Current Insights and Future Directions of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the prevailing manifestation of degenerative arthritis and is primarily characterized by the erosion of articular cartilage and its association with subchondral bone. This condition poses a significant burden on healthcare systems globally. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which originate from the mesoderm, have the capacity to differentiate into cells of mesodermal lineage tissues, suggesting their potential for treating ailments such as OA. MSCs can modulate immune responses and positively impact the microenvironment of diseased tissues by interacting directly with cells or secreting various factors. These actions can trigger inherent regenerative processes within the OA joint. The utilization of targeted gene-modified MSC-based therapy, facilitated by engineered constructs from cell-seeded scaffolds, holds promise for augmenting cartilage regeneration in OA. Nevertheless, the administration of intra-articular MSC transplantation sans scaffolds has emerged as a more promising option for OA treatment. This paper consolidates the present understanding of MSC-based therapy for OA prevention or treatment, particularly focusing on direct intra-articular MSC injection for OA management. MSCs possess distinctive immunomodulatory and regenerative attributes, rendering them an appealing therapeutic avenue for alleviating cartilage damage and mitigating pain. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current advancements and prospective avenues in MSC therapy for knee OA.