Mesenchymal stromal cells and platelet-riach fibrin membrane for the treatment of osteochondral defect in the rabbit

Cartilage has limited self-repair ability due to its complex structure and chondrocytes' relatively low metabolic activities. Functional repair of articular cartilage defects is a significant challenge for cartilage tissue engineering. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) and platelet-rich fibrin membrane (PRFM) in repairing damaged articular cartilage in rabbit. They were subjected to osteochondral lesion and randomly into five groups: Group A, evaluated immediately after injury; Group B, natural evolution the injury; Group C, MSC; Group D, PRFM and Group E, MSC+ PRFM. Animals in Group A were euthanized after removing the cartilaginous flap, while animals in Groups B, C, D, and E were euthanized 60 days. The regeneration of the lesion was evaluated by analyzing its residual extension, as well as the density of chondrocytes and chondroblasts in the regenerated tissue adjacent to the lesion. Results, the Group E (MSC + PRFM) showed a greater reduction in the lesion size and a greater density of chondrocytes and chondroblasts in the regenerated and adjacent tissue compared to the other groups. Our results indicate that the combination of MSC and PRFM can successfully resurface the defect with cartilage and restore the subchondral bone in the specie studied, being effective in reducing hyaline cartilage defects; however, the combination of MSC and PRFM products might be more or less appropriate for treating different types of tissues and pathologies. The clinical efficacy of PRP remains under debate. Therefore, further research is needed at both the basic science and clinical levels.