Abstract
Development of novel therapeutic approaches to repair fracture non-unions remains a critical clinical necessity. We evaluated the capacity of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) to induce healing in a fracture non-union model in rats. In addition, we placed these findings in the context of parallel studies using human bone marrow MSCs (hBM-MSCs) or a no cell control group (n=10-12 per group). Preliminary studies demonstrated that both for hESC-derived MSCs and hBM-MSCs, optimal induction of fracture healing required in vitro osteogenic differentiation of these cells. Based on biomechanical testing of fractured femurs, maximum torque, and stiffness were significantly greater in the hBM-MSC as compared to the control group that received no cells; values for these parameters in the hESC-derived MSC group were intermediate between the hBM-MSC and control groups, and not significantly different from the control group. However, some evidence of fracture healing was evident by X-ray in the hESC-derived MSC group. Our results thus indicate that while hESC-derived MSCs may have potential to induce fracture healing in non-unions, hBM-MSCs function more efficiently in this process. Additional studies are needed to further modify hESCs to achieve optimal fracture healing by these cells.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1804-1811 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of Orthopaedic Research |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2011 |
Keywords
- bone repair
- embryonic stem cells
- fracture non-union
- mesenchymal stem/stromal cells
- osteogenic
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine