Fundamental study on the chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of PLA cells on osteoarthritis of the knee

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K18530
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56020:Orthopedics-related
• Research Institution: University of Fukui
• Principal Investigator: Sakamoto Takumi 福井大学, 学術研究院医学系部門(附属病院部), 助教 (40634837)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 変形性膝関節症 / 軟骨

Outline of Final Research Achievements

With the increase in the elderly population, the number of patients with knee osteoarthritis (knee OA), including those with early onset, is enormous, and this is a problem that must be solved to extend healthy life expectancy. In Japan, cartilage regeneration therapy for knee OA using bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), embryonic stem cells (ES cells), and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) has been investigated, and now we have developed a method using processed fat-derived products that are even easier to obtain and have higher cellular activity than BMSCs In this study. Using adipose-derived processed adipose adsorbed cells (PLA cells), which are more readily available and have higher cellular activity than BMSCs, we investigated the effects of direct intra-articular injection of PLA cells on cartilage regeneration and protection, anti-inflammation and pain relief in early and advanced stages of knee OA.

Free Research Field

変形性膝関節症

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

今回の研究では二次性関節症動物モデルのPLA cell関節内注射が早期注射群では関節軟骨の残存をもたらしたが後期注射群では軟骨の残存はなかった。炎症性サイトカインの減少、疼痛関連物質の減少は、早期注射群および後期注射群の両群において、PLA cell関節内注射後に観察された。このことはPLA cellを用いたOA治療において、OAに対する軟骨再生・保護効果は早期のOAにしか見込めず、それよりも抗炎症・除痛効果において有用である事を示す結果であった。これはMIA誘発変形性関節症動物モデルにおける軟骨変性および疼痛減少に対するPLA cell関節内注射の治療効果を比較する最初の報告である。