Cell therapy and rehabilitation for articular cartilage regeneration

Abstract

Articular cartilage injury affects many people in the world. However, the articular cartilage tissue is difficult to restore because it has not blood vessels and neurons. Recently, cell therapy has been shown to affect cartilage regeneration. Autologous chondrocyte implantation （ACI） is one of the most common therapies and also performed in Japan under the medical insurance coverage. It is reported that ACI for cartilage defects relieves pain, improves function, and restores the cartilage. Mesenchymal stem cell （MSC） therapy is also performed worldwide. MSC therapy also relieves pain, improves function, restores the cartilage like ACI. However, both ACI and MSC therapy are limited to cartilage restoration and functional recovery. Mechanical stress is an important key factor that facilitates cartilage regeneration, so rehabilitation involving mechanical stress could have synergistic effects. However, evidence on the rehabilitation program after cell therapy is still insufficient. Further verification will be necessary in the future.