complications due to the therapy. A trial in Australia used MSC therapy in 329 patients. It demonstrated statistically as well as clinically significant improvements in pain and functional capacity ranging up to 70.2% and 44.8%, respectively, within 12 months of treatment for mild to severe forms of disease. The quality of life also improved by 75.8%. A high percentage of the patients didn’t even require knee replacement surgery after treatment.
MSC-Derived Exosomes
The studies have suggested exosomes confer the effects of MSCs. These exosomes are microscopic vesicles that encapsulate the properties of MSCs except for differentiation. Therefore, exosomes can exert an impact similar to MSCs in a cell-free manner. Therefore, exosomes do not carry the risk associated with MSCs, which gives them an added advantage. Scientists are already exploring their therapeutic applications. So far, the results are promising, showcasing the prospects of exosomes.
Conclusion
Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease affecting millions globally. The standard medications only provide relief to pain and symptoms without improving the damage. Stem cells help osteoarthritis patients. MSC therapy, with its regenerative potential, has the capacity to improve the damage and restore functional loss. Clinical trials have proven the effectiveness of therapy in terms of pain and function. No reports of any adverse events with the therapy have been seen. The patients didn’t need the surgical solution anymore. With its proven benefits, MSC therapy has redefined the therapeutic landscape. Advancells has been the leading manufacturer of MSCs for years and has gained recognition for its premium quality stem cells so that you can reap the benefits of stem cell therapy.
